Friday, April 28, 2006

Me 'n my sewing machine

I just love to sew! My first project was a blue gingham apron, that I made a cross stitch border on. My mom did most of the sewing, but *I* made it--all by myself--as I told everyone who saw it! I was 5 years old. My mom had (actually, I believe she still has it) a little portable Elna machine, and that was what I learned to sew with.

My next project was a sundress. It was basically a tube with elastic around the top and straps to hold it up. I'm not sure how old I was. As I got older, my mom kept helping me make little projects here and there.

When I was 12, I think, I started "sewing lessons" at my grandma's house. My grandma is a true professional seamstress, and everything she makes is just gorgeous and so lovely looking! I aim towards perfection, but she hits the mark! Every Tuesday morning, my sisters and I went over to Grandma's house for our lesson. Oh, another one of my grandma's wonderful traits is that she is *patient*. It's a good thing, too!

Needless to say, when I was getting ready to get married, I wanted a machine that I could take with me. My mother-in-law-to-be bought me a sewing machine at a yardsale. With that, I made several things. Then, a neighbor and long-time friend of my mother-in-law's said she had a sewing machine that she would like to give me. We went to visit, and brought it back with us.

My machine is old, and quite "vintage" but I love it! I will be quite sad if it dies on me! It has so many fearful looking contraptions to attach to it, but I'm proud to say that I've learned to use most all of them! =)

5 comments:

Susan said...

Love your sewing machine! And I'm very impressed that you sew such beautiful things on it. I'd be afraid of such an old machine, that I'd never figure it out.

Anonymous said...

That is a neat looking sewing machine. I have a cheaper and newer one. But it serves its purpose. I first learned to sew in home economics in high school. I made a quilted vest (somewhat simple) and an outfit that by the time I had it finished it ended up being crooked LOL!! But I had to wear it to school as part of the project. I don't remember the grade I got but the way it turned out was enough to discourage me from wanting to sew again. Until a couple of years ago that is. One of the ladies in our church wanted to have an all night sewing night in our fellowship hall. We did and we had a good turn out. She ended up showing us how to sew and make simple drawstring skirts. It was a lot of fun!! I've been sewing skirts ever since. I haven't ventured out yet and tried anything else. Maybe one day I will.

Tammy said...

Susan, it came with a manual, and it is VERY sturdy! I've only had to get it repaired once!

Julie, I'm glad you're enjoying sewing now! I enjoy sewing way more now than when I was younger!

Roberta said...

Tammy, this is a beautiful machine! When I get a d.c. I will post a pic of the one I learned on and one I picked up last month at a rummage sale...it's blue, it's beautiful!

Tammy said...

Roberta, I'll be looking for your post!