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Albion Gould

Albion Gould

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Sewing Machine Stories

April 30, 2015 by Albion

**This post has been written in association with Tesco. All opinions are my own.**

I’ve always thought of sewing machines as the one thing that all grandmothers have in their house. I imagine the stories behind what they’ve made and the people who have used them. It’s the one machine that I think of as necessary for anyone’s craft room, whether it’s a modern machine or a vintage piece. A sewing machine helps create a baby’s first quilt, a child’s first day of school outfit, a Christmas pillowcase, and a wedding dress. People often talk about their machines as a friend, and I really do think it’s because of the memories they help make.

Pretty red-haired female using a sewing machine in the living ro

When I see a vintage sewing machine, I love to imagine what it created. Did it sew curtains and bedding? A family’s clothing? Maybe it patched pants or was used as an in-home business. Was it left out because it was used so often, or did it get stored because it was only used for special occasions? I always look at them and wonder just how on earth someone was able to use them, too. Our modern machines are billed as easy to use and have everything laid out for us on computer screens with a bunch of different stitches built in, but vintage machines, while gorgeous to look at, seem so difficult to use. I wouldn’t object to having one to admire, though!

Antique sewing machine

We’re incredibly lucky to live in a time when sewing machines are so easy to come by. There are machines for every skill level. We even have machines specifically made for kids!

Girl sewing

Scott and I were recently sharing memories and comparing our very different childhood experiences, as we often do. Even though we grew up on opposite sides of the world, we share common memories of sewing machines. We’ve both worn clothes that were sewn by family members. We both had sewing machines in our houses and our grandparents’ houses. Whatever else was different, sewing machines were the same.

Sewing machine and the necessary accessories for sewing.

I asked for a sewing machine for our first Christmas as a married couple. I had had a basic one when I was younger, but I was ready for my “adult” sewing machine that was going to create my family’s memories. When Scott was searching for the best machine for my skill level and what I wanted to do, he turned to the older generations in his family to ask advice. Having a sewing machine brings generations together. Everyone has their preferences and stories to tell. We heard stories of past machines and what they could and couldn’t do. Scott’s aunt gave him a list of stitches to make sure the machine he chose had.

sewing machine love

We’ve now been to weddings all over the world, and a sewing machine has been on the gift registry for every single one. It is the perfect builder of memories and stories, whether you’re a beginner or have been sewing all your life. What kind of sewing machine memories do you have in your family?

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Category: UncategorizedTag: memories, sewing machines, stories, Tesco

About Albion

I’ve wanted to be an archaeologist, in theatre, a judge and to run a museum. I’m now in my mid-30s and have no idea what I want to be when I grow up.

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Comments

  1. mary beth

    May 1, 2015 at 6:56 am

    You know I’m no crafter, Albion, and I envy sewists like yourself. Once I was reading to my very young daughter and the character “hid behind the sewing machine”. I went to turn the page but before I did my daughter asked “what’s a sewing machine?”. I almost fell over because every household I grew up in had a sewing machine but I did not carry on that talent into this house. Your family is lucky, keep on sewing!
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  2. Julie

    May 3, 2015 at 12:03 pm

    I had my first machine as my 18th birthday present. My mum was fed up with me messing about with the tensions on her machine. My family have always sewed, I remember my nan having a pedal Singer machine and somehow having it converted to electric – which she was very happy about! in fact I have a 50’s skirt to make this afternoon for a fancy dress hen night coming up soon – I’d better get on with it!
    Julie recently posted…Silent Sunday 3rd May 2015My Profile

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  3. Amy Anderson

    May 4, 2015 at 1:09 pm

    My first sewing machine was my grandmother’s! I treasure it because of that. It’s actually a few years older than me. I love your memories . . . so awesome.
    Amy Anderson recently posted…$100 Mod Podge Contributor Grab Bag Giveaway!My Profile

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  4. Nina Lewis

    May 6, 2015 at 8:25 am

    I’m one of those owners of a vintage sewing machine — not the cool ones that are really old — just a plain old Kenmore sewing machine that’s 35 years old. It’s still working great. I’ve sewn levis, swimsuits, panties, t-shirts, shorts, dresses, snow pants, coats, mittens, curtains, quilts, tablecloths, and a plethora of other things. I’m drooling over those computerized new ones… Not sure I can justify one because I don’t sew as much as I used to . . .

    Best,
    Nina
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I’ve wanted to be an archaeologist, in theatre, a judge, and to run a museum. While I try to decide what I want to be when I grow up, I spend my time crafting and exploring the world. Read More…

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