Gretchen Ronnevik

Giveaway Day! Woo Hoo! COMMENTS CLOSED FOR REVIEW!

sewing

Are you as excited as I am? Did you fall asleep last night with sugarplum fairies dancing in your head? I know I did. Welcome, those from SewMamaSew, in addition to the “regulars”.

Here is my first ever blog giveaway: Peppermint and Poinsettias!


This lovely apron is in one size fits most. It’s seen on my dress form, and I am a tiny girl, so that’s why the bodice looks a bit big. It’s from the “Emmaline Apron” pattern put out by Sew Liberated. I’ve been wanting this pattern for awhile, and it just came last week! I am not licensed to sell this pattern, but this is not being sold. It will be sent free to the winner.


It has these rich poinsettias, with an accent fabric of red with tiny white polka dots. But if you don’t like that…


flip the apron around…it’s reversible. This is my husband’s favorite side, and I might add my kids as well. However, the cloudy day gave me lighting that does not do it’s cuteness justice. It’s fun peppermints scattered all over, with the same mini polka trim.

The pattern designer also shows that it can be tied in the front. That may not be handy when you’re cooking, but when you’re working around the house and have a toddler running around with a runny nose, you have something handy to wipe it with. (I didn’t just say that…did I?) After that last comment, I should probably add I just made this…it is not used. 😉

RULES! If you want to win this lovely reversible apron you need to know the RULES!

This will not be a drawing. This is a contest to name my unnamed sewing machine. For those who are visiting and don’t regularly follow my blog, my main machine is Sassy Pfaffy. Then came a sewing machine who is now a retired beauty, living on display above my kitchen cupboards. She was named Selma after her first owner.

I have a Brother serger on the way who will be named once he arrives. I say “he” because he’s a “Brother”. Hee Hee. I crack myself up sometimes.

Then there is this machine…a steal from a garage sale:


Isn’t she pretty, all dressed up for Christmas with her red thread? She’s a Kenmore, born circa 1950. Immaculate condition, and with all original pieces/manual/etc. YOU ARE NOT WINNING THIS MACHINE. Name this machine for me, and you’ll win the apron. You aren’t guessing a name I’ve picked out, but suggesting one for me to choose.

You can leave anywhere from 1-3 name suggestions in your comment. Please only one comment per person. If more than one person suggests a name, the person who suggests it first will get credit for it. Leaving more names will not benefit you at all if they’re all bad. All my other machines have names that begin with “S”. (Sassy Pfaffy, Selma and S***** the serger…whose name will not be revealed until he arrives.) It’s not a theme I intended, and don’t feel like you have to follow that, because I don’t care either way. If you need a starting point, though, you can start there.

**Although we all feel like calling our sewing machines names that are not very nice from time to time, that is not their “given name”. Please do not leave inappropriate or crude names. Those comments will be deleted immediately.**

With your suggestion(s) please include your first name and last initial if you are leaving a comment anonymously, and include your email address so I can contact you if you win. I do not sell these addresses.

You can post your comment anytime between now and Sunday night. I’ll announce the winner Monday morning. I will post between now and then, though. Don’t leave comments in any other post with suggestions. Only comments in this post will be considered.

I will not cover shipping internationally, but if you are desperate for this apron, and do not live in the States, I will ask you to cover shipping through Paypal.

Need to know more about her? After my incident with Sassy Pfaffy on Monday, I took this gal out for a spin yesterday afternoon. She was running kinda clunky, and realized she probably hasn’t been oiled in who knows how long. I take out the manual to see where to insert sewing machine oil and WOWZERS!


Ummm, Sassy Pfaffy has one spot to oil. One spot.


This gal has 2 pages of pictures in the manual, showing me where to oil. She is comprised all of metal (a tealish color) and has the most amazing array of feet. She has all different sizes of hemming feet, a ruffler foot, and bias binding feet. Ironically, she has no measurements or markings for seam allowance on her. I’ve never seen a machine without that. If you want to see the original post on her, to get a better guess, it’s here.

I can’t wait to see what you all come up with!

Comment away!

Comments

  4. betty grable! what else would you name her but the most famous pinup girl from the 1950’s? 🙂

    cayce at highcountrymommies dot com

    Reply

  5. The most popular name of the 20’s & 30’s was Mary.. I picture the lovely young lady who would have owned this lovely machine at a young age in the 50’s. Or Fickle Frances (#10 from the 20’s & my granny’s name) – you must be fickle with that type of oiling setup!

    snowglow81@yahoo.com

    Reply

  6. I have been reading your site for a several months and I love it. You are such a funny writer. Thanks for making my days brighter.

    I named my machine Joy because it bring me joy. (At least most of the time. Sorry about your thrown needle. Scary!)

    I think LUCY is a good name. After the 50’s icon Lucille Ball. I bet this machine brings you joy, laughter and sometimes leaves you seeing red!

    Vintage machine = vintage name.

    Reply

  8. The apron is beautiful!! You did a wonderful job, I wish I could do stuff like that!!
    Well, I am so bad at coming up with names for things that I had to goggle some….I know, that might be cheating, but I thought I’d try! The best ones I could find, in my 2 seconds of searching were: “Special K” (my favorite!!), and “shatz” (which is the german word for treasure). One last one, which actually comes from me, “Little Suzi”. I love the comments above too, you could combine them into “Ol’ Stella”.
    That’s all the creative moments I have for ya! What a fun giveaway, and way to go and all those diapers too! I don’t know how you find time to do all of this?? I need an apron so bad! Mine was given to me from my hubby, he found it in the throw away pile at school. It was donated by some company,and has paint all over it. But it works, and I just never have never taken the time to get a new one (plus I always forget!!). Thanks for the fun this morning! ~Andrea K

    Reply

  9. Oh wow, such cute name suggestions already! I love Betty Grable and also Katie Kenmore.

    My suggestion, to go with Sassy (because I like sibling names to sort or “go together” is Kensie. Kensie Kenmore. Kensie and Sassy works for me.

    But I have to admit, I would go with Betty Grable.

    However, I want to win the apron because I wear aprons ALL. THE. TIME. 🙂 The apron is really cute.

    Reply

  16. Can I just say that I love love love those aprons? Also that you have presented quite a challenge with naming your new machine. Being new to your blog that is a tricky one to suggest, but I might go with Betty Grable as someone else already suggested. Or Judy Garland. Or simply Sally because she looks kind of Tim Burton-y (with the sharp, coldness) so she kinda reminds me of the Sally in Nightmare Before Christmas. (A hardworking seamstress in fact)
    ~ Katy P

    Reply

  18. Hi! Such a cute apron!

    Here is my suggestion. It follows your “s” theme, and the name means “rock” — this girl looks sturdy as a rock! How ’bout Selah?

    Reply

  20. My name suggestion is…Peggy Sue! The name makes me think of the 50’s, kinda starts with an S, and is just a nice, girlie name for a nice machine.

    Reply

  21. Old Timer, Silver Streak, Ol’ Silver, Blue Betty, Kendra Kenmore, Sew-Sassy Kenny, 50-nifty, Morah-Kenmore, Sewmore-Kenmore, Suzy More.

    I really, really, really love the apron!!!!!!!! My mind is going blank. My daughter even helped with some of the names. I really love your reversible apron. I make them as gifts and I would love one for me!!!

    Reply

  24. I would name her Shirley Sewmore since she is a Kenmore. 😉 and with all she has to offer, you will “surely” sew more! 😉

    Leighann F. mrslmfuller at yahoo dot com

    Reply

  25. I’m going to go with Susan, 5th most popular girl’s name in 1950. She’s a no-nonsense kind of gal. And I hope your serger gets a Spanish/Italian name that means “servant”.

    Awesome apron, btw.

    Reply

  26. Kitty- for numerous reasons. One- I know of many women in that era with that nickname for Kathy. Two, because I love the show Brothers and Sisters, and since you are getting ‘Brother’, how about one of the sisters names from the show? And three- because how cute is Kitty Kenmore?

    Anyway, ~LOVE~ the apron! Our family is obsessed with anything peppermint at this time of year from chocolate, to the peppermint Hershey kisses, to ice cream, you name it- we eat it! My 3 girls would love that apron!! Too funny!

    Reply

  27. I love the apron! You did such a great job with the bias tape…any secrets you care to share on that one? Okay, for the new old machine I was thinking a nice old name with charm like Savannah or Sophia…maybe Sophie instead.

    Reply

  30. Love the apron!

    My name suggestion for you machine is
    1. Shara (it’s my name and an unusual one)
    2. Scarlet (because of the red thread)

    Good luck on the name hunt!

    Reply

  31. Gretchen,
    I would like to suggest the name Stian for your new sewing machine. It is Norwegian in origin, meaning “quick on his feet.” It is a masculine name, but with a small change you could use “Stina” as a feminine form. So, my three suggestions are:
    1) Stian
    2) Stina
    3) D-Mutt

    Looks like you’ll have a tough choice choosing a name. Good luck!

    Dawn
    dm_mutterer at yahoo dot com

    Reply

  34. I love some of the suggestions above, but how about Sadie (as in Hawkins). She can ask Brother to the dance. 🙂

    Reply

  37. Oh man…I would LOVE that apron!

    Lady Katherine of Kenmore

    Sea Misty Ree (’cause your seam allowance is a mystery. Misty for short)

    Seamlea Peacock

    Reply

  39. the first thing that comes to my mind is “Kitty” because my great grandmother’s last name was Kessinger and that was always her nickname…

    Reply

  41. Ahh. You are funny. I enjoyed reading this post. The apron is adorable!

    I love some of the other suggested names: Betty Grable (I was going to suggest Betty, but this is better, anyway), Sew-fie, etc.

    My suggestions:
    -Kenny (I know it’s traditionally a boy’s name, but I like it, and it goes with Kenmore)
    -Sage (one of my favorite girls names, but it sounds awful with my last name so I don’t know if I can use it). Sage means “wise”, right? She looks like a wise girl.
    -Suzanne (in keeping with the S theme. I love this name, too).

    Brittany H.
    http://www.phesine.blogspot.com

    Reply

  43. I have this pattern but haven’t made the apron yet! How bout Sizzlin Tiffy for another rhyming thing? No? well I tried 🙂 mgraciej @ gmail

    Reply

  44. I like Blue Lady for her. She’s got quite a few angles in her profile, though, and from the oiling diagram it looks as if she might be a bit high-maintenance… so perhaps a classy sort of name… Lila?

    Reply

  46. She is absolutely lovely. I would name her Emmaline, or Janet (which was #20 on the most popular girls names of the 1950s list I found. The apron is great too!

    Reply

  49. Sariah- Oldy but goody
    Sandra- #8 in 1950
    Shirley- my fave – a name with character and #19 in 1950

    Love love love the apron!

    Reply

  54. It seems like it needs to be something industrious but feminine.

    Samantha Scout – You can call her plain Scout for short, but remembering the Samantha adds femininity.

    Norah Jane – with the option to call her N.J.

    Rebecca – It’s just a good solid name with 3 syllables.

    Fun giveaway. I can’t wait to see who wins.

    Reply

  56. Well, the name that popped into my head was Connie- short for Constance, of course. I also like Marjorie. And Stella.

    I am laughing about all the Lucille Ball suggestions, because I have three machines, all of whom are named after characters on that show. My oldest, most faithful machine is Ethel Mertz. (Since we’re such good friends, I don’t say her last name too often.) The next addition was Little Ricky (who, and this is ironic, is a boy name because he is a Brother- great minds must, in fact, think alike!) My newest addition, a Juki who joined the tribe just two days ago, is named Betty Ramsey, (after Lucy’s neighbor after they moved to Connecticut- did I mention I spent many, many hours watching I Love Lucy as a child?) I don’t have a machine actually named Lucy, but guess what my youngest daughter’s name is? Lol!

    (You did want me to write a book, right?)

    Thanks for the fun giveaway!

    ruthiesmom16(at)yahoo(dot)com

    Reply

  57. I immediately thought that is a Stella. However she could be a Betty Sue, or a Gretchen. Thank you for the opportunity to win. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas. -dez

    simply.simon.sisters[at]gmail[dot]com

    Reply

  58. Eva, Deborah (Debbie), Cora. I had other suggestions but reading through the comments they were already taken. Now i need to think of a name for my new machine. a boy name, apparently.

    Reply

  60. love the apron! i think you should caller your new machine Minerva. just because it rolls off the tounge when your frustrated and need to “scold” your machine. “Oh Minerva!”

    Reply

  62. The first name that came to mind when I looked at her was Sylvia
    Not sure why. But the end is common with Olivia which would be a good name since it sort of sounds like a fancy to say oil. And last but not least Adele. It’s vintage and so is that name.
    So my suggestions are
    Sylvia
    Olivia
    Adele (Adelle, which ever spelling you like)

    snugglebugg(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

    Reply

  64. Such a cute apron!!

    I’m sad to say that my suggestion immediately was Constance…Connie Kenmore…but its been taken. I hardly want to suggest anything else because that’s such a great name!! 🙂

    In an effort to secure my name in the running for the apron though, I also thought of these two names:

    2. Doreen the Machine!!
    3. Joy because she’s brought you so much joy!!

    Thanks for a fun give-a-way!

    Reply

  66. nere (pronounced nair-eh) it is italiano for black.. i always name things something obvious.

    i hope that you like mine because my sis would love that apron for christmas.

    Reply

  68. What a wonderful apron, I think I like both sides 🙂
    I vote for Cecilia, Amelia or Prudence. But my favorite is Cecilia, she looks like a lady.
    Great Givaway, have fun naming.

    Reply

  69. I don’t know why, but the name Sandrine (which Rachel proposed for the baby on Friends), came to mind right away. Something about the color or maybe just the lines of your new baby seems to fit it 🙂

    Reply

  70. Beautiful apron! How about…
    Sleek Kenny
    Slender Kendra
    Slippy Kippy

    ‘S’ to carry on your naming tradion and ‘K’ for Kenmore…

    Thanks for the giveaway. alusco(at)centurytel(dot)net

    Reply

  71. Circa 1950…here are my ideas:

    Susan (in keeping with the “S” trend); Karen (i.e., Karen the Kenmore); and Marjorie (because to me Marjorie is the quintessential 1950 name).

    Beautiful apron! I’m so glad to have found your blog.

    Reply

  72. What a gorgeous, gorgeous apron! I have to agree with your husband; I really like the peppermint side. Maybe that’s because I have a sweet tooth. But now, I can’t get the idea of a sweet tooth out of my mind, which really won’t due when you’re trying to think up machine names. And it doesn’t help at all that I think, “Ha! She (the machine) has teeth, too!” So that’s my somewhat quirky suggestion for a new name: Sweet Teeth 🙂

    Reply

  77. i deleted my comment because i thought i was naming the Brother…then I realized the Brother and the Serger were the same machine!

    So!

    For the girly cutie I’d say:
    Savannah
    Masie
    or
    Milly

    Thanks again! and my email is in my profile…

    Reply

  78. Selena, Suzanna, Samantha

    Thank you for this wonderful giveaway. I am a 9 years old and home educated. I love to sew and craft. I have my own sewing blog. Right now I am making frog pincushions, sock dolls, bean bags and Christmas tree skirts. I am also doing a giveaway on my blog. My blog is http://www.sewingsister.blogspot.com . I hope you will stop by and look through my blog and tell me if you like it and enter my giveaway. My mom is doing giveaways on her blog as well. She has two blogs, one for sewing and one for art: http://www.sewingwithtrudy.blogspot.com and http://www.artisticcreationswithtrudy.blogspot.com

    God bless.

    Emily

    sk8ter dot emily at gmail dot com

    Reply

  80. She looks like a Betty to me.
    But you could also go with… Sorry, I got nothing (no, I am not suggesting that for the name). She needs to be Betty, that’s all there is to it.

    Reply

  84. Miss Priss. Yes, my mom used to call me that to make me mad, but I could imagine that as a sewing machine’s name!
    Shanda K.
    thirtyacrewoods(at)gmail(dot)com)

    Reply

  86. She’s a beauty!

    Our proposals:

    1. Suki Pintuck

    2. Satine Serafina

    3. Sasha Straight Stitch

    (maybe she needs a middle name so if you get ticked at her you can call her by her full name!)

    We have had a spool full of fun creating these names for the opportunity to possibly be the *lucky* recipients of your gorgeous apron!

    Thank you.

    Reply

  95. Oh WOW! I sew on old Kenmores and that machine is DREAMY! If I saw that at a garage sale I might just pass out on the spot. Sadie, Dolly and Marguerite are my name suggestions!

    Reply

  96. How about…
    1. Svelte Kollete
    2. Miss Riggy

    Such a cute idea… but holy smokes that apron is so cute! Thanks!! Merry Christmas to you and yours!!

    Reply

  97. Workhorse Wanda. Boy, she looks like a wonder, a real industrial genius.

    Or Sweet Virginia. (Virgie or Verge for short).

    Now I’m going to need to make me one of those aprons. Sheesh girl, I’ve already got enough “to-do” projects!

    Ha, ha…just looked at the other names and “Oilivia” made me laugh!

    Reply

  100. My aunt’s name is Ruby Colene. She was actually born in the late 40s, but it’s close enough to your sewing machine’s birth year. (Fabulous machine, btw!). Ruby would be a very elegant lady.

    Reply

  101. It should be a K name and something older, so I am offering Kara Kenmore. The bonus is that Kara means friend…and I’m sure she’ll be a good friend to you, as most old girls, I mean sewing machines, are! 😉 I hope you like it because I have always wanted an Emmaline apron! In case you don’t, there’s always Kathleen (50’s name) or Kaydence, which means rhythm…the rhythm of sewing! Thanks for the opportunity!

    Reply

  103. lol Love your blog. First thought when I saw the machine:
    Gertrude
    As I read the posts and reread about the new machine here are 2 more choices for you:
    Svelte Sue
    Swanky Sadie
    Thanks for the chance at the give-away. Merry Christmas and Have a Blessed Day!

    Reply

  107. I’m not reading the other comments yet b/c I don’t want to get discouraged. lol Instead, my initial thoughts.

    I am Becky C. and my thoughts are:

    Mrs. Sherman Tank (sort of an S)
    Faithful Old Rosie
    Mama Steel

    Now, you will have to bear in mind this comes from the gal who named her quilting frame “Sumo Wrestler” and her Voyager, “Ms. Midge” and determined they have, at some point, decided to gang up on me! 😀

    http://sarcasticquilter.blogspot.com/2009/04/why-dont-i-listen.html

    Reply

  109. My first thought was Steel Magnolia- Steel for the stark and magnolia for the beauty of her.

    If it is a him you are thinking and why not- Dan (as in Steely Dan) I know I am stuck on this.

    or Ken, Kenny for kenmore

    the apron is lovely!

    Reply

  113. KennySue – My husband had a little girl named Kenny in his class, and I always thought it was cute for a girl, but you have to stick with the theme you’ve got running…so KennySue would be super cute!

    Other options:
    Kendahl
    Gwendoline.

    Reply

  114. If you are sticking with “S” names I think Stella would be a good one. Or maybe you could go with Sophia because it sounds like a grown up well respectable name.

    The apron is lovely as well. I love polka dots.

    Reply

  119. OK I’m stickin with the S theme – I like it it. “Smidgen” – I know it’s diffenent but I love it – it’s unique like the machine, a more simple s name might be solea, because she seems to be a one of a kind. Love, Love , Love the apron. Thanks so much for the chance, I’m going to have to name my mahcine!

    Reply

  122. Three names I thought of were Grandma Gertie, Olivia, or the Sapphire Singer :0) Apron is really pretty! From Wendi

    Reply

  128. Boy, you’re making us work for this one!! But hey, that’s a smashing apron!

    Here goes:
    1. Kerosene Kathy (I can’t believe how much oil that old girl needs!)
    2. Perdy Gerdy

    Thanks for the laughs!

    Reply

  130. Imogene, Esther, and Rosie (as in Rosie the Riveter off the posters back in the feminist era with the arm flexed and the red bandana(or thread!) ) This is immediately what I thought of when I saw this machine… not the name, but the woman in the poster, so I did a search, and found out it was Rosie! But I like the other ones too!
    Oh, and great apron! thanks for participating in the giveaways!

    Reply

  132. Howdy – the first thing that came to mind when I saw her strong, industrial lines was, “Rosie the Riveter.” An appropriate moniker, to be sure, as she’ll work hard for you. 🙂 Thanks for participating!

    Reply

  134. That’s an Edna. Edna Kenmore. Sounds old-fashioned yet sturdy. I could also offer up Elsie or Tacey–both older names that I’ve always adored. Thanks!

    Reply

  136. What a lovely machine. I’m kind of off the wall sometimes- it’s a Kenmore machine- so that means Sears- right? I think she should be called Searsa-(Sears + a), Searsue,Searsally…. weird I know. A good laugh anyway! Love the apron- and have a great Holiday!

    Reply

  137. I love the apron, and I love your contest, too! “Rosie” popped into my head – no reason – it just sounds like a good name for a mint machine!

    Reply

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