Mom's old Singer
I was beginning to think I didn’t remember “how” to sew. My Mom’s 60-year-old Singer was parked at my place. She, at 90, had deemed it “frozen again” from lack of use. But, secretly I knew it was fine. I was harboring it for a Christmas project (Xmas ’08), which I never did, and still may not get around to for ’09.
Surrounded daily by state-of-the-art sewing machines and the quilters who use them, it’s hard to believe the newest machine I have at home is 60, but I mostly gave up my sewing career when I started at C&T in the publishing business. Not having stitched ANYTHING for possibly 6 years on any sewing machine, I was pressed by the feeling of the economy to mend a tiny hole in my favorite pair of jeans— “If I do this just right no one will EVER know there used to be a hole there!
It didn’t take much time to love the feeling of sewing with Mom’s machine… the same one we used to sew doll clothes, Christmas presents, 8th grade graduation dresses, college rush outfits and numerous costumes. I loved the soothing quality it provided as it confidently, chugged along. And better yet, I was thrilled at the results, which were much more satisfying and economical than a trip to Macy’s for a new pair of jeans.
Ahhhhh… What a relief to know I still had “it” in me… The joy of sewing!
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10 Comments
I love sewing, I sew every single day
I remember my Mom patiently ripping out seams when I made mistakes when she was teaching me to sew. I always remember that when I make a mistake as I patiently fix my mistakes now. I loved that she taught me this lifelong skill and will always remember the special times learning as a child.
I love the photo that goes with this post.
my mum passed on a love of sewing to me..I had an old Singer machine like this that a friend gave me when clearing out their house..you used to have to pedal it back and forth to get it going and the machine used to fold down into the table..but when the kids came along we had no room for it..hope its in a good home now
My mom taught me to sew by making me repair the seams on the taffeta prom dress she'd made me. Yikes! I inhereted my grandmother's Singer sewing table (the kind where the top opens up and the sewing machine raises out of the table). I put my new machine on top of the table. :)
I, too, love sewing and try to spread the joy as much as possible by teaching others to sew. I LOVE my 25 year old Kenmore and haven't found any of the newer ones that I would trade it for.
My Mom had an old Singer machine. I struggled with that machine ever since high school. Then I bought a new Singer and sold the Featherweight to a friend for $10 !!! Oh how I regretted that move. I even tried to buy it back, but no go. So the “new’ machine had more glitches and problems then the old. So I did not do much sewing for several years. A friend gave me her old Kenmore when she was getting a new one. It sewed like a dream. Then one Christmas morning, my dear sweet hubby gifted me with a little black box. And inside that box was a Featherweight. What a great little machine :-) It isn’t the one my Mom had, but it still brings back memories.
I’m using a machine that my mother purchased when I was in my early teens (over 30years ago). She said it was new when she got it and she maybe used it once. I got it cleaned about 2 weeks ago and it only needed a new needle and tension adjustment–which means it was in good shape.
I’m a beginner (just started back a few months ago). An experienced sewer saw the machine and said it was a good one.
I’ve been told by other bloggers, you’d be surprised how much you remember–some of that is true. When I took a basic intro class (no sewing, just an intro to it), I was surprised of how much I remembered not having taken sewing since Home Ec when I was 12-14 years old!
Nice shot, Diane :)
Thanks for your comments, everyone, The well-used tools of everyday life evoke powerful memories and connect us to what was comfortable and familiar when we were young… What a treat to hear from you all…