POTHOLDERS...Plus

The Fantastic Featherweight

2012-01-29T14:07:00.000-08:00

If you are a quilter, chances are you already know this title. Singer Featherweights are all the rage among quilters these days – and for good reason. They are a sturdy, portable, easily maintained and competent little vintage sewing machine.

We recently acquired a Featherweight for a fraction of the average pricing (around $200 to $600); it purrs quietly and has taken its rightful place in the sewing room.

Last year we began searching the net for information on Featherweights and other vintage sewing machines since we seemed to be collecting older Singers from 1946 through 1982 from local auctions. Today, I am amazed at the burgeoning websites and interest in vintage sewing machines – and sewing, even in the younger generation over the past year. Thread-banger websites are now popular among the younger folks and the notion of upgrading old garments into new ones is a blossoming idea. With the economy in strained and increasingly painful throes of shrinking values, this idea will flourish and aid many people with additional inexpensive garments, as well as helping out our overflowing landfills.

The fact that sewing and using vintage machines is spreading and growing warms my heart and reminds me of my grandparents' and parents' ideas during the Depression. To my way of thinking, this mode of thinking is frugal and valuable during any economic turn.

We’ve found two books on the Featherweights, pictured below;

The Featherweight 221 and I , David McCallum

Featherweight 221, The Perfect Portable, Nancy Johnson-Sebro

The former book is extremely detailed with clear and precise diagrams and appears to cover most aspects of cleaning, repairing and refurbishing Featherweights. David McCallum and his wife Sharon, host a wonderful website, filled with available Featherweight parts and information. Their blog contains tips and tricks with this amazing little machine. They are both avid quilters and I can vouch for their amazing customer service and genuine caring toward their customers and their business.

The latter book is less specific about repairs and much more detailed on the history of the Featherweight. Nancy addresses some Featherweight myths and explains each of the particular Featherweights in terms of their manufacturing, here and internationally. Nancys books are numerous and she is well known in the quilting arena.

As time passes, and we grow and learn more information on cleaning, refurbishing and repairing these jewels of the sewing world, we will share more information and possibly some for other vintage machines. We have a Singer model 66 already running and a Singer model 128, quietly hiding in the closet awaiting it’s turn to rise to it’s functioning position on the sewing table.

As always, our purpose here is to share, learn, support and enjoy the sewing arena. If you have thoughts, suggestions, sewing stories or any related information you want to share, please leave a comment or reach us at daniellesimone0@gmail.com.

On behalf of Potholdersplus and all the lowly potholders in the world, remember…”there’s always room for one more.”

Mama, Am I Pretty?

2011-12-07T17:55:00.000-08:00

As you crochet your newest, prettiest potholder, or put together an intricately layered, pretty quilted one, consider the following poem about pretty.

This poem is taken directly from my new, favorite author's website, barkingspiderspoetry.com. C. J. Heck writes, publishes and speaks to children of the world. Her insights are deep and meaningful, her talents - obvious.

Mama, Am I Pretty? - (from "Barking Spiders 2")

Mama, am I pretty?
"Why do you ask?" She said.
She held me gently to her
and kissed me lightly on my head.

"Your clothes are neatly ironed,
your face and hands are clean.
You're such a sweet child, little one,
what does your question mean?

Mama, am I pretty?
I really need to know.
Am I pretty like the other girls
at school where we all go?

"You have a very loving heart.
You're gentle, kind and good.
Your friends all think the world of you,
anybody would."

But Mama, am I pretty?
Sometimes kids point or stare.
I've got these real thick glasses
that I wish I didn't wear.

Mama said my time would come,
be patient and I'd see.
The things that really matter
were there, inside of me.

Mama! AM I PRETTY?
I didn't mean to shout ...
Then mama smiled and told me,
"Sweetheart, yes, inside and out."

Consider one of C. J.'s books as a perfect gift for your favorite child(ren) this holiday. Barking Spiders, and other such stuff is available at this link: http://www.barkingspiderspoetry.com/Store.html

Midwest Book Review comments on Barking Spiders: "...Often funny, sometimes introspective, always honest, these poems form a brilliant introduction for young readers to the magic of poetry and rhyme."

We so often use words like pretty and beautiful. What does that really mean? C. J. says,

"That's beautiful!  This is what we say or think when we see the sun rise or set over the ocean, see a spectacular view, or a good-looking man or woman. But what we should ask is, where does the appreciation of that beauty originate? Where does our ability to understand beauty come from? It's right there, in our own consciousness."

Visit C. J.'s website, read her interviews, get to know a lady who Loves children and respects and understands the joys of Nature and the Universe that we all share.

Enjoy more information about C. J. and her profound writing from www.writerthoughts.com. You don't have to be a child to enjoy C. J.; check out her e-zine articles, guaranteed to leave a footprint or three on your heart.

Potholder Filling

2011-06-15T11:46:00.000-07:00

http://quilting.about.com/b/2007/12/18/tell-us-your-potholder-making-techniques.htm

A quick post to link you to the above site for some interesting ways to line potholders.

Janet Wickell writes many interesting quilting articles and is easy to understand, As well, she responds to her people who comment - a rare on-line courtesy. The comments in her article site above show some money-saving and easy ways to accomplish potholder fillings.

Here's a link to an interesting and sturdy-looking potholder from an old pair of jeans, that serves as an oven mitt, as well.

Let us know how you fill your potholders..to give that "old time" safety, assuring you receive no red spots or blisters along with that tasty recipe you just brewed up for your family!

You can never have enough potholders...there's always room for one more.

Helpful Hints for Potholder Batting/Filling

2011-04-30T07:22:00.000-07:00

The inside of your potholder is the most important part, obviously.

http://www.ufo-rphanage.com/potholder_hints.shtml

Found this well-written, informative site on potholder filling/batting. Looking through some of the ideas listed there might add to your potholder toolbox for later creations.

-I use Insul-Bright and find a double layer is necessary. The potholders made with one layer worked for awhile until they had to deal with a very hot pan; ouch! Lesson learned.

-Old toweling for my potholders was cumbersome/thick, but fairly heat resistant.

-Silence Cloth sounds multipurpose - for many uses. Please comment if you've used it and what your thoughts are.

This link, http://tipnut.com/pieced-pot-holders/, is simply a neat potholder & recipe book pattern I tripped onto during my batting travels online. Thought it might fit your next creative urge! This pattern calls for simple flannel as the innards of their creations. Let me know how this works.

This site, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2lcQmcR6Yg&feature=related, Mama's Cottons advertised some interesting retro fabrics - at a reasonable price. Retro is a bit off-task here, but my admiration of things old with fabrics, led me momentarily astray. Besides...for those of you who might be here in partial preparation for your next potholder creation, her designs might spark your interest. If you buy from her site, please leave a comment on your experience.

If you have a stuffing/batting/filling trick or two for your potholders, let us know. Leave a comment or reach me at daniellesimone0@gmail.com.

You can always use one more potholder...

A Quick, Crocheted Potholder Pretty

2011-02-04T12:22:00.000-08:00

This quick, crocheted potholder pretty is a snap to make and looks elegant - while filling a utilitarian purpose.

I found a lovely colored cotton yarn at a local (WM) store. Basically beige - almost ecru, with flecks of deep brown and rust. I used 2 strands for extra thickness and safety of use.

The potholder pattern I chose made up quickly and gave me a feeling of some purpose during my recuperation from the recently popular bug-crud. Not having much energy - but not sleepy, I created/crocheted something useful. (Not that the gazillions of potholders filling my linen closet at this point don't already fit that bill!)

Who cares! It was fun, and I have a girlfriend with an upcoming birthday.

Recipe for a quick potholder;

-2 2-oz. balls cotton yarn (I used Lily Sugar 'n Cream, "Sonoma Print"
- Size H crochet hook
-About 4 hours

1. (FIRST ROW) crochet chain stitch 33 stitches.
2. (SECOND ROW) SC (single crochet) into BACK of third stitch from hook, continue SC into BACKS of stitches across first row, chain 2, turn.
3. (THIRD ROW) SC in BACK of next stitch and repeat second row for a total of 31 rows.
4. After last SC, chain approximately 10 stitches, ST (slip stitch) into last SC, weave threads into back of potholder for 8 to 10 stitches, cut off.

To make these crocheted potholders safer for use, I do three things:

-Use double threads
-Crochet into back of stitches of previous rows, giving the surface more depth and thickness
-Use cotton thread so the potholders can be shrunk a bit in hot water and a hot dryer.

For shrinking purposes, they begin life a bit bigger than a normal potholder.

Try this easy pattern; let me know how you may have changed it...or not? Send me a picture and I'll post it.

daniellesimone0@gmail.com

This potholder is basically the same pattern as mine except the stitches do not go into the back stitches of the previous rows. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biGbmVULdNw

These potholders are octagonal - very pretty and easy to put together, as well. http://mylittlekitchen.blogspot.com/2007/12/crochet-old-fashioned-potholders.html

This pattern has fascinated me for years! These blogs makes this look like a snap to create. Let me know if it is as easy as it looks; leave a comment.
http://theboringknitter.com/?page_id=30
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9wXDWgrJsI (this has 3 U-Tube videos)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwPmG2bFrYM&feature=related

Happy crocheting!

As always, Nature prevails.

Potholders...Plus...healing

2010-11-08T18:21:00.000-08:00

I have received several questions in my e-mail, daniellesimone0@gmail.com, regarding information related to this site and the making of the lowly potholder. Please accept my apologies for the lack of input to this site for over a year. Serious, ongoing illness in our family, in addition to a move to Missouri, has pulled me in numerous directions with no time left for serious writing.

My plans include returning to this site shortly, with weekly, detailed photos and directions for special potholders and other small, easy-to-make items. There will be continued, numerous links to related potholder sites for each post, such that readers can have numerous and different methods available for each project. I believe every crafter has varying ways to approach a similar idea such that the more information they have to fashion a particular item, the better their chances of success.

My intentions remain for creating a site which gives pertinent information for creating pretty, easy-to-make and unique potholders including lots of detail and photos. I want to give all crafters and quilters alike, the opportunity for learning and growing in their abilities and capacities with quilting, sewing and crocheting potholders. A small project such as a lowly yet useful - sometimes most necessary potholder, can give quick quilting or crafting results...building confidence and inventory for their creators - with a small amount of effort, time and expense.

See you in a few weeks. Get your machines ready and your supplies handy. The lowly potholder will arrive - stage left...soon.

As always, Nature prevails.

Danielle

Hollow Cube Quilted Potholder; you CAN quilt!

2009-11-28T17:36:00.001-08:00

If you can sew simple projects using straight stitching, you can quilt! The pleasure of quilting potholders is the size of the project; one block is all it takes. Time is your friend.

So let's begin to step a bit out of the box, stretch our comfort zone and bring triangles into the house of potholders. The magic is...we're making an itty, bitty potholder with an itty bitty amount of fabric. So, if you make a mistake, very little fabric is lost and the quilting experience you will gain is priceless.

Triangles and quilting are a combination that have always caused me stress and sent me running back to the safe, easy, simple square...and its unlimited variations. But learning how to quilt can depend as much on the ease and simplicity of a tutorial as it does on the ability to sew. This video below explains the creation of a hollow cube pattern using six triangles. Presented in an easy, step by step process, this tutorial will ensure the success of your project. Your finished potholder will be creative and pretty and will demonstrate your new-found quilting finesse!

Yes, you CAN quilt!

http://www.5min.com/Video/Hollow-Cube-Quilt-Block-91186943

Creative Crocheted Potholders

2009-11-11T09:19:00.000-08:00

Potholders come in all manners of creation. Some of the prettiest I've seen are crocheted. This week, several crocheted cuties stood out. They look a bit complex, but obviously - doable.

Getting prepared for Christmas can be stressful - particularly in these economically troubled times. Crocheting a couple pretty potholders that your friends will enjoy for years to come, is a feasible, inexpensive way to show your Love. A homespun project such as a beautifully crafted potholder will give smiles and enjoyment. Yarn is fairly inexpensive and you probably have crochet needles already. Crochet patterns are straightforward; we'll cover some in the next post.

Sarah London has a "wooleater" pattern that she displays as a potholder or a blanket on her site. Beautiful work Sarah!

Want a detailed, colorful Poinsettia to widen your friend's eyes on Christmas morning? This crocheted Poinsettia potholder is the perfect choice. (Read this touching story about Maria and Pablo, and how the Poinsettia became a symbol of Christmas).

Are roses your passion? This complex looking Rose potholder and hot-pad set will test your crochet talents, but appears a worthy project. How delicate and classy this will appear on your friend's kitchen wall!

If you want to touch the heart of a friend this Christmas, this sweet-looking heart-shaped potholder is your key.

Want a quick, weekend project to assist your Christmas list? Check out the sites above to engage your creative side. You'll relax, create, produce and check off your holiday list - all in a few, enjoyable hours.

Happy crocheting!

CRAFTY CROCHET; Pretty Potholders

2009-11-04T15:24:00.000-08:00

Most of us want something to do while we watch TV, sit by the fireplace or just feel creative. Most of us crochet, at least the basics such as single and double crochet stitches. There you are; potholder pretties comin' up!

The following sites have some creative ideas with fairly simple patterns.

http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa071297.htm This little cutie will catch the eye of everyone who visits your kitchen, especially the kitty lovers in your circle. There are several more patterns on this site.

http://www.netw.com/~rafter4/knitpad.htm This heart-shaped potholder is not only pretty, but uses rags for its creation, a utilitarian project.

http://potholderswap.blogspot.com/
This site gave me pause; these may be the prettiest potholders ever! So many patterns, so little time.

http://www.mielkesfarm.com/diagonal_hotpad.htm If you go to craft shows, you've probably seen this potholder already. The pattern directions are easy and well photographed.

http: //www.freevintagecrochet.com/potholders/multicolored.html This log cabin quilt block look-alike is unusual and classy, definitively one from the 'guesthouse' potholders. Towards the bottom left of the page, they have a list of other patterns, very much worth your time if you're looking for unique patterns.

http://www.rubylane.com/shops/noahsatticantiques/item/PT301?gbase=1
These crochet books from 1944 and 1950, might interest you if you enjoy making potholders of various shapes such as cowboy boots, strawberries, gingerbread men, etc.

I wanted something different for my last craft show. A pattern for a 'scrubby' popped up and looked so intriguing, I made it as a potholder (just made it a bit larger). After one row of single crochet stitches, I alternated triple crochet stitches with single ones. The effect is a 'bumpy'/'nubby' texture, quite lovely and unique. Let me know if you try it, we'd enjoy hearing your thoughts about it.

"Tangled Yarns" has the pattern at the link below. http://www.tangledyarns.ca/crochet/2009/6/11/free-crochet-pattern-nubby-dishcloth.html

Happy crocheting, from Potholders Plus.

Easy Quilted Potholders: You CAN Quilt!

2009-10-31T15:47:00.000-07:00

Are you are a frustrated quilter? Do you spend envious hours browsing expensive quilt magazines? Do you marvel at Eleanor Burns or Sewing with Nancy as they breezily run their quilt squares through their sewing machines, thinking that you will never be able to quilt? Well, do not dismay; think small...the lowly potholder to your rescue!

Do you have some old cotton skirts or blouses taking space in the back of your closet? Does your husband or your teenage children have cotton shirts they never wear? Any old washcloths, towels or blankets ready to be replaced? Can you sew a straight line with your old sewing machine? Presto! You have some potential holiday gifts ready for creation. Your friends will welcome some nice looking, new potholders to brighten their kitchens. And real friends, truly enjoy a gift that is handcrafted with care and thoughtfulness, no matter how small.

How you proceed from here, is totally up to your ingenuity, imagination, time and patience. I've surfed the net and found some quilted potholder sites that may appeal to your artistic, creative side.

http://www.lovetosew.com/quiltedpotholders.htm has easy, simple instructions, completer with clear pictures. You might want to 'stitch in the ditch' along some of the lines where the different fabrics meet. It's easy to do, just place some pins along the seams to keep the fabric from 'walking' which may end in a pucker at the end of your seam. Either use a 'walking' foot or just lower the pressure on the pressure foot to minimize puckers.

http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2009/04/craft_project_simple_quilted_p.html gives detailed directions, also with clear, large pictures so you cannot go wrong. They do interesting quilting lines across the rail fence lines for a double-quilted look; quite nice.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/593629/how_to_make_quilted_pot_holders_with.html?cat=24 uses bias tape to finish the edges, which is a bit easier I think, than turning them inside out. Your particular sewing skill and comfort level will lead your way.

Have fun. Take your time. If you have 'mistakes', they can always keep company with your other potholders at home. Someone said to me at a craft show, "You can never have too many potholders!"

Don't forget to share your projects with us. Even a small tip from your experience, might give someone else the necessary confidence to finish their own project.

Happy sewing! Enjoy your trick-or-treaters.

"Mini-quilting": One potholder at a Time

2009-10-29T08:03:00.000-07:00

Some of us enjoy the look of quilting; the perfectly matching corners where the colors meet, the interconnected beauty of delicate, pretty fabrics and designs, etc. We even enjoy the sometimes slow, precise, painstaking work of putting all these special shapes and sizes into their proper place to fashion a quilt block. But "times" 64 or 96? Maybe not. So, the quilt experience may get tabled and put off for 'later'.

Enter, the lowly potholder! Just 1 quilt block and you have a beautifully fashioned, yet usable potholder. Quite magical.

100 Quick to Quilt Potholders, by Jeanne Stauffer, contains pages of potholders created from every imaginable quilt block. (click on the sidebar picture of this book to see more details). Maybe these beauties only decorate a kitchen wall, showing off your creativity and finesse with a needle, but there are certainly worse jobs in life... I don't think they mind.

With Christmas approaching, a pretty, quick potholder may fit your needs.

As you can see, the lowly potholder...can be a 'classic', in its own right. The potholder has moved over to the 'guest' quarters...

Nature prevails.

The Lowly Potholder

2009-10-28T14:16:00.000-07:00

Hardly a kitchen exists that does not house at least one, functional potholder. They serve a major role in the safe handling of cookware. Yet, the lowly potholder works in silence, toiling away, day after week after year, with little - if any recognition.

According to ehow.com, Some of the most unusual and charming pot holders date from the 1950s. Many of these were crocheted in a variety of novel shapes, including fruit, flowers and more.

(I wonder what the cave dwellers used to handle their pots over their cook fires).

Today, many types of heat protection are available for the center of potholders; silicone textiles, old towels, blanket parts, quilt batting, and of course the special Kevlar type batting specially made for potholders, found in craft stores and online.

We can hand-make potholders of knitted, crocheted and loomed textiles. They are easy to fashion with a sewing machine. And not to forget the lowly potholders patiently awaiting a home, hanging in the kitchen areas of stores. Many more are only a click away, online, as they will be here, in the near future.

A potholder is limited only to the imagination of its creator. For the most part, potholders are made for their simple, utilitarian position in the home. We're here to change that! The lowly potholder is moving out of the work quarters and into the guesthouse! There is nothing too proud or desirable for the new, improved potholder that it cannot carry with grace, beauty, class and style.

Keep an eye on our progress here, over the next few months. We will eventually offer our own crafted beauties...limited only by our imagination. And we tend to think...a bit out-of-the-box!

Meanwhile, we'll be searching the net and linking to all the sites that offer potholders. If you are looking for a particular type of potholder, let us know and we'll endeavor to hook you up with your need.

Since Nature is our penchant, we'll work harder to find the more natural fibered potholders as well as homemade ones.

Please post any comments you may have on our new debutante. Maybe your Grandma had a special one she bought or fashioned. Maybe you bought a unique potholder at a craft show. Maybe you make some potholder pretties that we could display here. Let your imagination be your guide.

And as always...Nature prevails.