My Grandmother was one of those people who could sew anything. Little did I know how much I would follow in her footsteps. We never spent much time sewing together. Bargain hunting was Gram's other passion and that was an endeavor that I got a lot of experience from Gram.
I remember stories of Gram making her clothes, all by hand, before she got this sewing machine. How I wish I hadn't been too young to realize what a talent she had and that I had her show me these endeavors.
During one time of my life we were moving from out of state and Gram opened her doors for the transition. I remember fondly, the two of us sitting on her living room floor giving this machine a through going over. She insisted it must be time for a new machine and me telling her that this machine could never be replaced. Grams eyesight was not what it had been at this point of time.
We spread an old vinyl table cloth on the carpet and tore the machine down. She had given up the cabinet many moves ago. She admitted she had never taken off the bottom cover since my Grandfather passed. Sure enough, the machine was thirsty for oil and cleaning. There was a thread stuck in the bobbin case... a tiny piece that Gram couldn't even see until I took it out. We brushed and oiled and cleaned the machine. Once we put it back together, it was time for a test run.
I knew then that Gram had not set the machine up in a very long time. A search for an extension cord ensued. Even if Gram hadn't sewn in a number of years, she had fabric around to play with. Once we got everything situated we sat down to give it a run. A few tension adjustments and this machine was running as good as new. What fun Gram and I had making a skirt and blouse, from a pattern for her. How fascinated she was with the various techniques I used.
| Nothing of Grams could have made me happier, then when my family decided I could have her sewing machine and notions. I never did find the manual and even though, I have yet to use this machine, I could never put it away in storage. Fond memories are too hard to pack away! |
