TraditionalForestSámiMen'sCostume

Here is what I've been up to lately. I have made a traditional style Forest Sámi Men's costume. This design bases strictly on the oldest historical facts about the traditional woolen fabric costume Forest Sámi men used over the times in central Lapland area in Finland. This is a costume for daily-life-use. This is my personal thank you gift for our fabulous Niko Rytilahti who leads our volunteer linguistic team with great success without any funding. Despite of his busy life and duties, he has found time to help me with my upcoming Forest Sámi costume history book.

I sew this costume with Anne to create more authentic expression. Also, we used the authentic material. The grey woolen fabric is recycled military blanket. Why we used a military blanket? Well, Niko had it and he wanted to use it. It was in excellent condition so there was no reason not to. Military blankets were  manufactured in the mills that don't exist anymore, and from where also Forest Sámi people bought thick wool fabrics for their national costumes especially for men. It they didn't weave it at home.💚

The costume is very thick and warm. When Niko starts to wear it, it begins to adjust on his body form. Wool is great and alive material!

What about Anne?

Those who have been reading my blog for a longer time, for sure, remember Anne of Green Gables. You know Anne belonged to my granny. I found Anne on 2016. Still Anne has secrets that has been fascinating my mind and I have not found answer. Until now...

First of all, I have been quite curious about Anne because she really is a treadle sewing machine who can embroider and has electric lights. More you think about it the more you start to wonder why on earth she has electric lights but no electric engine. I really have started to think Husqvarna Automatic 51A was a great heureka-moment of a human mind "Hey, let's put electric lights on it". And when the prototype was finished they stared at it at the factory very confused and finally said aloud "Why on earth we didn't include the electric engine?!!" 👀

During these years living and working with Anne, I have tried to trace her family tree. I want to know when she was born. I know she was born in Sweden but when was that and why she is such an extraordinary girl.

I've asked it even from the importer and manufacturer but had no other replies than "no questions" or "we don't know". I am not asking to solve out Anne's value to sell her. No, not at all, Anne is not for sale. I am asking just because I am a bit obsessed with my sewing machines. You know also Husqvarna C.B. lives here. (I am not quite sure about her yet. She was actually given to YoungLady. We still wonder what to do with its cabin table surface...) And also Helga still lives here and is doing just fine. They, Anne and Helga, share the duties. Helga is very tired of everything so she does easy tasks. Anne who loves to be alive and have a home and not to be forgotten does all the hardest work like when she helped out me with my fur coat. 

So, I have been asking here and there. No result. Until I joined in a social media group and asked if anyone knows anything about her. And wow, despite of these hard COVID-19 times I found helpful people and was told Anne was born on 1960. She is a flat bed version of Husqvarna Automatic 21A.

 When I heard that, I wondered why on earth they did both but then I had my heureka-moment. Of course! Electricity was not reachable every where all the time. But why exactly my granny chose 51A instead of 21A? Think about it where I live. The same region where also my granny lived. Despite she lived even more rural. Electric breaks were a daily life challenges especially on the winter season when the frost and snow did the damages and it may last weeks until the company got it all fixed, especially if the damage was in the wilderness (through which the lines run). Of course she chose treadle sewing machine. Anything else would have been irrational! You can always use a candle to give some light for your sewing but if the machine has electric engine you just can't use it when there's the electric break!

To thank these nice and helpful people in the group I took some more pics of Anne to show her table and basin in a proper way. I have noticed there's not much the famous internet can tell about Anne, so also that's why I share more pics for people who seek information. I think I have all the pieces of her. So, lets' dive into Anne's secrets!

Anne's table cover is in a good fit if you think she's actually 61 years old and have been in use for decades. But she could look better if she had not been placed in my granny's kitchen for decades. My granny also painted and did all kind of crafts. Most of the marks on Anne's surface are oil paint drops etc. and caused by granny's painting and drawing hobby.

From my previous blog posts (which I linked right on the begin of this post) you can see more pics about Anne, so here we go straight into the point.

Anne has actually a key and locks. I must confess I didn't realize this proper until now when I took these pics for this post! By the key you can open the table lid and drawers. Now I also realized Anne's key doesn't fit into the lock, deep inside. My dear husband opened the locks to see what was wrong. He found out the key is actually too big! He tried to squeeze it gently a bit but it didn't work. I wonder if Anne's key has interchanged.

Under the table, at the left side of Anne, are two supports

Anne's table lid has two "hooks" which fit into these supporters. When you place the lid on the left side of the table, the table turns out bigger.

Anne has three drawers. That helps a lot to keep her stuff in safe. I've made bags for her guide book and power line which I store inside the cabin with Anne.

I was actually taking this pic when I realized Anne has locks!

Anne's very important little things are stored in the original box which I keep in her drawer.

Anne's cabin has a hole and a cover. I usually keep the cover away, stored inside the cabin, because it is a bit loose. I fear it to drop down and dogs to chew it. I am not sure was the hole made up to be it easier to use the bobbin. 

I am so short that it is hard for me to reach the bobbin through the hole. Instead and much easier I reach the bobbin from upwards by my tiny hands.

The cabin has plenty of space. Anne fits in well with her belongings.

The drive band ends have been fastened to each other in an interesting way. When learning to use wheel spindle at art college I was educated 😄 to do it otherwise. But if you sew the ends to each other there are two risks:

1) it doesn't stay and breaks up again and again

2) the joint gets too thick and it makes a bouncing way when going around the wheel, that disturbs of course and causes challenges in working

Anne's left side stand.

Anne's right side stand and wheel.

Anne's wheel.

The Logo.

Busy Autumn

Autumn creates beautiful colors in MyWorld. The frost was here already. My BurnetRose has tiny RoseBerries and RowanTrees are blushing shyly.

I swap some Apples to pumpkins and made 2 kg tasty pumpkin marmalade spiced with lemon and ginger.

AutumnSeason is always busy in MyWorld. Today I needed to help Him out to fix some hunting accessories. I must tell you He tried to do it by Himself but Anne Of Green Gables was very upset. It was unheard-of, rude and shameless that a MAN opened Her cabinet, pulled Her out and tried to use Her! No way, She said! She is very moral old-fashioned girl! I am sure I heard Her sigh when I arrived home and saved Her from the depravity of masculine hands!

AutumnBag

Several years ago I got a beautiful gift from a friend. She had stitched me a wall hanging. Later it turn out I was not the only one to like about it. TheCat turn out to have weird obsession to it. At the end I had to took it away from the wall and keep it hidden to make it to be safe. Since that it has been in my sideboard.

 I have been thinking and thinking what to do whit it so that it could be around but safe from TheCatClaws. Now I finally figured it out! Anne of Green Gables needs another bag with CoffeeBagPatchwork.

See, Anne has got new power line. From the 1st pics you can see the old was green and this new on is much longer and white. No matter was the power line short or long it has a risk to be squashed in the treadle sewing machine cabinet between the machine and cabinet. It is very rare that a treadle swing machine has a power line but mine does. I have noticed it would be very practical if the power line would have a bag to keep it safe.

I realized I could make the bag from the pretty wall hanging DearM stitched for me. Now I finally can see it often and use it, hold it and just admire it. And TheCat can do nothing about it anymore!

I used velcro to close the bag just in the middle. In this way -if I need just a little bit of the power line- the rest can stay rolled up in the bag! Very useful idea.

DearL gave me some old fabric which I fould very suitable with this beautiful stitching whose designer I don't know.

These two very important bags of Anne fit in the cabinet with Her very well.

CoffeeBagPatchWork

Today's upcycling sewing started with my own design work and reading old manual of Anne. 

The manual is very useful, despite it is very old...

...and have faced damages.

Sewing went fine and Anne was very happy to have bag for Her manual. Anyway I could have picked up easier material for my first project with Her.

But Anne didn't mind. She was born in Sweden and dragged to rural Finland on the time when coffee was not everyday issue to drink even  more often than pure water! So I made bag for Her manual from old coffee bags I had saved for my crafts. (As long as I breath in MyHouse is served FairTrade and organic coffee.)

Anne was very kind, happy and hard working despite the material was new to Her.

The shades of upcycled coffee bags fit so well to Anne's shads. Don't you think so too?

Into the bag I put Her manual, transmission list from Her service (to remember what all was done to Her and when) and some fabric for test sewing moments. The bag I placed in the cabinet with Anne. I heard Her humming with satisfaction. Despite the coffee bags are washed they still have the scent of good dark coffee. Hopefully the scent will fill up the cabinet and She will have cheerful coffee scented moments in Her cabinet. She has come to life!

Anne of Green Gables

Yes I know. I am a bit obsessed with my sewing machines. But they are so important to me! I can not live without them. Last March before Easter I got my 1st ever treadle sewing machine. We call Her Vihervaaran Anna (Anne of Green Gables).

She is very Swedish Girl and She is finally back home!!!!! I made Her a proper bath (not literally) and pampered Her a lot. I placed Her on MyVeranda where She can see MyGarden and hear the wind that comes from the sea and brings greetings from Sweden which locates at the opposite shore not too far away. I told Her She is very special treadle sewing machine. She is from late 50's, has electric lights but still is a treadle sewing machine! She is Husqvarna automatic 51A.

I had never before tried out a treadle sewing machine. It works better when you tread Her like this; one foot front and one foot back. When you make sure the hand wheel goes all the time to the right direction (towards you) it all goes very well.

I thought it would have been more difficult and I had arranged the whole afternoon to spent with Anne. Perhaps She liked my loving whispers and made me to learn it all very fast. The next plan is to get used to Her. My craft & art teacher told me the 1st thing you sew with your new machine is the hood to keep the dust away. Well, Anne doesn't need the hood because She has this old fashion cabinet. Instead Her guide book has faced several distress during all these years. I will make a bag for her guide book!

Anne's Drawers

I've been working a bit with Anne's furniture. I managed to find this for Her. Years ago I got pack of Scented Drawer Liners from MyEnglishFriend as a gift. I still had one sheet of it left. It was far enough for Anne's Drawers.

Such beautiful PastTimesDesign! When I got this here was no such thing available in MyWorld. We had Drawers Liners; but not English style, not to mention scented ones!

I've been trying to seek information about Anne of Green Gables on internet. So far no succeed. She seems to be very special one because she is a treadle sewing machine but she has electric lights and embroidery abilities. She is Husqvarna automatic 51A. Stamped with Crown and Vapenfabriks. Still she has proper carpenter's work everywhere.

English drawer liners fit so well with her style!

Yesterday I called to the mechanic and he told me to call one week before I have business by Arctic Circle so he'll make sure I'll get Anne back home at the same time.

Anne's valise

Anne of Green Gables is still at rehabilitation but her valise is here. We put her stuff in a plastic bag and carried home. When I started to sort it all out I felt I was again By the treasure box.

Also the instruction book was there. A bit torn and one page missing; but still there: available.

I was happy to find MyGranny's old thimble. It is size 15. Exactly the one I've been seeking and seeking. Mine is 16 and that is the smallest I have found. It just is too big for my finger when it is cold and chilly.

I also found old needles, pins, buttons, lace, embroidery thread and sewing thread. Even the KEY was there.

I hardly can wait to get Anne back home. See, she really is Husqvarna automatic. Some embroidery should be able to be done by her! No wonder my mom told Anne was very modern and automatic when my granny bought her.

Can you see the odd metallic thing on the corners of the picture above. On the lower corners? It took me for a while to understand what it was. Then I realized each pair of my riding trousers have one to lock up the zipper; like button! :)

I also fund and old jewel of mine. I had forgot it a life time ago. But when I saw it I remembered it. I made it on one art camp when I was not at my teens yet; I think I was around 8-10 years. Later on that summer it got broken and they promised to fix it. It was still there but unfixed. My dear hubby promised to fix it for me and make the leather cords for it which it had but is lost now. <3

MyHusqvarna

Helga is getting old. She is my 2nd ever sewing machine. She is Husqvarna Viking Huskystar E20. She has got her name from literature; according to Hagar the Horrible's poor wife.

My 1st sewing machine was called IirisRukka (free translation = PoorIris) according to Finnish author Anni Sawn's story about orphan girl. I can not remember which type my 1st sewing machine was but it was the simplest available on 1996. It was the time electronic started to get into sewing machines more and more. Embroidery abilities and everything. I wanted just basic sewing machine so I got IirisRukka as my WeddingMorningGift which is traditionally given to bride so that she can earn her own living if something happens to her brand new husband. Still I named my new sewing machine PoorIris because I knew how hard she will need to work no matter will my dear husband stay alive or not. And I would feel totally orphan if something ever happens to my hubby. <3

Years after I needed new sewing machine because at the end -when my dear hubby was still very much alive- PoorIris just literally fell apart. I still miss her: peace to her soul...

So I ended up to Helga with whom I've been singing a lot. Helga has been chosen like PoorIris. PoorIris was the last iron based Husqvarna machines which still were produced in Sweden despite she looked all plastic. She had much plastic but more iron than PoorIris. Helga has not been as excellent as I wished. Too plastic, too light. And so she has started to give me a hard time. So, seriously, despite she is still working, I have started to consider to get another sewing machine.

I have always loved Husqvarna sewing machines. Why? Well, they come from Sweden so availability in MyWorld is great; also for the replacement parts. They are proper machines so I do just fine with them. But I've been seeking and seeking new machine. Even been considering to change the trade mark. I don't dare to buy it because I don't know what to get today. They all look plastic, promise this and that... but how can I know. Over 20 years have passed and Helga last must less than PoorIris... I need power, not pretty out look, from my sewing machines.

BUT... on the other day before Easter I was visiting my mother and realized I had forgot something about my grandmother. But when I saw IT I got flash back and immediately at the front of my eyes I saw granny very much alive. IT had started to be revealed under the piles of stuff stored and sorted out in her bed room. IT was breathless. I was holding my breath. We stared at each other and then I could only say with greed and love: "You still have IT here! Can I have IT?" Well, I didn't got HER so easy. At First I needed to tell why I suddenly want it despite I had been offered even more ancient sewing machine after the death of my mother's granny. Well, I was young and fool then and didn't understand these could be better than brand new ones. When my mother understood I am going to use it if we get it function she allowed Him to carry it out.

And so IT became SHE. I heard HER taking HER 1st breath after too many years. The story tells SHE should be just fine like SHE was before my granny had her stroke but He took HER to sewing machine mechanic to get oil changed, checked up and pampered before we demand anything from HER. The mechanic was enthusiastic and said SHE'll be doing just fine and is going to be a great worker. He'll call me by the arctic circle when SHE is ready to come home from her rehabilitation holiday. Hopefully in a month.

So, may I introduce... Anne of Green Gables!!! (Vihervaaran Anna in Finnish.) Yep, from Lucy Maud Montgomery's stories.

She is Husqvarna Automatic sewing machine from 50's I think. She has electric lights! WOW! I love her already.

She is as nostalgic as Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables. I wish her to be as everlasting and legendary too. At the moment I set all my hope on her and wish she will stay with me for years and last over the times, storms and disasters.

Anne of Green Gables, I hope you will be just fine. I don't mind you are people powered sewing machine; a treadle sewing machine... as long as you work proper with thick materials. I love you already. <3