If sewing machine could speak, what would they say? Mine might know a few naughty words…or be defensive. “I’m tired of being blamed for something that was not my responsibility–It is never the machines fault the bobbin was empty and no seam was sewn! PAY ATENTION” . But I would also like to think my machine(s) would be proud of some “our” work or delighted it had a part in making a gifts that was loved by the receiptant.
I have had my Grandma Ella’s treadle sewing machine for years, hidden away in the garage under some ratty blankets for protection. I was not sure what to do with it.
But we have a wonderful handyman who is a retired woodworking teacher, so we ask him if he could bring the cabinet back to its former glory. He replaced the one small area the veneer was damaged, glued back some trim, and made it shine. He convinced me the metal should not be painted over. The Sewing Center cleaned and repaired the actual machine, and now it set proudly at the end of the kitchen island.
What tales could her machine tell me? Perhaps how Grandma Ella had to save and save to purchase it? Or would it tell me about the dresses she made for her daughters when fabric was rationed? Or how she used sewing to get though the days and weeks when she had not heard from her son after D-Day? Or would the machine tell of the pillow covers, curtains, table clothes, that she made to decorate her home?
I met my current machine as a result of teaching Family and Consumer Science for 32 years. The school district already had Bernina machines in the clothing lab–so I learned to teach sewing on a Bernina and it has been a love affair ever since. If all those machines from the sewing lab could talk, I am sure there would be hours and hours of stories –some about the abuse they endured and some very humorous stories!
This is my workhorse. I purchased it 13 or 14 years ago and it still is a great machine. That doesn’t mean I don’t occasionally go “window shopping” for the latest and greatest. I really would like a longer throat — I do much of my own machine quilting and more space would allow me to do bigger projects. But we have been through a lot!
I “might” have a few more machines–a small Janome I keep at the Church in our quilting room so I don’t have to take a machine every Wednesday. I am feeling guilty about the extra machines setting unused and have promised myself to find them good homes. Which if they could talk, I am sure they would ask be used rather than gathering dust on a shelf!
Every sewer has their favorite–and it depends a great deal how one is using their machine. Art quilts with lots of layers would require different strengths than sewing formal wear. I don’t embroidery or appliqué with my machine so I don’t need the added bells and whistles. After years in the classroom and talking with parents and students, I recommend buying a Plain Jane refurbished higher end machine when I am ask which sewing machine to buy for a beginner,. Most sewing machine dealers take trade-ins and sell used machines. I would shy away from the cheaper machines from big box stores. And a beginning sewer doesn’t need all the extras — the more gadgets there are, the more gadgets there are to confuse. Ask your favorite seamstress her recommendations.
All of our machines have been working very long hours getting ready for the Quilt etc. Sale.
Our machines have pieced quilt tops, quilted table runners and placemats, appliquéd wall hangings, sewn banners, topstitched trims–all for the Quilt etc. Sale! If our machines could talk, they would urge you to come see all the wonderful items for sale.
We are located at First United Methodist Church, 330 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS. The sale is in Wilke Life Center, located on the north of the block. Parking is off Topeka Street and 3rd St. There are no stairs to climb. We will be open from 10 am to 5 pm on the 21st and 10 am to 3 pm on the 22nd. Checks, cash and credit cards are welcome.
First Stop Coffee Shop will be open with homemade goodies, coffee and tea. The coffee shop is off the same lobby as the Quilt etc. Sale.
Take a break and come see for yourself what a sewing machine can do!
Quilts, Etc. 