Miniatures had to stand back for a while as my week was consumed by a real life project: I made myself a ballet leotard. Even though the process was quite challenging and took a long time to complete, it gave me an idea for my next miniature project. The tiny people can not sew with an 19th century manual sewing machine forever, can they. Therefore I decided to provide them with a new modern Sewer sewing machine.
I got the idea a few days back but due to my fear of polymer clay I kept on procrastinating as long as I could. Eventually the craftsman instinct kicked in and I simply had to begin. First, I looked for some reference photos on the internet and ended up choosing Singer Tradition 2259 as my model. The choice was quite easy as the very same sewing machine sits right underneath my table and can be examined for details any time.
I took the glass out of an old picture frame and used it as a workbench as polymer clay doesn’t stick on glass too badly and tends to melt plastic when not yet baked.
I started by making the base for the machine. I measured the suitable width with a doll, cut out a rectangle and rounded the edges. Then I cut out the free-arm.
The side post I made by cutting a thicker rectangle and placing it on the base so that the back edges match and the base overlaps in the front. I then started adding sloping pieces of clay on the front to achieve the curvy shape of the machine.
For the top I first rolled some clay into a 2mm thick sheet and cut a narrow piece out of it. I left the other end straight and curved the other. From the back edge of the sheet I cut out a small bit for the thread. After that I added another layer under the top leaving the straight end with only one layer to avoid making it too tall. I then attached a lump of clay to the rounded end and shaped it to fit nicely. Then I put the pieces together, filled in the gaps with thin strips of clay and shoved it into the oven (110°C, 30min).
As the body was baking, I started making all the tiny details of the machine from the fly wheel to the switches. For the fly wheel and the thread length adjuster I rolled some clay and cut it into small circles. One circle’s sides I pressed thinner and added a smaller circle in the middle. That one became the stitch selector. The needle thread tension dial is simply a semicircle with ribbed edge. In the end I attached all these tiny pieces to the machine by “gluing” them with Fimo liquid and baking for 20 minutes.
After baking I sanded down all the rough edges as well as I could and started painting. First, I gave the machine two coats of white acrylic paint and added details with black, red, and blue once the base coats were dry. The metal “disc” I made silver by colouring over the spot with silver paint pen. I once again looked for reference on the internet and checked a few things on my own machine. I named the brand Sewer and wrote in on the front with permanent marker.
Finally, I glued some metal bits in place. I bent a bit of wire for the presser foot and cut a piece of some very thin wire for the needle. To make the gluing process easier I used some crimp tubes as they have more surface to be glued and are more stable than thin wire ends. I also added the details for threading and spooling. In the very end I attached the pedal to the machine with some black thread. Two coats of Fimo Gloss varnish were the finishing touch. Sew on and sew forth!
And the materials:
White Fimo clay
White acrylic paint
Black acrylic paint
Red acrylic paint
Blue acrylic paint
Glass sheet
Silver paint pen
Black permanent marker
Crimp tubes
Wire (1mm and less than 0,5mm thick)
Fimo Gloss varnish
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