Who says that about ironing? Me, now that I have my Iron Rite Ironer (Mangle) working. I had no idea how much fun and how neat this was to use.
We took a little trip in April to California and some of our favorite antique stores. I like the stores in Orange best. I purchased this top.
Paid way too much for it, but I am a sucker for Ruby McKim patterns and this is flowers from her
"Flower Garden Quilt" 1930.
It did have issues. Some stains and the construction was awful. Big rippley sashing. I just had to start taking it apart immediately. So after a trip to Jo-Ann's for a seam ripper, I spent the remaining days of our trip taking it apart. Not an easy project. Tiny, tiny stitches in some parts.
By the time we got back home I had it all apart. Soaked the blocks, and gently washed the green sashing and borders. I knew I wanted to make the blocks smaller, too much background for me. When I had them all laid out to dry, I thought about the Iron Rite Model 88 I had sitting in my garage for over a year. One thing lead to another, and soon I had the thing working with a new muslin cover. Doesn't it look great?
I had no idea just how great this was to iron with. It is soooo cool! In no time at all I had all of the blocks and sashing pressed and ready to recut. This machine is a must if you love and do applique and embroidery. There is no way my handheld iron could have gotten these so perfectly pressed. You press them damp and it is like you starched them. If you want more info on the ironers check this site out.
Lots of info and there are videos on using the thing. Who knew?
Finished top!I am very happy with the finished results. Now I am thinking about all those vintage dresser scarfs that need washing and ironing.
All I can say is WOW!! The top looks absolutely wonderful. You were certainly correct about the background being a bit too large -- it's perfect now, and the proportions of the sashing look better, too.
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice to know someone else who loves taking apart old tops and putting them back together. I have this pattern, and I think I'll take another look at it now. Great Job, Lynn.
Oh wow, what an amazing machine! I would love ironing if it was mechanized like this... Thanks also for the iron advice you left on my blog. I wish we had a Costco here, the return policy sounds dreamy! It turns out my new iron likes to spit boiling hot water sometimes, which keeps me on my toes. Your quilt re-do looks gorgeous by the way!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great job you did re-stitsching that top, Lynn! Never heard of a modern mangler. I'm intrigued. Does your husband have a hobby that also involves some kind of hobby? I can't get my husbadn near an antique store.
ReplyDeleteAhhh...my grandmother had one of these in her nursing home. Eventually it ended up on our back porch...what memories. Thanks for sharing pictures!
ReplyDeleteAhhh...my grandmother had one of these in her nursing home. Eventually it ended up on our back porch...what memories. Thanks for sharing pictures!
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