Mar 29, 2022

VINTAGE FINDS: The Perfect Pinker

I found this at an antique store over the weekend. The Perfect Pinker Model 1000. This vintage sewing tool cuts through fabric leaving a beautiful pinked edge.

 
 
It works like scissors, but instead of using traditional scissor blades it uses a smooth rolling wheel that the pinking blade pushes against. Fabric is placed between the wheel and pinker blade. While using short scissor like motions the fabric will self-feed.

 
Manufactured by the Metropolitan Cutlery Company, the Perfect Pinker is also stamped with Crane Brand, A Florian Product and has two cranes facing each other. Patent number 2174222 was issued in 1939. 
 
The instruction booklet says Metropolitan Cutlery Company was established in 1835 in New York, NY. The booklet also serves as an advertisement for other Met Co products such as cuticle nippers, nail files, clipper, tweezers, manicure scissors, dressmaking scissors, and hair cutting shears.
 
They measure approx. 7" L x 3"W x 1” thick. They are fairly hefty in weight. My research indicates they may have been manufactured in the 1950’s which makes sense with the black enamel paint. Aside from a couple scratches, the paint is in great condition and very shiny. Both the original box and instruction manual are in great condition also.
 
The inventor, Berkeley Julian Florian, was an inventor and manufacturer. He also held patents for folding scissors, folding wheelbarrow, and two-headed hammer. Berkeley was born in New York City, lived in Plantsville, CT (where the Perfect Pinkers were manufactured) and Florida. He also was a builder in CT and developed Forian Isles in Dania Beach, FL. He passed away in September 30, 2004 at the age of 98.
Except during WWII, the pinkers were manufactured by the family until 2007. In 2013, Overall Manufacturing received the rights to manufacture, repair and sell the Florian Rotary Pinkers. They cost over $100 new, with shipping.
 
When I saw this in a locked case at the antique store, I knew I had to add it to my vintage sewing collection. Only $4.50! Not only is it a cool tool, it works great so I can use it when I need a pinked edge. I have to say it works much better than the more modern pinking shears I own.
 

Until next time,
 


 
 

Aug 27, 2021

American Sampler

 I started American Sampler by Plum Street Samplers in March of 2020.

I'm stitching it on Wichelt Gray Mist Linen with Classic Colorworks, WDW, GAST, and DMC threads.  Not in the photo, but I'm using Needle Necessities Razzle Dazzle Red for the flags and bunting on the fence.

 

Below are some progress photos:


At the start of last weekend, this is what I had completed:


By the end of the weekend, I made so much progress!


Until next time...

Aug 19, 2021

Friendship Signature Quilt WIP

When I saw the tutorial by MSQC, I absolutely knew I ::had:: to do this quilt project!  I've asked my friends, both online and offline, to help me create a Friendship Signature Quilt.  Through the use of technology, signatures have been coming in from all over the USA and the world.  How cool is that?!

Here are some of the blocks I've made so far:



 

This quilt will have a scrappy floral vibe using two fabric collections:
Serene Spring fabric collection by RJR Fabrics
Meadow Bloom by Wilmington Prints
 

I've got about six or seven signatures waiting for me to make blocks with, and four enroute via mail.  I'm looking forward to seeing how this project turns out! 

Until next time...

Aug 18, 2021

County Fair Fun!

It's been over twenty years since I entered competition in my county's fair.  This year, I scoured my mind as to what I could enter into the fair.  Since no fair was held in 2020, items made in 2020 and 2021 were eligible for entry. Much to my surprise, I won ribbons for all four items I entered!

Class: Full Size Quilt
Stars Squared Quilt
1st Place


It took me 18 months to piece, quilt, and bind this quilt on my domestic sewing machine (Janome 9450). I used Home for the Holidays II fabric collection by Borderless which is absolutely beautiful! Because I wanted to add borders to the quilt, I didn't have enough of the Grey Mist fabric and had to go on the hunt to find more... It was then I found out the fabric collection had been discontinued. Luckily, I located a company in California (Google is friend!) that had a 3yd bundle on clearance. ::whew:: I finished this quilt in 2020.

Class: Cross Stitch Pillow
Tie On October by Pine Mountain Designs
1st Place 

This took me about three hours to stitch this up on 10ct Heatherfield fabric with DMC threads.  Pine Mountain has a pillow form to go with these Tie Ons.  At the last hour (literally, the day before I was supposed to drop off my entries), I decided I didn't like the pillow form and I made a new one out of purple fabric.  I shoved the original form inside my purple one.  So much better!

Class: Small Cross Stitch Sampler
Suffrage Act by Little House Needleworks
2nd Place

I finished this August 18, 2020, excactly 100 years after the women's right to vote was ratified (See my previous post). It's Stitched on 28ct Silkweaver Lugana "Days Gone By" with GAST, DMC, and Classic Colorworks threads.  I changed the design by adding bricks at the top.
Class: Small Holiday Craft (No Christmas)
Camille Renee Mug Mat
4th Place
 

This is the first wool applique project I'd ever done. It was a lot of fun to make.  I love the embroidered skirt and the cute button tags.

So how about you?  Have you entered anything in the county fair? I'd love to hear about it.

Until next time...


Aug 18, 2020

Suffrage Act

 One Hundred years ago today, Congress ratified the Suffrage Act.  The 19th amendment granted women the right to vote in the United States.  Here's a good article on the suffrage movement:  Women's Suffrage - Fight For The Vote.

To commemorate, the hard won victory, I've completed stitching Suffrage Act.


Designer: Little House Needleworks
Started: January 17, 2020.
Finished August 18, 2020
Fabric: 28ct Silkweaver Lugana "Days Gone By"
Fibers:GAST, DMC, and Classic Colorworks threads

This was fun to stitch up.  I changed quite a few of the colors to suit my taste.

Ladies - Exercise your right and vote!