It was thrilling hearing how many people are vintage sewing machine enthusiasts! Thank you, everyone, who reached out! I’m excited to pass on more tips on vintage sewing machines, share how I’ve re-purposed vintage patterns, and announce the winner of the “September ‘Sew Cute’ Giveaway”!
is a certified farmgirl at heart. She’s happily married to her beach bum Yankee husband of 20 years. She went from career gal to being a creative homeschooling mom for two of her biggest blessings and hasn’t looked back since. Debbie left her lifelong home in the high desert of Northern Nevada 10 years ago and washed up on the shore of America’s hometown, Plymouth, MA, where she and her family are now firmly planted. They spend part of each summer in a tiny, off–grid beach cottage named “The Sea Horse.”
“I found a piece of my farmgirl heart when I discovered MaryJanesFarm. Suddenly, everything I loved just made more sense! I enjoy unwinding at the beach, writing, gardening, and turning yard-sale furniture into ‘Painted Ladies’ I’m passionate about living a creative life and encouraging others to ‘make each day their masterpiece.’”
is a “MaryJane Farmgirl” who lives in a large metropolitan area. She is a lawyer who has worked in both criminal defense and prosecution. She has been a judge, a business woman and a stay-at-home mom. In addition to her law degree, she has a Masters of Theological Studies.
“Mustering up the courage to do the things you dream about,” she says, “is the essence of being a MaryJane Farmgirl.” Learning to live more organically and closer to nature is Rebekah’s current pursuit. She finds strength and encouragement through MaryJane’s writings, life, and products. And MaryJane’s Farmgirl Connection provides her a wealth of knowledge from true-blue farmgirls.
an old-fashioned farmgirl with a pioneer spirit, lives in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. As a “lifelong learner” in the “Live-Free-or-Die” state, she fiercely values self-reliance, independence, freedom, and fresh mountain air. Married to her childhood sweetheart of 40+ years (a few of them “uphill climbs”), she’s had plenty of time to reinvent herself. From museum curator, restaurant owner, homeschool mom/conference speaker, to post-and-beam house builder and entrepreneur, she’s also a multi-media artist, with an obsession for off-grid living and alternative housing. Cathi owns and operates a 32-room mountain lodge. Her specialty has evolved to include “hermit hospitality” at her rustic cabin in the mountains, where she offers weekend workshops of special interest to women.
“Mountains speak to my soul, and farming is an important part of my heritage. I want to pass on my love of these things to others through my writing. Living in the mountains has its own particular challenges, but I delight in turning them into opportunities from which we can all learn and grow.”
Dori Troutman is the daughter of second generation cattle ranchers in New Mexico. She grew up working and playing on the ranch that her grandparents homesteaded in 1928. That ranch, with the old adobe home, is still in the family today. Dori and her husband always yearned for a ranch of their own. That dream came true when they retired to the beautiful green rolling hills of Tennessee. Truly a cattleman’s paradise!
Dori loves all things farmgirl and actually has known no other life but that. She loves to cook, craft, garden, and help with any and all things on their cattle farm.
describes herself as a goat charmer, chicken whisperer, bee maven, and farmers’ market baker renovating an 1864 farmhouse on an Ohio farm. With a degree in Design, Mary says small-town auctions and country road barn sales "always make my heart skip a beat thinking about what I could create or design out of what I’ve seen.”
Rooted in the countryside, she likes simple things and old ways … gardening, preserving the harvest, cooking, baking, and all things home. While you might find her selling baked goods from the farm’s milkhouse, teaching herself to play the fiddle, or sprucing up a vintage camper named Maizy, you will always find her in an apron!
Mary says, “I’m happiest with the simple country pleasures … an old farmhouse, too many animals, a crackling fire, books to read, and the sound of laughter … these make life just perfect.”
is a budding rural farmgirl living in Palmer, the agricultural seat of Alaska. Alex is a graduate student at Alaska Pacific University pursuing an M.S. in Outdoor and Environmental Education. She lives and works on the university’s 700 acre environmental education center, Spring Creek Farm. When Alex has time outside of school, she loves to rock climb, repurpose found objects, cross-country ski on the hay fields, travel, practice yoga, and cook with new-fangled ingredients.
Alex grew up near the Twin Cities and went to college in Madison, Wisconsin—both places where perfectly painted barns and rolling green farmland are just a short drive away. After college, she taught at a rural middle school in South Korea where she biked past verdant rice paddies and old women selling home-grown produce from sidewalk stoops. She was introduced to MaryJanesFarm after returning, and found in it what she’d been searching for—a group of incredible women living their lives in ways that benefit their families, their communities, and the greater environment. What an amazing group of farmgirls to be a part of!
Suburban Farmgirl Nicole Christensen calls herself a “vintage enthusiast”. Born and raised in Texas, she has lived most of her life in the picturesque New England suburbs of Connecticut, just a stone’s throw from New York State. An Advanced Master Gardener, she has gardened since childhood, in several states and across numerous planting zones. In addition, she teaches knitting classes, loves to preserve, and raises backyard chickens.
Married over thirty years to her Danish-born sweetheart, Nicole has worked in various fields, been a world-traveler, an entrepreneur and a homemaker, but considers being mom to her now-adult daughter her greatest accomplishment. Loving all things creative, Nicole considers her life’s motto to be “Bloom where you are planted”.
Love your new sewing machines and your Halloween decorations on display! What a great touch! I have a question for you. Have you stained or restored the Singer cabinet or is that it’s original condition? Would staining the cabinet lower its antique value? I also like how you repurposed vintage patterns. I want to try something like that!
Hi Krista! Great question. Years ago, I was in the fine furniture business with my husband, specializing in Scandinavian imports, so I learned quite a bit about wood. What I’ve found with most of the antique pieces I’ve found is that the wood is in need of moisture. It’s dry and pale. I use a product from Denmark that is sold here, called “Clean and Feed”. (Find it here: http://www.scancare.net/RETAIL_CATALOG.html). It has kept me from needing to refinish the wood, even when I thought I would need to. If the wood has old wax buildup, it helps with that, too. Unless the wood veneer is cracked, I like to leave it alone and just moisturize it. After wiping the dirt and crud and dust off with a nearly dry damp cloth, I use Clean and Feed a couple of times, letting dry between coats. The Scand-Oil that is carried on the same page is good, too. As for staining the cabinet lowering the value, that is what I have always followed, and have some serious antique connections in the way of family and friends. However, I think if a piece is really far gone, and you can make it look better or closer to its original condition, then go for it. In that case, it would make sense that the value would go up. The one you asked about I did not refinish, just restored with cleaning and using the Clean and Feed. Let me know if you make something with your patterns! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Thank you so much, Nicole! I will pass this information on to my parents. They have an old singer they are looking to fix up, so when I shared your blog post with them they were thrilled!
Awesome! Let me know how it turns out. 🙂 Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
It is an addiction. I have over 25 vintage machines. Love them all…..
I love what you did with the wooden tray and the vintage patterns.
Hi Sylvia, Thank you so much. Wow – 25! I love it! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I love “old” machines too. I gave my grandmother’s treadle to sonshine4u so she can enjoy it as much as I have. I learned on a treadle and sewed lots of things on it. I also have my aunt’s toy singer from the 1020s and used to sew doll clothes on that. Thanks for loving and appreciating the past and sharing with us.
Hi Bonnie, Thanks for reading! I love that you appreciate and love your heirloom treasures! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I love older machines, too. I stalled for a long time, but so wanted a Featherweight and was fortunate to find mine some 20 years ago in Abingdon, VA at their annual Highlands Festival which is held in August every year. It was in really good shape, but, of course, I did spend time shining it, using the lubricating tube contents and oil to make it really ready. There is no smell like that machine oil and lubrication once put in the machine and it starts working it’s way through the gears, etc. Mine is a 1950 Celebration model and it still pieces quilts just fine. There is something magical about putting needle to thread on these little beauties. Featherweights seem to go into hiding ever so often, but many can be found in Hillsborough, TN at the quilt shop there. Don’t hesitate. Treat yourself. I have the case for the machine and LOTS of feet, too. And, yes, the case does have its own odor. It’s OK.
So glad I did.
Hi Rebecca, Yes, the Featherweight is just the perfect little machine! There is a Highlands festival in Virginia? Oh my! How fun…roadtrip!! I have heard about the case odor some of the Featherweights have. It is usually with the older black cases, and comes from the glue, which at that time was animal-fat based. I have a green case that came with my white Featherweight, but it is one of the very last models produced, so it has no odor, except for a faint dusty, musty smell that went away after I aired it out. My black ’38 Featherweight did not come with a case, I suspect it might have been thrown out due to the odor (though I have heard there are ways to get rid of it). I’d never throw a case out no matter how stinky! I love that you piece quilts on yours. I want to do that, too. Thanks for commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I love the decorated sewing machine. We have a decorated sewing machine too. Thanks for sharing this post and photos.
Marilyn
Hi Marilyn, Thank you! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I absolutely love old sewing machines and have a featherweight that I’m afraid to use. She’s so pretty! I’m also on the look-out for children’s sewing machines. They are all on display in my craft room. It’s so refreshing to know there are other women just like me!!
Hi Tracey! Thank you! A cute vintage children’s machine is the next on my wish list, as well as a “hand crank” machine. Why are you afraid to use your Featherweight? They are workhorses. I would use it if it is in working order. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I was fortunate enough to find a delightful Betty Ross sewing machine at a garage sale and it works.
Hi Marjorie, Oh those are so sweet! I love them. Congrats on a great find! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I love that you do this. I loved and used my vintage machine for quilting when I first learned to sew more than twenty years ago. Regrettably I no longer have that machine, it pains me to say. I just wanted to take a moment to express my enjoyment of your blog post.
Hi Gael, Thank you so much, I am so happy that you like the post. Means alot. I am so sorry you no longer have your machine. My mom regrets not having hers anymore, too. I wish she did as well. Thanks for stopping by the blog! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
What a fun blog. I have my great grandmother’s treadle with its Singer table. My father who passed on 12 years ago refinished the table and it’s beautiful. I love vintage machines and totally understand people’s interest in them.
Was wondering if you have any tips for a featherweight case. I purchased a featherweight about 2 years ago. It runs beautifully, however the case is covered with a white spotty film- ?mold? I purchased several brands of leather cleaner/wax like you would use on shoes. No effect whatsoever. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks.
Hi Joan! Thank you! I have a white Featherweight with a green and white case. The machine was mint, but the case came to me filthy and with a gross sportiness like you describe, except my spots were orangey. Similar to how I cleaned up some vintage luggage, I used care to not hurt the case. First I wiped the whole case down with an almost-dry, ever-so slightly damp cloth, being careful to wipe afterward with a completely dry cloth. Then I used a Mister Clean Eraser, ever so slightly damp (again, wrung out to almost dry). You will be amazed what you can get off of an old case with one of those. Do not “scrub” too hard, as you do not want to harm the material the case is made of, and work in a small area. I then wipe the case down with a dry, soft cloth like an old t-shirt. Also, make sure you do not buy the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser with the soap inside. Last thought, if it is a mold on the outside, have you tried a little vinegar on each spot? Let me know how you do. In any case, it’s what is on the inside that really counts. 😉 Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Hi Nicole,
I am starting to curb that collecting gene now! I have a 1911, and a 1921 treadle Singer 127 models. One has the Sphinx design that I also love so much. At the Animal Welfare League I lucked into the 1911 motorized Singer in it’s carry case. Such an elephant, and it works beautifully. I was told that the church women used it to sew roll-up sleeping bags for the homeless. Luckily we had a repair man in West Liberty, a town nearby, who repaired old machines for the Amish and Mennonite’s. He supplied the leather belt and re-wired my machine. I recently learned he retired when I needed a Centennial 1950 Singer cleaned up that I scouted out for my good friend in Kentucky. Luckily he helped train a woman who now carries on this good work. I once found a cream-white FW like yours with the green and white case in wonderful condition. Before I could use it our house burned down! Well, Mr. McCulla had a black one (with a mildew smelling case) and I bought that one. My heart was with the white one though. They all work so well that I won’t buy a modern one now. At thrift shops, I have been able to buy the attachments and have nearly all of them and a buttonholer. I’ll use vinegar first and then the Mr. Clean sponge to get the mildew off. Thanks for that tip. Keep up your wonderful blog. Ellen in Ohio
Ellen, Thank you for sharing! I am so sorry about your house burning down, and wish you find another white FW someday! I also heard that if your case is faded, you can use shoe polish to touch up spots, but I have not tried this myself yet. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
This was great fun!!! I am going to get online and see what my machines story is. Also going to get her shinny. God bless.
Hi Joan, Have fun! I love finding the stories of old machines. So special. Thanks for commenting! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Hello Nicole,
Really love your blog and enjoy your stories so much. Thanks for all the hard work you put into your writing. Also, thank you for the link to download and print a certificate for older Singer sewing machines. I have a 1928 treadle given to me by a dear friend before she passed away. And of course she bears my friend’s name. My certificate is printed and waiting to be framed and hung above the machine. I love featherweights, too, and have put one on my Christmas list!
I also love your decoupaged trays of vintage patterns. Another idea is to frame the fronts of the envelopes in floating frames. The painted wall or wallpaper will be the background when hung, or you can cut and mount any background you wish behind the envelope picture. We have recently moved, but I will hang these in my sewing room when we get unpacked and organized.
Thanks again for a wonderful blog!
Hi Keleen, Thank you so much! It means a lot that you enjoy my blog. 🙂 I love your idea for framing, too. I have two patterns that are sentimental that I have wanted to frame but wasn’t sure how. I will now be looking for floating frames! I hope Santa brings you a Featherweight! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Nicole, these are the floating frames I got. It seems they are presently on sale 🙂
http://www.joann.com/8×10-woof-float-frame-white/12531448.html
Hi Keleen, Those are great! I have bookmarked the site to see if they come back in stock. They’d be perfect. Thanks for sharing! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
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