Sew Lovely: Sewing Table Makeover

I am going to do it. I'm going to learn to sew! I can sew by hand pretty well when I absolutely have to, but I have a brand new sewing machine (now six years old) in storage and a billion craft projects in my mind which require some sewing. Right now my current health situation limits me from really getting into any new hobbies, so I will have to put sewing on hold for a while longer, but not being able to sew doesn't have to stop me from collecting beautiful old sewing notions!

 I have always found antique buttons and lovely vintage lace and fabrics very fascinating. There's so much beauty when it comes to sewing. Whether it be hand stitched doilies, embroidery, spools of yummy lace and ribbons, blingy vintage buttons and of course the old sewing machines, everything just has a beauty unlike mass produced items of today. Like all things vintage, each of these treasures have some story to tell and it's fun to imagine their history.

 I guess I really need to get out the needle and thread and sew a button on that antique baby shoe!

I have always wanted an old Singer sewing machine table. My goal for the summer was to find one to put in the garden where the cast iron base could get all rusty and the top could be used for plants. I got lucky when I found one for $20.00 at the flea market. The only problem was, it still had the sewing machine inside so I wasn't going to use it in the garden (not really a problem---but a bonus). I bought it anyway (there was no way I was letting it go for that price) and decided to use it inside. It needed a makeover but I wasn't feeling up to it so it sat in storage for a few weeks. On one of my "good days" I had my husband mix me up some homemade chalk paint and I repainted it in less than 45 minutes and I didn't suffer too badly from pain or exhaustion afterward. The quick drying time and ease of application is why I prefer chalk paint now over any other medium. The worst part of the whole thing was my husband's grumbling about carrying it up the porch stairs to get it inside. In his defense, we did end up having to get someone to help. It weighed a ton! I have been dealing in antiques for quite some time and always wondered why you could come across these machines so inexpensively. It may be because nobody wants to move them around! But I think they are gorgeous, and worth the effort. My husband, on the other hand, may disagree!

 Here is the after. I painted it a pale shade of green. Not too shabby! Or should I say, "Oh so shabby!" I still need to add the drawer pulls since there was only one remaining. My junky-creative Mom suggested I paint some old spools and add them. That's just what I'm going to do. I'll post an update when I get around to that project.

 I have been collecting sewing related items forever and have been tucking them here and there in vignettes or using them in craft projects, so having an actual antique sewing machine fit right into my décor.

I love the romantic feel of this grouping. Lots of my favorite things all together. A few weeks prior to getting the sewing machine, I found some gorgeous Victorian hat pins at an estate sale but I just couldn't find the right way to display them.

Of course! Stick them in a ball of twine in an old chippy ironstone creamer on a delicate saucer dripping with pearls on top of an antique sewing table. DUH! I mean, what else are you supposed to do with antique hat pins???

I really am lucky when in comes to junkin'.  When I took out the drawers to start painting them, they were full of vintage sewing goodies. I have some of them on display in this picture. So not only did I get the sewing machine as a bonus, I got drawers full of goodies to play with!

 Thanks for stopping by! I hope you have enjoyed this post and that you all have a day that is just "sew" lovely!

Amber

2014

Before and After Wednesday

2013

Parties: http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/2013/08/home-sweet-home-132.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed: TheCharmOfHome (The Charm of Home)

http://www.commonground-do.com/

http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

http://www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com/

http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/08/178th-inspire-me-tuesday-winner-of.html

http://threemangoseeds.blogspot.com/