Tarantula Arms Is Getting A Facelift

[compactelectra]

And

On the other side, a huge cutting and storage table.  I am ruined for life.  Tomorrow the final mirror is being installed in the bathroom, so I'll post pictures of the finished product.

 

[danemodsandy]

Fred:

That is impressive indeed. I've never seen a twin-machine cabinet in the flesh, only in photos. I know a bunch of quilting fanatics, and they love Pfaffs and Elnas.

My own sewing machine interest is in the early Singer electronics. I have a Touch-Tronic 2001 and an Athena 2000. That's an Athena in the cabinet you see.

 

[compactelectra]

Nice cabinet

People rave about those Touch Tronics.  Singer holds a special place in my heart, even the Touch N' Sews (which some technicians refer to as Touch and Swears!)  I still have the Singer Stylist my partner and I bought on Madison St. in Chicago in the late 70s.  Still works like a charm.

 

[danemodsandy]

The Trouble With Touch-Tronic and Athenas:

They're now thirty-five and forty years old, so if the electronic boards fail, you're up the proverbial creek; Singer stopped supporting them a few years back.

However, with common-sense care (like leaving them unplugged when not in use, and don't sew during storms), they still chug along quite nicely.

Singer warranted the boards for 25 years, so they're very high quality. NASA doesn't expect that kind of life out of electronics.

That cutting table is fabulous. I cut on the bed, using a Simplicity cutting board that folds. That's all there's room for around here. If I weren't concerned about the Singers' electronics, I'd put everything in the basement with the mighty Maytag 806s. An Ironrite is coming soon - hopefully a Model 95 like Fred Stachnik has.

 

[danemodsandy]

P.S.:

If you bought your Stylist new, you probably remember the Athenas and Touch-Tronics new.

No one who wasn't rich could afford one then - the Athena was $1500 when it came out, and the Flip 'n Sew cabinet was another $400. That would be almost $8000 in today's anemic currency.

In 1975, I looked at the Athena - who didn't? I oohed, I aahed, I sighed - and then bought the BOL flatbed machine. For $79.95.

Oh, well - I got my TOL machine in the end, didn't I? LOL!

 

[compactelectra]

I Have A Particular Fondness

For the older Singers.  Dan Pontow picked me up a Featherweight in Des Moines for less than $300 - a steal.  These machines were built like a Sherman tank and highly serviceable.  In very high demand by quilters.  I love this one.

 

[compactelectra]

And My Rocketeer

When my technician returned it to me he marveled at the quality.  He said that there was not one piece of plastic in that machine.  I use it for piecing half-square triangles with paper-piecing.

 

[kenkart]

Slant Needles

I have my Mothers 301, It will sew anything you can get under the presser foot, She made everything from slips to upholstering furniture, and used that straight stich Singer, She bought it new in 58.

 

[danemodsandy]

One of.....

....My dream machines would be a Singer 401, in the "Hampton Court" cabinet. That was a Chippendale kneehole desk cabinet in mahogany.

Fred, your Stylist may be the most impeccably cared-for example I've ever seen. That machine looks fresh out of the box!

If that's an example of your quilting behind the cutting table, all I can say is oh, my.

Well that and "I'll take one in green, double/queen size. Charge it and send."

Just kidding! Seriously, beautiful work and design.

 

[ralph123]

Beautiful job on your remodel.

I was surprised to see a listing locally that actually had 12 shower heads in the master shower. I wouldn't normally post a link, but this one is fairly cool.

http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/30-Perdido-Cir-Little-Rock-AR-72211/338660_zpid/

The former owner is a local kitchen and bath designer/remodeler, and they did some pretty nice work on this house. The master bath pictures are around #10 & 11.

 

[compactelectra]

Sandy

The reason that Stylist looks brand new is that it was purchased in 1976, sewed on once and then put into its carrying case and didn't see the light of day for almost 35 years until I got the quilting bug.  It is and works like new.  I really like that machine.  It is designed like the Touch 'N Sews but without the troublesome bobbin winder.  These machines were made simple and were used in schools.  Sews a wonderful stitch.  It has the nylon gears, but they haven't seemed to deteriorate.


 


Well, they came today and put in the last mirror.  The Master Bath is done!  Shot before:

 

[compactelectra]

And

After:

 

[compactelectra]

Tub

Before:

 

[compactelectra]

And

After.  Hunter Douglas blinds on order.

 

[compactelectra]

And Finally

The shower before:

 

[compactelectra]

And

After - I can attest - it is luscious.  Charlie is developing a close relationship with those shower heads!  Especially the lower right hand one.  Amazing what gives us a thrill in our old age. 

[this post was last edited: 11/14/2013-20:27]

 

[compactelectra]

And The

Master Controls for the Jacuzzi heated floor and lights.  Added a button on the tub so you don't have to get out to start it.

[this post was last edited: 11/14/2013-20:29]

 

[mark40511]

Something I've always wondered

My stand up shower is the same way.......

Notice the floor tiles are small as opposed to the wall tiles of the shower? Why is this always the case? I have sometimes seen the small tiles on the walls of tile showers, but more often than not, it's large wall, floor small.

 

[danemodsandy]

Well Done, Fred!

The completed bath looks wonderful. I know you're thrilled to have everything up and running once again.

Thanks so much for sharing so many photos and stories about the remodel with us!

P.S.: Your Singer Stylist's 35-year break is not the only thing responsible for its appearance; you obviously take excellent care of things. There's many a vintage sewing machine out there with only a few hours of use, but which needs a lot of work, because it was allowed to get dusty, or put in a damp basement, or whatever. I've seen some heartbreaking machines in my time, including a Rocketeer that was basically a lump of rust.

So, give yourself a little credit!

 

[countryguy]

I think the floor tiles in the shower are usually small because the shower base is not flat. It has to slope from the outside to where the drain is located and thus it is easier to have small tiles follow the shape of the floor than large tiles.

Gary

 

[isufan11]

It looks absolutely great. I am sure it has added a lot of value.

 

[compactelectra]

Ding Ding Ding!

We have a winner!  Gary - you are exactly right - the tiles on the shower floor are smaller to allow for the slope of the floor towards the drain.  One of the many things that have to be factored in in designing a bathroom.  It all works together well though.

 

[compactelectra]

Sandy

I am at the point that I don't know what to do with all the quilts I make.  It is a creative and satisfying pastime but the quilts are starting to fill closets.  Charlie is a Downton Abbey fanatic (he and his partner visited Highclere Castle this fall) and I agreed to make him a quilt from the new line of Downton Abbey fabrics from Andover - see link. 


 


I would be happy to create a quilt for you - just supply the pattern and fabrics.  I'll do the sewing.  One of my quilts from my Civil War collection.


 


I am thinking - Project Linus?



http://www.andoverfabrics.com/NewsStory.php?NewsSlug=twelve-quilts-from-downton-abbey

 

[danemodsandy]

You're Very Kind, Fred!

Perhaps I can take you up on such a wonderful offer sometime soon.

For right now, I have a new kitty-cat friend named Marty, and he has a bit of an issue with clawing. We're working on it, and it's getting better, but he has damaged a couple of things, and I would be horrified if he damaged a "labor of love" creation like the quilts I see here.

This is Marty. He's a very sweet boy, just a bit handier with the claws than he needs to be. Declawing is not an option; that is a very cruel thing to do to a cat, pretty much the same as amputating a person's fingers at the first joint.

Again, it's very kind of you!

 

[danemodsandy]

Fred:

This is the "Hampton Court" top-of-the-line cabinet that fits your Rocketeer. It's on eBay now, though with a little persistence and luck, one could probably be found for less than the $495 plus shipping this seller wants. Mahogany solids and veneers, with seven drawers (one with spool pins), dating from between around 1958 and 1960:

 

[danemodsandy]

I Misspoke!

The model name of that cabinet is the HAMPDEN Court, not Hampton Court. It was Style Number 353.

Here's a link to a page with the Singer cabinet brochure that applies to the 400- and 500-series Slant-O-Matic machines; you'll need to click on the thumbnail to enlarge:

http://blog.sew-classic.com/2008/10/25/singer-401-401a-403--403a--404--sewing-machine-review.aspx

 

[compactelectra]

Looks Like

I have the Lorraine.  Got it off of Ebay in great condition.  It houses the 500a and resides in Tania's room.  I don't care for those "button" controllers so I replaced it with a modern one.  Amazing you can still get most parts for these machines.  Very nice piece of furniture when it is closed up.  It has the leg controller built in but I prefer controlling with my foot.

 

[compactelectra]

And the stool

It's in the main sewing room right now while the chairs are being reupholstered.  I reupholstered the seat with some fabric from JoAnns and a stapler.  Has handy storage under the cushion.   Looks like a 401a is on the way from Dan Pontow when he comes in for Thanksgiving.  Stopped off to see him on the way back from Omaha and he had me take a look at his Mom's 401a in the cabinet.  Fired her up and she ran like a charm.  Dan was amazed when I spun the dials and made all the fancy stitches.  Looks like Mom took really good care of the machine.  Can't remember what cabinet it is in, but we shall see when it arrives.  He knows I love these machines and couldn't turn down his offer to bring it to me.  I have always wanted a 401a.  The house is going to start looking like a Singer showroom from the late 50s.

 

[gusherb]

The opulent glow of your vanity area is breathtaking! The lighting really makes everything pop. The whole bathroom is something to marvel over really! When's the photo shoot for the magazines taking place?

Oh btw, did you end up replacing the toilet too? I think that's one thing that was never mentioned.

 

[danemodsandy]

Very Nice!

Fred:

I should have known you'd be way ahead of me on a cabinet for that Rocketeer! The "Lorraine" is a very pretty design.

Your house is so swellegant! If I ever get the opportunity to visit, I have the feeling I'll be greeted like this: