“A time to rend, and a time to sew;”
Ecclesiastes 3:7a
My sewing machine is forty-five years old. Like me it’s getting older and has some minor maintenance issues. Amazingly, it still does its job well. I was shocked and surprised when my Mom bought this sewing machine for me. She had a “Singer” brand sewing machine and said this brand new “New Home” would be mine. It’s been with me through so many sewing rooms, craft projects, broken needles, and tangled thread that it feels like family.
With my new sewing machine and a small sewing kit my grandmother mailed me for Christmas, I was ready to start the seventh grade and my Home Economics classes. Back then, I was much smaller and it took every effort I could muster to carry that heavy machine to class and set it up. I, often, had to have help. (Although I’m bigger now, it’s still heavy. Lol.)
The machine had many attachments and knobs that were rather overwhelming. I recall the salesman selling my Mom on its many “special features.” It could embroider, make button holes, install zippers and had different feet for the various tasks. I’ve never used all of its functions, but still use it for my general sewing.
Learning to Appreciate the Machine
My sewing machine reminds me of my Mom. She never failed to inspire and challenge me to always be open to trying new things. I’m in awe that my parents made such a sacrifice, with four children and limited resources. This valuable gift not only gave me the ability to learn a useful skill, it provided a means for me to care for my household and encouraged me to develop my creativity and craft-making skills too.
Learning About the Machine
I was so anxious to push the pedal and sew for the first time. However, my teacher insisted that we learn “about” our machines before we could plug them in. She made us read the manual to get familiar with each part and function. We also had to be able to thread our machines in less than a minute before we could sew a single stitch. It was killing me, but I finally got it and can still thread it quickly today.
Learning How to Use the Machine
I thought my home economics teacher was picking on me. She was fierce and wouldn’t let me quit no matter how frustrated I got. Turns out, she just wanted me to learn to sew correctly. To do that, I had to know how to use my machine.
I dreaded hearing her give us our assignments. As she instructed the older girls on their next steps, she would tell me, “Beth… you rip out what you did last class.” I don’t know how many times she told me to rip out my work and start again. But, let’s just say, I logged more hours on my seam ripper than on my sewing machine. She honestly had me believing that the verse in the Bible about “sowing and reaping” was about “sewing and ripping.”
When I finally completed my first sewing project (with a good grade) it was sweet. In the process, I also learned that tools become wasted resources, if we don’t learn to use them. Today, I can say, I’m thankful for the tool, the training and time to use them both.
Bring It Home
Do you have a sewing machine? What type is it? What do you enjoy sewing?
Praying for you as we grow together,
Smiles, BRC
“Sewing and ripping” 😅
I really wish I had taken up sewing. That it had come a bit more naturally.
I can mend things by hand though. Even without a sewing machine, I appreciate the ability to hold on to clothing pieces I love. We have a society that would prefer to just throw things away and start over. That’s convenient. But I prefer the accomplishment and challenge of mending it or finding a new purpose for it.
Thank you for your heart and words. ❤️
Sewing is a helpful skill that can be used for many homemaking tasks and projects. It’s useful that you can hand sew too Aly. 👍
Sewing on a machine is easy to learn and basic machines are pretty reasonable.
Also, many quilt shops offer beginner classes which would be a great place to start.
Never too late to learn or teach your daughter. Might be a fun project to try together.
Feel free to contact me with questions if I can help.
🌸Smiles, BRC
Just finished reading your article, I started taking sewing lessons in Junior high, making a apron, my mother purchased me my first Singer sewing machine, I even went to the store and took classes and still have some of the cards they gave us back in the day. I continued to take Home Economic classes until my senior year in high school. The teacher often asked me to help other students in the class, and I took the outfit apart and put it back together the way it should be sewn. I made my prom dress, hemmed pants, made dresses and I enjoyed what I was doing. I’ve had several sewing machines, I think I burned them up and now I have a different brand. During my working career, I made quite a few outfits for work, made mother and daughter dresses for Mother’s Day, that my daughter couldn’t stand. Then for our Youth group at church I made so many dresses for the young ladies I cannot even count how many. Now since I’ve retired I’ve made my granddaughter skirts, hemmed pants, taken them up in the waist and just make her smile when she comes to me to fix or adjust her clothes. This was a very good article I really enjoyed reading it. Keep doing what you are doing.
Thank you for your kind reply and encouragement @Bonnie A Adams!
It was great to read about all the sewing projects you have done and how you used, and are still using, your sewing machine to help others. What a blessing to hear how you used the skill and resources you were given to be a gift. Happy sewing!
Hope you stop by my Galvanized Gardens again!
Smiles, BRC