Sew Cranky

Today's guild program and workshop is going down as one of my all time favorites. I'd arranged for Sew Cranky to give a talk and demonstration of their antique hand-crank sewing machines.
 

I was expecting three or four machines but there were 16 working machines and a few others just for display, all from the late 1800's to early 1900's. And they were gorgeous. 

Mike's talk on the invention and history of the sewing machine was interesting and funny. This was the first 'lecture' presentation they'd done - they usually do hands-on demos at civil war reenactments and historical sites - and we gave them an A+. If you ever have a chance to see them in action, it's well worth it. 

 
The nine of us in the workshop had a choice of making a grocery bag or "pocket" bag, and almost everyone chose the pocket.
 
I envision using this as a spindle bag, or to hold yarn for a crochet project on-the-go, or to take along to flea markets to carry all my (small-ish) treasures. It can be tied around the waist or worn as a shoulder bag, making it a great all-purpose little thing.
 
The stitching isn't the most even, but when you consider it was made using a machine over 100 years old, wonky stitch lines can be excused.
 
And the best thing of all? Mike and Ginger refurbish old sewing machines. So this poor neglected little thing, which has been sitting in my garage for well over 20 years, is going to get a make-over.
 
Based on patent dates on the bobbin plate, Mike thinks this is from 'teens to 1920's.
 
Can't wait to see it all polished up and pretty.