A's craftings

I just received my new sewing frame and I can't wait to finally finish the loads of things I've started over the years. I'm hoping if it's sitting out in the open, I'll be more inclined to work on it when I have a few minutes here and there.



I purchased it from hearthsidecraftworks.com

Ooh, a new thread to follow. Welcome!

What does one do with a sewing frame? I Googled it and everything that came up had to do with bookbinding. I thought it might be used for sewing, like with fabric. I look forward to seeing how you put it to use.

Oh, think like a quilting frame but on a small scale. It either uses bars for a large tapestry to roll on or it has vice locks to grasp your hoop. It also has a chart holder and thread tray. I think herrschners.com sells a floor stand that is similar.

I am super excited! I have a few cross stitch to finish first and then maybe some embroidery work. I also have some curtains to finish for the guest room but that doesn't need the frame. So much sewing... :D

>3 genesisdiem: that sounds nice. I have a large needlepoint project gathering dust that would benefit from something like that. I set it aside ages ago due to aging eyes and poor lighting.

I am hoping it will help with my arthritis so that I don't have to grip the hoop so tightly. This new frame has a block on the center post that I can attach my lighted magnifier to. The light is on a swing arm that can be raised and lowered. It has helped so much with being able to see the tiny weave.

Welcome! That's a really nice frame. I wish I'd had something like that when I was still doing needlework. Can't wait to see the projects you finish.

Is this like the ones the ladies used in old movies ? They would sit, do needlework, and talk.
That is great for your projects.

What a great room to work in with all that light behind you! This looks like a really useful frame. Could you please take a picture from the chair where you would be sitting, so we can picture it in operation?

Is that a collection of useful books beside you, the kind this group's members spend hours poring over?

Sitting view. I'm using the basting bars because I am doing a small piece but they can be replaced to the clamp bars for hoops and frames. Everything is adjustable and the frame fits over the chair arms and my knees.:


Sewing shelf. The small booklets are pattern books and magazines for xstitch mostly:

>1 genesisdiem: Late to the party! Welcome, A! What an interesting frame! and yes, what a comfortable set-up. And very nice sewing shelves. I think we all like to look at our shelves and see ourselves in them, and a certain kind of history. Looking forward to seeing your projects.

>9 genesisdiem: Thanks for the photos. The frame resembles a much loved frame in this part of the world, known as a Cheticamp frame, but yours looks better finished and more substantial.

Always fun to see others' book shelves!

>11 SassyLassy: This one was made in Alberta, I think. It sat for days in customs bc it was a heavier shipment. It's good solid wood but it currently still has that waxy smell from the sealant(?).

I'll try to find some photos of earlier projects I have completed to post until I finish this one.

I've been away to visit my mother who fell and broke her leg. I took her a plastic canvas project to work on whilst she's stuck in a chair for awhile. I couldn't work on anything because I was busy keeping house, etc but here is a quick update on previously completed projects.

Two xstitch (probably from Dimesions) I did for the guest bath.



A mirror I did for the guest bath. It took forever to glue the shells on and then it was so heavy we had to brace it with a board underneath.


An apron I made from a pattern when I was teaching machine basics to a group of homeschoolers.


A fabric canvas set I glued up for my mother's kitchen.


The old sewing machine she had in a attic that I "borrowed" for my house. I think my Brother machine is fine for basic sewing but for a lot of things the older machines just seem to work a lot better. I think this one is from the '70s or '80s.


A new shirt I was gifted.

>13 genesisdiem: You've been busy! I so admire you for embroidering, that's not a craft I'm ever going to have enough patience for.

I agree with you about the older vs. newer sewing machines. I have a Brothers I got as a gift a few years ago but barely use it, instead I borrow my mother's Bernina from the 80's. Not only is it remarkably stronger, it also feels more intuitive to use (though that might be because it's the machine I learnt to sew on). So I'm constantly checking for old Berninas for sale.

A Kenmore was my first sewing machine I bought when I moved out of my parents into my own apartment way back when. That one looks very similar.

>13 genesisdiem: You really have been busy! Those are all lovely. Love the cross stitch. Does your mom's love of the ocean come from her living near it?

Your Kenmore reminds me nostalgically of my first sewing machine was a Kenmore, bought in '78. It was a workhorse. Eventually, I tried to replace it with a fancy Singer, which turned out to be junk, so I invested in a Elna with some convenient bells and whistles, and it has been a workhorse like that old Kenmore.

>14 PawsforThought: I mostly xstitch when my husband is watching sports. :)

>16 avaland: My husband was in the navy so we lived beachside often. A lot of pieces went to my parents' house when we were moving around a alot.

I do have a Singer overlock serger that I picked up still in the original box at a yard sale. It has a VHS howto video included! But I haven't had a project to use it on yet.

I'd really like to have an old treadle Singer but every time I see them at sales, they're upwards of $500 or so. But I have used one for leather, denim, and really thick quilt batting and they work great.