Thursday, June 11, 2009

My First Sewing Machine

Everyday Mom would fill a quart jar with fresh milk and put it in an old rusty baby stroller and John and I would push it over to the Coffers. Sue would invite us inside their cabin to rest a while and always had something interesting for us to see. Mr. Coffer used to spend his evenings whittling tiny toys for us from various things. He made the cutest tiny baskets from peach stones, tiny little yokes for John's toy cows and many other things. Some days we would watch as they set their printing press for another page of the book "Horse Hair in my Soup" they were printing that chronicled their journey across America.

After we had rested a bit we would start back home, during the spring and summer we would gather flowers along the road to present to Mom once we got home, she always loved the wild roses saying that they make the entire house smell sweet and fresh, there were larkspurs and bluebonnets, and if nothing else there was always the option of a dandelion bouquet.

One day when we got there, Sue showed me a treadle sewing machine they had found somewhere and asked me if I would like to have it for my own. She wrote a note to Mom about it, handed it to me, and we headed for home. There was no dawdling along the way this time as we ran until we were out of breath and then walked the rest of the way.

When we arrived home Mom read the note and told me that John and Sue wanted to give me the sewing machine as a thank-you for supplying them with milk everyday. And once Daddy has time we can go pick it up.

I could hardly wait until Daddy came home to tell him the news. He listened as I excitedly told him all about it and sensing my eagerness offered to hitch Jim to the spring wagon and go fetch it right away.

The following days were spent learning how to sew. Mom let me go through her fabric scraps and cut pieces to make nine patches. Once I had made enough nine patches she sewed them all together for a quilt top for me. Which is now being used on Sailor's bed.


I still use the sewing machine too. What started out as the most exciting thing ever for a little six year old girl, is still my first choice to use whenever I want to sew anything. I suppose it always will.



21 comments:

  1. The colors of the quilt are very bright and cheerful. I love that you can sew with such a beautiful machine and find joy in it. Most women are in want of the latest sewing machines. I still treasure my first sewing machine, given to me by my husband back before my 1st child was born. I taught my self to sew. Making a baby size quilt that my 1st child(a son) still has to this day.

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  2. That is such a sweet story...I'm sure you revisit those nice memories each time you sew!

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  3. Hi MaryAnn! I just wanted to stop by to thank you for taking the time to leave a comment on my blog. I really appreciate that a lot. I've spent a little bit of time reading through your blog today and have to tell you just how much I have enjoyed it. Love the stories. I'll be back again! Wishing you a wonderful day and a happy summer!
    Amanda (aka Cottage Contessa)
    Jacaranda Cottage in Australia.

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  4. I loved this story and it brought tears to my eyes! My dad used to whittle tiny monkeys out of peach stones while working long hours on the railtroad as an engineer. He has been gone 23 years now and I would love to have one of those darling monkeys! Thanks for the memory...:-)
    The quilt is beautiful and to think you were only 6 years of age, is amazing! Sailor is a lucky little girl to have you as her mom, to teach her all you grew up learning!

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  5. What a great story - thanks for sharing. I have my Great Aunt's machine that is almost identical to that one.
    Thanks for visiting and the suggestion.
    Glenda

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  6. What a DEAR story and an unbelievably beautiful quilt. I can't believe you use it everyday but then again, what are things FOR if not to put to good use. Loved this. :)

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  7. Oh my gosh, I'm so glad I found you! What a lovely story from your childhood! My first sewing machine is exactly like yours! What fun! I still use mine occasionally...I just love the clunk clunk clunk of it! It makes me smile and recall my younger days. Your quilts are absolutely one of a kind GORGEOUS! You are blessed indeed! I also thank you for introducing me to Mennonite Girls Can Cook! That is such a nice blog with excellent recipes. I must say what good fortune it is to be here. Is that white doggy a Great Pyrenese? My friend has one named Emma. It looks just like her. Beautiful!!! Bless you~Sharon

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  8. Now that is a quilt!

    My sister-in-law always used a treadle and now that I have delt with complicated electric ones over the years I wish I would have taken the time to find one like hers.

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  9. What a sweet and lovely story! That sewing machine, in my book, looks priceless. What fine condition it looks to be in! I have a nine-patch I made and quilted. I've quilted many quilts, many made entirely by hand. I remember, growing up with my great-grandmother, her using a machine like this. The ones you buy today will never stack up against these.
    Brenda

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  10. What a beautiful quilt, story about it and sewing machine. I learned on my great-grandmother's treadle machine. I have my other great-grandmother's treadle. My mom took the one I learned to sew on a part got rid of all but the wrought iron part and put a slab of marble on it for a table. BROKE MY HEART!! My dad had fixed it up and got it working for me and it sewed like a charm!!! I'd like to get the other one fixed up one day if I can find someone who works on them.

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  11. What a lovely quilt you made!!! I have seen one of those machines just like yours at my out-laws house. I don't know if that one works or not. She has a fish tank sitting on top of it. I'm sure I would be the last person she would let touch it even if she was speaking to us! lol It sure is a beautiful sewing machine you have. My grand mother has talked of using a machine like that that her mother had.

    You sure do have such sweet memories from your childhood.

    God Bless!
    Angela

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  12. love the quilt, love the memories!

    http://randommusingsfrommypov.com

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  13. Sweet story. Sweet quilt! I am teaching myself to sew...have made a few aprons and a blouse. It's good to be learning new things!

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  14. Thank you for visiting today. I have enjoyed reading your blog. What a awesome sewing machine. Beautiful quilt, look forward to reading and seeing more.
    Tara

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  15. What a wonderful story! I'm sure you will treasure your sewing machine forever and they sure don't make them like that anymore. I am so glad I happened upon your blog, it is very interesting and I will be anxiously following.

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  16. What a beautiful quilt and made on a awesome machine! You are blessed to havae them both still in great condition!

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  17. I'm reading this more than a year after you first posted it - love the sewing machine - similar to the one my mother got when we were very young, and she has passed it on to me. I'm sorry to say that I don't use it anymore - maybe I should try. You can see a picture of my machine here: http://piecefulpeg.blogspot.com/2009/10/antiques.html

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  18. I have been reading through your story and I am thoroughly enjoying it! I think it is awesome that you were able to learn to quilt as a child an it is so neat that you still have the quilt and the sewing machine! It is very pretty!
    Enjoying your story,
    Lisa :o)

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  19. :O First off, I dont even remember how I found your blog but I havent stopped reading it since I found it yesterday. I am going in order and just stumbled upon this post. Imagine my surprise when I see your sewing machine! I've never, in all my years seen another Singer like the one my mom has (now my sister has it). Ours does not work but we have some silly fond memories of playing with it as children. The drawers and push pedal alone were entertainment enough. :D As silly as it sounds I am glad to know there are other Singers around just like ours!

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  20. I recently found your blog from another website, and I have been reading non-stop since then! I love reading about your childhood and your motherhood too! I have to say though, I was SHOCKED when I saw your sewing machine! I have the same one at my Mom's house, and it was so neat to see something that reminds me so much of home. We also have a more modern sewing machine, but I would love to learn how to use this one. I had yet to see another one that was identical to mine up until now!

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