Back in business

The postman brought me 2 packages today so now my machine is back in business and ready to make some fun stuff.

iron will

I have always had a love for wrought iron, something about the ornate patterns made from simple twists and turns of hard metal, and the detailed shadows they cast and how they creep across the building on sunny days.

Im pretty sure I would still have a love for it, even if it didn’t run in my blood. My Great grandfather and my namesake was an iron worker in Italy and after immigrating to New England opened up shop there. You can still see some of his gates/fences around the Providence area.

Here are some of my favorites that always provide me with inspiration

From etsy

from etsy

Flower detail on a porch in Savannah GA, cast a good shadow

Street lamp with similar detail also in Savannah GA

A table and chair that sat outside the house we rented just outside of Lucca Italy.

Iron work done by my great grandfather close to 100 years ago in his home town in Tuscan hills.

My old friend is back

After graduating from college and moving back to Maryland my Singer 31-15 went to live in my parents guest room, My dad thought he would use it to mend sails, sail bags, awnings....who knows. But after using it once and stepping on the treadle like you would a home machine, and nearly sewing thru his arm he decided it had to much power for him. So he went back to his home machine with a heavy duty needle.

Recently my step mother decided they no longer had room for it in their house and it was going to be given away if I didn't want it anymore. Meaning I had to get it out of their house or it was going to be gone.

So with that, 1940's era machine has moved in to my studio and I cant wait to see if any of my leather construction knowledge is still with me.

Sadly in getting evicted from my parents house the little box the held all my feet, bobbins, and bobbin cases got lost, so i've tracked some down and they wont be here till next week.





I love the tag on the machine that says Patented USA Feb 21, 1899. The guy I purchased the machine from told me he thought it was originally from the 40's and was used in outerwear factories and probably came out of midtown somewhere. Which fascinates me to think this machine could have made something my grandparents wore.