buy me a
coffee?

If you love what I do and want to support my chainstitching journey, you can “buy me a coffee” (or let’s be honest, help me fund new thread and material purchases as I experiment to create the best possible products). Every stitch I make is powered by late-night creativity, my vintage Singer machine, and an ever-growing pile of supplies. The cost of keeping this beautiful art/machine alive is high, but so is my love for it!

Your support helps me invest in the tools, spare 1950’s machine parts, and materials. But most importantly it helps me invest the time needed to grow, learn, and keep bringing these unique, hand-crafted pieces to life. Think of it as fueling both my coffee cup and my passion for this art.

No pressure, of course—your interest alone means the world! But if you’d like to toss a little extra love my way, I’d be forever grateful (and so would my Singer). Thank you for helping me keep this timeless art alive, one stitch and one cup of coffee at a time!

Your generous contribution helps support the time, effort, and resources needed to preserve the art of chainstitch embroidery. Donations do not guarantee any product or service in return. However, your support allows me to continue creating one-of-a-kind pieces, sharing this craft with others, and keeping this beautiful art form alive for future generations. Thank you for your kindness and support! 💕

 FAQs

  • The Singer 114w103 is a vintage chainstitch embroidery machine first introduced in 1911 and inspired by the original Cornely chainstitch machine invented in 1865. Chainstitch is an embroidery technique that uses looped stitches to create a chain-like pattern, perfect for flowing, curved lines that mimic “drawing” with thread.

    Before lockstitch machines were invented in 1832, chainstitch was the primary stitch used in sewing machines, and it has a rich history dating back to hand-sewn examples from the 3rd century BC. The Singer 114w103 was widely used to add custom names and decorative details to garments, handkerchiefs, and workwear in the mid-20th century.

    Unlike modern, computer-based embroidery machines, the Singer 114w103 is fully hand-operated, requiring the artist to guide the machine manually using a handle mechanism that rotates in any direction. This gives each piece a truly one-of-a-kind quality. While the learning curve is steep, the results are timeless and designed to last a lifetime, making it both a craft and an art form.

  • It takes time and patience to master! Steering the machine is a bit like “drawing” with a sewing machine, and it often takes hours of practice to feel comfortable with its rhythm. Many artists spend months or even years honing their skills, not just with embroidering, but with learning how to maintain the machine itself. That said, the results are worth the effort. The learning curve is part of the charm, and every piece created is a labor of love.

  • I’ve always loved sewing and embroidery machines, but traditional sewing didn’t capture my imagination the way chainstitch embroidery does. I first discovered chainstitching when I saw someone using a vintage machine to create bold, custom designs. It felt like watching someone “draw” with thread, and I was hooked!

    When I got my own machine, it took about 80 hours of practice to learn how to control the hand-crank and guide the machine smoothly. It was a challenge, but the process became meditative and deeply rewarding. Now, I love bringing my customers’ unique ideas to life, one stitch at a time!