Some time ago a local sewing teacher dropped by our shop and gave us this sewing machine. She told us that although it still works, it is too delicate for her to use in her classes. We decided to display this old beauty in our studio. It's all metal, weighs a ton, and has such a mysterious quality too.
The teacher told us that the machine was formerly owned by a woman who used it to make all of her family's clothes starting in the 1940s. Once upon a time sewing was a common, practical domestic art. It used to be less expensive to sew your own clothes than to buy them. (Before most garments were made overseas using cheap labor as they are today.)
Customers who come into our shop often tell us that the hum of our machines reminds them of their grandmother sewing. Some enjoy poking around in our button collection because they remember their great aunt's button drawer.
When I look at this machine, I think about all of the seams that it must have sewn, all of the clothes that it must have made. I feel happy to give this old Singer a home in our shop window.
1 comment:
What a sweet post! I learned how to sew on my mother's machine when I was 5. She made many of our clothes in the 60's & 70's. She upgraded years ago, but I am inheriting a new old one just like it from a dear friend. Nice to know that sewing is not completely a lost art! All the BEST, :-) Hali
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