Embroidery on my new (to me) Willcox and Gibbs handcrank.

My first piece sewn with the Willcox and Gibbs.

I did it!

I ordered an antique sewing machine on the internet.  I have heard all the horror stories but Wolfegang's Collectibles has a sterling reputation and I felt safe.

I have been wanting a Willcox and Gibbs handcrank chain stitch machine for a while. When I saw Michael had a selection I was first in line.  

This is what the box looked like when I picked it up at the post office.

The box with the machine in it.

And this is what it looked like after I opened it.

Really?  There is a sewing machine in there?

I started removing the grey stuff. 
It is fairly stiff foam.  Lots and lots of foam.

Eventually I could access the box the machine was in. It was wrapped tightly with cling wrap.

Cling wrapped box. 

I was excited to open it.  When I did it found....

MORE FOAM!

This was what was in it.  I had to remove one piece to even see the machine.  

Anybody need some foam?

Eventually, with much careful foam removal, I uncovered this little beauty.

         More cling wrap!

And then I got it out.  It was in there very tight!  I put the spool holder and the crank on. They had been removed (and cling wrapped) for safe shipping.  Then I admired it greatly.

So pretty!

I had to clean and polish it up and oil it a lot and play with it a little.  It is working perfectly, the tension is correct and I am thrilled to have it.

So, anyone want some foam?

Hugs,

Nancy

The Lunch Box mayonnaise recipe

The Lunch Box book

Mary makes her own mayonnaise.  She has been coaching me on making it also.  I've made it once.

I wanted to share this recipe I found in a 1946 cookbook.  I think I will try this recipe next time. There isn't a lot of variation in the recipes but I tend to get "creative" and need to dial it back a little. 

This is the cover page of the book.   Maybe I should read more of it.  I just found the mayo recipe when the book opened to that page as I was moving it.

1946.  Only 76 years old.

And here is the recipe.

I'll probably lower the sodium.

I will continue to use Mary's method with an immersion blender and a narrow glass jar.  It was super easy and fast.  Lemon juice is a must.

Hugs,

Nancy