Wednesday, June 30, 2010

New- old machine, and painting some more....

Sunday was my family reunion in my hometown. It was also the day of the estate sale for my uncle's household goods, which was sort of sad.  I bid on and bought this old McCalls sewing machine of my aunt's (she died several years ago). I asked them if this is the machine she sewed with because I knew she had sewn off and on for most of her life. I knew she had made quilts too. They said this was the only machine they found. Looks like my uncle, who was a wonderful woodcraftsman fitted it into this table, but it is not the original table.
I was so excited to get it home and try it out. It is in such good condition. Hardly a scratch on it. I want to do some research to see how old it is. I have heard of McCalls machines, but don't know much about them. If anyone can fill me in I would appreciate it.
 It sews beautifully. I think it will be fun to use it. I have no idea if this machine was hers originally or if she inherited it, or bought it at an auction. But I know she used it so it will be fun to sew with it. Now to find it a home here.
 Now that the floor is in, I have been doing some painting. This picture shows the yellow woodwork around the windows in my kitchen. I have 2 large windows and one smaller one over the sink. All the woodwork in the kitchen was this color. I repainted the doors and woodwork around them at one time, but never the windows...cafe curtains pretty much  covered them & I guess I was in a hurry to get back to sewing....I don't know.

                                                                                                                                                                      
 
Anyway, I repainted all the woodwork yesterday, including the windows. It is an off white, though looks pretty white in the picture below. I hate painting around windows, as I have to do a lot of taping or I will paint the window. But love how it turned out. 

The rounded doorway below goes into the dining room. Isn't it weird that they built this house with that rounded doorway there, and a regular door into what was the pantry (door next to it) that is now a bathroom. There is a built in hutch on the other side of the wall, right next to the doorway, with huge woodwork, that's why the wall sticks out there. Not sure why it was done that way.
I couldn't get a decent picture of the windows because it was a sunny day yesterday and too much light was coming in.
It looks nice, though and I am happy to have it done. Today I am painting the top half of the bathroom, then the bathroom will be done. The bottom half is paneling which I painted last week. Then it is on to the kitchen walls. I am toying with some ideas of colors. I have yellow counter tops, so since I didn't put in new, have to do something that looks good with them.

I weeded part of the garden this morning since the weeds were taller than the flowers. I didn't want to have all the fun today, so saved some for tomorrow....

7 comments:

Angie Kritenbrink said...

You could just paint the paneling white while you are at it. Paint the cabinets too and get some new handles for them that are more modern! And take down the wallpaper and paint the walls pale yellow! I can have as many ideas as I want since I live 2000 miles away, haha!

SubeeSews said...

I am no expert...but the Art Noveau head plate means that it is pre 1940. It matches the head on my Featherweight who was born in 1932.
XOXOXO Subee

Barb said...

When you find out more about your machine, I would like to know as well....you are one busy gal!

Chris H said...

Wow what a neat old machine... and well done on all the painting!

sewfunquilts said...

Great post about the machine and your painting. You can come to my house to finish up my kitchen when you're finished with yours.

Jan said...

Oh Jean! What an awesome sewing machine ... a true family heirloom!!! Love the fact that it still sews so well :) Great job in the kitchen too!!! A very pretty room :)

Micki said...

I have a featherweight and love it too. Your machine looks in great nic.
Micki