Thursday, September 07, 2006

Learning to Sew

I'm not sure why I learnt to sew. My Nan did a lot of sewing, but it's never been one of Mum's favourite things to do. I think when I was about 13 or 14 I realised I could get a lot more clothes out of my clothes allowance if I learnt to sew.
We had no other sewing machine than this, which was my Grandmother's and once I decide I want to learn something I have to do it immediately. So I made it work and this is what I started sewing on. Mum uses it as a side table at the moment, but one day all it will need is a clean and I think it will go again.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

How fantastic. We went to a pub recently where all the tables were these singer sewing machines complete with footplates. That's beautiful engineering.

nuttnbunny said...

What a gorgeous machine! Mine is a little newer but I think they are related :-)

Anonymous said...

Wow - it uses a treadle? My mom had one like that when I was young - the table is the same, but the machine was newer. She was able to add a motor at some point, but we would always play at her feet, pumping the treadle. Fun memories.

Rachael Elswyk said...

Hey, *snap* ! I learnt to sew on an old treadle machine too. My mum has it now, and it still works.

Anonymous said...

OMG! I have exactly the same story. Nan who sewed, Mum who didn't, taught myself to use the treadle. God knows how, I remember the bobbin threading was quite complex. I still have it.

Lauri said...

I think grandmother had this same one! Sure wish I knew what happened to it after she died!

Anonymous said...

What a lovely relic. I have seen these done up as tables but I love them when they still have the machine with them, and in working order is even better. You lucky girl. I too have my mums sewing cabinet after she passed away. I love it.