PFAFF 262 - Stuck to sewing within a week!

Hello, hello, hello!

Hopefully you all are following me over on Instagram, YouTube or even Flickr. Obviously I am still terrible at blogging. But I am pretty hyped about this little project I did.

Recently while out thrifting with John, he spotted this Pfaff 262. (I have him on the lookout for me for older Singers & Pfaffs.) When I put my hands on it at the store, I couldn’t get anything to move. It was seized up and pretty dirty. It looked like it lived in a garage previously. Pfaff machines are my favorite. I have been sewing on one for the last 20+ years. With a price tag of $25 and hope in my pocket, I decided to take a chance on her.

Since I am in the deep rabbit hole of vintage sewing and vintage sewing machines, I decided to document what I did to just get her in a functioning state. Many videos and tutorials are geared to those with a bit more experience. I am a newbie. I need to take hands on baby steps and want to encourage others too.

*I do have small machine repair experience from when my dad was still alive. He ran an auto body shop and a small engine repair shop. Guess who got to tear apart a bazillion chainsaws and lawnmowers before the age of 13 and into high school.

This was a bit beyond a simple cleaning. That glue like varnish from the gasoline and Vaseline mixture was no joke. I did have to use a bit of physical force too. John only assisted me with reinstalling the pressure spring that I popped off when I took out the cam assembly.

I had to take this out to access points to oil to get rotation inside the machine.

Above, aside from the mandarin orange is everything I used to work on this. I stick with using only sewing machine oil to get things clean. I did use some 91% isopropyl alcohol to take off the stuck residue from the maintenance service company sticker on the front. Two soft head toothbrushes, lots of Q-tips, a couple napkins, a couple toothpicks and a rag for cleaning. Long bent nose tweezers, a flat head screwdriver that came with my “modern” Pfaff machine and John’s iFixit kit were the tools I used. The wire cutters and pliers were used for another machine I am working on too.

In the future I want to attempt retrobrighting (John will handle this process) some of the dials and hand wheel that have yellowed with age.

I am taking a brief break from fixing things to sew. But I am going to dive into getting the embroidery stitches working and I will post and update video when I do.

My hands are dirty but my stitches are good.

If you’re feeling handy and run into a situation similar to what I did. Give it a try! I’m feeling really good about bringing this gal back to life. I named her Diane after my sister (now known as The Living Miracle) who recently survived a very serious accident. (She was hit by a car at full speed while on a walk.) I feel naming this machine after her is appropriate.

That’s all for now friends. Be sure to connect with me on the outlets I mentioned above for more consistent updates.

xo-Thea

The Vintage Fashion Challenge

Since I’ve been an instagram user, I’ve half assed participated in “challenges”. You typically do a themed/subject oriented post daily for a month. I’ve never saw one through. I’d add a post here and there sort of thing, then forget or just lose interest.

Day 5. Blue - 80s does 40s embroidered cardigan sweater.

Last year I noticed a few people I follow on IG participate in The Vintage Fashion Challenge. I liked the idea for two particular reasons. One, so I can see other’s vintage posts. I love looking at vintage pieces from the 1940s in particular. Two, so I can sort out what I am missing from my vintage styled wardrobe. That alone has been helpful for me to focus in on my “what to make next” list. For example, I didn’t have a solid navy blue skirt until yesterday and for about a year I wished I had one.

Day 9 One of my oldest pieces a 1930s Liquid satin bias cut slip dress with a lace overlay dress.

I also showcased a few of my true vintage pieces that I love.

Above my 1930s liquid satin bias cut dress with a lace overlay dress. I got it for a ridiculous bargain bin price. When I grabbed it, I thought it was a 1980s robe. (It was wadded up and stapled together.) The fabric felt nice so I bought it without really knowing what it was.

Day 2 Red - My 1950s Solid Red Silk Alfred Shaheen Dress

Above, my 1950s solid red 100% silk Alfred Shaheen dress.

I bought it at a local thrift store for $5.49 plus tax. This dress is simple but the perfect shade of red for my yellow skin tone. The fabric detail on the bodice where the buttons are is my favorite thing about it. I’ve had a handful of collectors make generous offers for it. However, I don’t plan on selling it at this time and I already have a Shaheen collector in mind for when I do.

As you can see, I’m pretty into this but never fear - I am still making items too. I had to test drive Gertie’s newest Patreon exclusive pattern The Artist Apron Dress. I’ll share that result in separate post.

If you want to follow or join in The Vintage Fashion Challenge, my public IG is: www.instagram.com/thea_starr/

xo-Thea

Vintage Sewing: Casual Blouse Butterick 6270 (1950)

Last week’s make was something more for my everyday wardrobe. I need lightweight shirts for spring and this fit the bill.

The details are a bit lost in the print but in person you can see them well. Next time I make this pattern I’ll use a less busy print or just a solid.

If you look closely, you can see the stitching detail.

Adjustments; I had to size down and shorten the bodice and sleeves. I plan to tailor it a bit more but I wanted to test a sweater vest with it first. This pattern was a bit too big for me and I do have a bit of trouble sizing down a pattern rather than my normal of sizing up a vintage pattern.

Pattern: Butterick 6270 (1952)

I’ve had the lucky of finding higher sized vintage patterns. This one I did need to size down for me, but I keep the original pattern in tact in case I lend this one out.

Fabric: Thrifted. Looks like a Liberty if London print. Feels like viscose. I love the micro floral print. I tend to lean into those because the bees and hummingbirds aren’t more inclined to chase me in the garden. Things you learn over the years.

Buttons: Vintage (pictured)

Vintage Hollywood brand buttons from my vintage button stash.

Hair flower: Yours truly.

Gray hair for everyday sparkle.

I hvaen’t dyed my hair since February 2020.

It was a bit dark in my office this morning so the full length photos are a bit dark. But I just paired this with some wide leg jeans. Which I hated and changed into a skirt a couple hours after this was taken.

I already have my next project on the cutting table. We’ve been keeping busy during this uneasy time. Its hard to detach from the news.

Keep your hopes up friends, xo-Thea

2021 - Favorite Makes and Vintage Finds

Per usual once Halloween passes, I dive deep into the holiday season rush. This year was no exception. I mostly avoided socials and just posted little stories on IG.

Two days before Christmas/my birthday I closed up my shops for a bit of a vacation. It feels so good to recoup and let go of some rude customer interactions. I typically don’t take things personal, but with mail delays things got a little spicy at times.

With all of that behind me and 2021 almost behind us, I wanted to share some of my favorite makes and vintage finds of the year.

A lined jacket, vintage embroidery tea towels,(An Original By Thea Starr) kanzashi, floral knit top, Super Mario circle skirt and our (6 by 6 Arts) Roots plant stand.

Bedsheet summer dress, bedsheet 60's style dress, snake earrings, vintage patttern Halloween dress, 80's A-line skirt and a vintage fabric Christmas blouse.

I had many makes this year. Also, many I didn’t finish. I look forward to making even more in 2022.

A ridiculous vintage velvet wall hanging, a rare vintage Olga full lace dressing robe, vintage bias tape and more from my awesome neighbor, 1970's deadstock goddess fabric, vintage ice cream boobies slip dress and my vintage tea cart that I plan to restore.

My first true vintage ceramic tree, the angry cat sweater (I sold it), my 1940's vanity set, super clean vintage Daisy print Pyrex divided dish, my beloved Big Eyed doll and my metal/enamel vintage s

2021 was strange to say the least. I’m looking forward to seeing how strange 2022 will be.

Happy New Year Friends!

xo-Thea

Halloween 2021

Happy November to you. I hope you all had a very nice Halloween. We had a fun Halloween season. (That I started decorating for in August.)

I unfortunately, didn’t have time to release all of the products I wanted to on our Darkness Drive collection. We’re still adjusting to just one of us being a full time maker. I still plan on releasing those items in the coming months.

I documented my Halloween Week wardrobe. Many of the items you might recognize from previous posts, others were just some casual wear for sitting on my buns for the AdobeMAX conference.

I shared our annual laser engraved pumpkin video on YouTube. It’s just a fun thing that we’ve done every years since the inception of our business.

Trick or Treating was still a little weird this year. We saw a lot of neighbors asking questions and saw suggestions of how to do it safely. I came up with a little self service display pictured above. We always do something away from out front door due our beloved rescue dog who isn’t fond of little children. We had more trick or treaters than we did in 2019 and our little display (which looked much cooler in the dark with the battery operated candles glowing) seemed to work out really well.

Now onto fall projects. I have a stack of thrifted wool that will be skirts and jackets soon. I also have to clean up my Christmas ornament designs. We’ve already sold quite a few over the weekend.

xo-Thea

Vintage Show & Tell: Nila Sewing Compact

I share a really fun recent vintage find in this video. A Nila Sewing Compact. I’ve been dabbling with sewing stuff for most of my life and I have never happened upon anything like this.

I love it so much. Even though I paid “up” for it at the thrift store.

The logo is quite small and I don’t have the best lens for the job.

I love sharing vintage sewing items with you all. I use most of them myself. Some I still need to figure out how to use. I will definitely have more of this style of video in the future.

I had a couple inquiries about if I am still sewing. But of course and I will have a show & tell video all about that next week.

xo-Thea

Vintage Show and Tell - Furniture From Forslund Catalog

The Closet Historian is one of my favorite YouTube content creators. I recently found myself binge watching her Cataloging Catalogs playlist. I loved looking through them with her and just seeing all the clothing pieces and accessories that were available. (And that I wish I had now.)

In a recent thrifting trip, I recently found my very first vintage catalog. I thought it would be fun to do a little show and tell about it.

Furniture From Forslund - Carl Forslund Grand Rapids Michigan (United States) Catalog copyright 1959. Paperback 112 pages. Aside from Carl Forslund's furniture, also featured are Owl Hollow Pressed Glass, Westmoreland Milk Glass, Mason's Ironstone Vista and more! I know it would be better and clearer to offer a viewable online catalog. Perhaps in the near future I could do that. But until then enjoy browsing along with me. - Thea

1960s Vintage Vibin'

In my constant quest for vintage fabrics, I often happen upon vintage clothing. I am compelled to save them and find them new homes on selling sites like my Etsy store. I just can’t leave goodies behind.

On a recent hunt, I found a handful of vintage dresses and one romper that were not 24’ waist. Bigger (normal) sizes are a bit harder to find in the vintage department.

I upswept my grays for this shoot. :)

Most of the items were in the 1960s style like the dress pictured above. The 60’s isn’t my vibe. I prefer some uptight secretary look from the 40’s or 80s with longer hems. The world got enough of my bare gams when I played roller derby.

But there was something about this print that reminded me of my Aunt Onalee. There is a picture some where with my Aunt wearing something very similar to this with the flash brightening up her face an illuminating her smile. If I were to keep this dress, I’d call it my Onalee. Since I felt the connection, I had to do a little 60’s shoot.

I’m hoping to find this gal a new home. She’s a vintage size 14 with a ton of stretch. Up to a 42” bust/38” waist and 38” in length. For reference I’m a 38F/44” hips and I’m 5’4” on a good day. I had tons of room to move and stretch in this. The Brand is Sacony and you know it’s polyester. I do already have it listed but if you are interested, leave me a comment below to inquire about it’s status.

The kanzashi worn in this shoot will be available in my shop shortly.

xo-thea

Some favorite thrift finds and my first button down blouse.

John and I had a vintage hard to find Legoland Castle set(s) to share this week on my channel. So, I thought it would be fun to share a couple of our favorite thrift finds too.

In other news, I made my first successful button down blouse. I’ll be dedicating a post to this in the future as I am currently making more. I am genuinely surprised that I got the fit right in the bust, but boy howdy - I am stoked about it.

In other sewing news, a neighbor in my local Buy Nothing Group offered up a big box of vintage sewing patterns. I was on it and was lucky to be selected.

There are so many goodies in there, I can’t wait to try a few of them.

Sorry to those of you who follow me for my kanzashi work. I just haven’t had any new projects that are completed to share. I still do make them. Also, I am indulging this sewing bug that I have. I really do appreciate the support and encouragement on my sewing projects.

Tomorrow’s blog post will be a long awaited one and it’s a recipe. So come back tomorrow for that.

xo-Thea

Vintage 1970's Nishijin Pachinko Machine + Mother's Day 2021

I took a hint and a few nudges and very recently started sharing some vintage things I’ve happened upon or acquired. First was my 1940’s Vanity. That was on my wishlist for so long, I felt it warranted a dedicated vlog/blog post.

Just a few days after acquiring my vanity another long wished for item was checked off of my list.

A vintage Pachinko Machine!

After some Mother’s Day shenanigans, John and I share a bit about the machine in my video this week. John did have to do some light repair with more to do in the near future. It is fully functional and super fun. it is everything I hoped it would be. As mentioned in the video, we do intend to mount it on a wall of our family room and do an entire photoshoot around it. Because, it’s us.

Admittedly, the entire reason I’ve wanted one is due to the movie Kamikaze Girls. That movie influenced so many aspects of my life when it came out. I often say that my aesthetic is a cross between Kamikaze Girls and Morticia Addams. At least I aspire it to be that.

My bebes doing pictures right.

My Mother’s Day was a good one. One of my long standing gifts for Mother’s Day is a group photo. As you can see, we get creative with that too. I love my brood, they are a fun bunch. I am extremely lucky.

Not sure where Trevor is for this picture but this is one of my favorite pictures from this weekend.

For those of you who follow me for fabric, you are in luck. This week I am adding some new vintage fabric yardage (That’s right yardage!) to my Etsy shop. I have some incredible mid century deadstock fabric that I plan to take an obscene amount of photos of.

Stay tuned for that.

xo-Thea

My 1940's Vanity

In the hub-bub of last week on a supply run to the fabric store I popped in to Goodwill that was on the way. The thrift gods directed me there to present me with a find that has been on my want list for a very long time.

A 1940’s vanity set.

Obviously this warranted a full vlog post about it. I explain why I wanted one so badly as well as some recent failed attempts on getting one.

xo-Thea