ISMACS stands for the International Sewing Machine Collectors Society. I joined thisgroup too long ago to remember and have learned so much from them. They have a daily e-mail digest that is free so if you love old sewing machines, sign up on their web site!
More than ten years ago, someone from this group organized a quilt block swap. The rules were that you had to make a 6 inch fence rail block using fabrics to represent your geographic location and a vintage sewing machine had to be used to make the blocks. The center strip was used to write your name, location, and the year and model of vintage machine used.
Here is the quilt made from these blocks and a few closeups of some blocks (names removed).
So any of you ISMACS people want to do this again? Shoot me an e-mail at sew4given AT aol DOT com.and let me know! Please put ISMACS Block Swap in the title of your e-mail. Thanks!
BTW, here are pictures of the machine I used for this swap, my 1956 Singer Model 128 HandCrank Machine:
Isn’t she a beauty?I am not sure if you can see it but this one has the striated face plate. It also has the oak extension table (should have taken a pic of that). I picked this lovely machine up for 10 pounds at a boot sale in Canterbury, England :). Ah, the memories…..
Also, in case you haven’t visited before, scroll down to enter my 100th post blog give-away!
Until next time…..
KatyQuilts 
Hi Dorothy! I am sure they are NOT TO blocks as I never was part of that group or did any swaps with them. It has to be either ISMACS or FWF but that is all I know! I should have written the details on the back of the quilt! I will know better next time :).
I don’t recall this from ISMACS, but they do look like Treadleon blocks, except I don’t see the letters TOBE anywhere. Treadleon still runs these swaps regularly.
Katy-
I’m interested in a block swap – great idea! I piece with old machines (treadle and hand crank New Homes). But…I clicked on your e-mail link and got your error page.
I like the idea of signing blocks, but perhaps a slightly more challenging block would be good.
How about a spool block? It’s easy, appropriate, and has room on both sides for writing.
Also, if you have more than one vintage machine, can you make a block with each? (More winners!)
Cheers,
Liz