Showing posts with label Junk Exchange. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Junk Exchange. Show all posts

June 13, 2014

A Perfect Pair, I Think...

Would you care for a cuppa tea?
I had so much fun putting the finishing touches on our Cloud seating area.
Of course, the first quilt I ever made - and my favorite nap quilt - was lovingly
draped across the back of the sofa. It's a chenille four-patch pattern and so comfy!

I made one more trip to the studio to create a companion pillow cover for the lovely
British flag cover. That one was created for me by my friend, Troy Rash at Junk
Exchange. He teamed canvas with ivory and bleached muslin to make it.
Sit down and make yourself comfortable.
 I used the same fabrics for my American flag that Troy used in his British version.
My original plan was to sew fifty ivory buttons where the stars should be, but I
asked Handsome what he thought of the idea. He said it wouldn't be a good place
to rest your head, so I went to Plan B...machine sew fifty primitive stars instead.
Yes, dear. There are fifty of them. We each counted THREE times, just to be sure!
I purposely didn't want them to be perfectly lined up, the same size or even the
same shape. I wanted them to be as interesting and varied as the states they
represent. I didn't have a problem doing that! Some are wonky, some are tiny,
but there is one for each and every state in our great Union. Edges are frayed,
nothing is perfect, but they're all pulled together in one place and honored here.
Before I head off to start stocking the Cloud, you might want to go over and
check out Troy's Etsy shop (here). He creates some of the most wonderful,
beautiful things. He also has regular booths at Canton (TX), where you can
meet him in person and save shipping costs by taking your purchases with
you. When I see pictures of his space and items for sale, I nearly faint!
Direct link to Junk Exchange Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/junkexchange?ref=em
If you'd like your own shabby British Flag pillow cover like mine, just send Troy
a convo at Etsy. He'll create a custom cover and give you the 15% discount, too! 
Thanks, Troy!
DonnaAcornSignature

May 28, 2013

The Alto Sewing Machine Prototype...

 I was recently visiting a favorite blog - Cactus Needle Quilting - when I saw
Nedra's post about this innovative design for a sewing machine. I was so
intrigued that I went to other sites to learn more about it and how it works.

It was designed by Sarah Dickens of the UK for the 2012 James Dyson Award
program, and as far as I can tell it's not yet in production. It doesn't have a foot
pedal to control the machine, it simply uses pressure on the base of the machine
(near the faceplate for the bobbin) to make it sew. It also has a straight path 
from the spool on the right side of the machine all the way to the needle.
You also find a huge amount of free space to the right of the needle.

I don't see bells and whistles like "back and forward" buttons or lights, but
I think the machine is beautiful and would certainly have a practical use.
I mean, wouldn't it be beautiful for traveling in the Flying Cloud?

When I put this up on my FaceBook page, my friend Troy from Junk
Exchange mentioned that the wood would probably age to a beautiful
patina over the years, too. (He always thinks of cool stuff like that!)

I thought you might enjoy a video to tell you a little more about the machine.
(link: http://youtu.be/L7ohEWr9g4w)
What do you think? Would you like to have one if they are ever produced?
I think I would, but the price would have to be right.
DonnaAcornSignature