When I was a baby, she inherited her grandmother's treadle machine. It wasn't in working condition, and she used it mostly as plant stand. But a few months ago, she shelled out some cash and bought a Singer Featherweight. I'm not sure how the idea came about, but I know she wanted a machine that was portable for sewing classes. Of course, being my mother... it's now become a hobby.... and I think at last count she was at eight or nine vintage machines (and we're talking about restoring her grandmother's)
In her defense... they've all either been absolute steals (Kijiji is amazing) or given to her when people find out she's a "collector".
One of those was from Dave. When I told him about Mom's new hobby, he said "Oh, there's one of those in grandma's garage..."
Next thing I knew, it was in Dave's trunk, and we were on our way up to Mom's to deliver it. It was in pretty rough shape. The machine was working, but it was filthy hadn't been used in at least 40 years or more. The table had chunks out of the veneer, and at some point, someone had decided to use it as a hobby table and it was covered in green spray paint.
So Mom pulled the machine from the table. And while she worked on cleaning and tuning it (it's pretty amazing, you can still get most of the parts for them and Mom's become quite adept at fixing them), Dave set to work on refinishing the table. When it was all back together, Mom decided that since it was Dave's great grandma's, it should really come home and live with us.
It only does straight stitch, but it does have reverse. Mom loves sewing on all of hers (as I said, she's got a couple different models) but what I really like is the table...
It also freed up my old sewing desk. It's now been repurposed for dedicated office space - much needed since I'm working from home at least three days a week now.
The studio is still on the cluttered side... I have some new shelving to put up, and quite a bit of craft supplies to sort through. But it's nice to have dedicated spaces for all facets of my work - creative and otherwise.
11 comments:
Can you imagine life before sewing machines? All those stitches done by hand...eeks! I learned to sew on mom's Pfaff monster, which sewed clothes for six kids, and is still working today! The really old machines have charm.
My mother had a machine just like that one and I learned to sew on it. It was a great machine. I wish I could remember what happened to it. When The Mister was cleaning out his mom's house last month he told me he found one just like it in the attic. He sat it out on the curb for the trash and someone came by and asked him for it. He didn't tell me first or it would be here now. I was furious.
What a treasure! Dave did an awesome job on the table and I love the fact that the machine came over from Scotland with his family. So cool. It should be fun to use. (Oh yeah, I see the photo-bomber - lol).
Wow, your "new" machine looks wonderful! The old Singers are great, last forever.
Take care.
Nostalgia! My mom had an old Singer from that era. She gave it to a niece, so I'm sure it is long gone by now.
Wow You really brought that thing back to life. It is beautiful> Happy your mom wanted you to have it with yoU!
Have fun
I wish I still had my dedicated space. But moving from a 4 bedroom home with bonus room, to a 3 bedroom loses a lot of space. My new space shares a TV cabinet, Computer desk, and huge recliner. Not the most usable space to put a sewing table in.
That is the same machine my mom had when she gave up my grandma's treadle machine. I don't think mom ever used it much. She wasn't much in the homemaking skills.
I was thinking about my machine the other day and realized it is 40 years old and still going strong. You can't beat an old machine.
I love the old Singer machines. They're so neat looking and you really did a nice job on the table. It's really nice to be able to preserve a family piece like that.
What a treasure to have the sewing machine and table working again! Nice job on the mechanical and the refinishing! I'm so glad you have the space in your office to work more easily-I love to organize my 'stuff' !
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