I am a self confessed hoarder, although I am trying to be good these days and not go as mad as I used to at car-boots and junk shops. However I do seem to acquire little collections, sometimes without even realising it. This Christmas I noticed I seem to have started a collection of vintage sewing machines quite by accident. Let me explain...
My Mum sewed A LOT when my sister and I where little, she made most of our clothes, our baby blankets, cot liners, changing bags and pretty much anything else she could find a patten for or sometimes just get a good look at then go home and make it up on the fly. Both of us have very clear memories of her sitting at the dinning room table in the evenings and weekends making something. She still has the same sewing machine she had then and it is still going strong. The sound of that machine whirring up to speed is very heavily rooting in my childhood. I love that sound, its one of those things that shapes you before you even realise its happening.
Although I have always loved sewing machines thanks to Mum I came to sewing late, I got my first sewing machine when I was 28, I was always put off them as I didn't like the look of the modern machines, my Mum got round this by managing to find my a working condition hand powered Singer Sewing machine from Freecycle.
My Mum sewed A LOT when my sister and I where little, she made most of our clothes, our baby blankets, cot liners, changing bags and pretty much anything else she could find a patten for or sometimes just get a good look at then go home and make it up on the fly. Both of us have very clear memories of her sitting at the dinning room table in the evenings and weekends making something. She still has the same sewing machine she had then and it is still going strong. The sound of that machine whirring up to speed is very heavily rooting in my childhood. I love that sound, its one of those things that shapes you before you even realise its happening.
Although I have always loved sewing machines thanks to Mum I came to sewing late, I got my first sewing machine when I was 28, I was always put off them as I didn't like the look of the modern machines, my Mum got round this by managing to find my a working condition hand powered Singer Sewing machine from Freecycle.
My Dad cleaned and oiled it then brought it down to Bath with them one weekend and I have never looked back. My Singer is, to put it nicely a beast. She is a 66K made in 1919 with the Lotus pattern and still works like a dream (when I thread it correctly!), she also weighs a flippin ton!
I have made countless things on her in the nearly 4 years I've owned her, I can safely say I wouldn't swap this machine for a modern one in a million years. There is something very satisfying about a bit of machinery that manages to be both useful and beautiful at the same time. Also anyone who has one of these will know they made a tremendously satisfy 'tink tink' noise as you turn the handle...I love that!
Last year for my Birthday Richard got me this little cutie...
This one is a Willcox and Gibbs machine probably made in New York but for a British company. This one had resided in a friends shed for many many years, it found a new home with us when Richard happened to mention that I already had a vintage Singer. This little G doesn't sadly work at the moment as its missing its drive belt but it sits proudly in our studio window.
Then for Christmas Richard found me yet another little unloved machine...
This one took a bit of hunting to find out what it is as the makers mark is covered with rust, but I pretty sure this is a German made Muller Model 12 toy sewing machine. It is in a bit of a state but I actually quite like it looking that way, the shape is just so pretty. This one now lives out in the open again over the fireplace in our living room, where she is loved blemishes included.
I have always believed that more than two of anything is a collection so I guess I now collect old sewing machines (apparently the more unloved the better!), I think we will have to hurry up and build that garden workshop if this collection is to continue as we are fast running out of flat surfaces!
This post is not just about sewing machine bragging, it is also a little thank you to my Mum. Who helped make me who I am without either of us realising it...
This post is not just about sewing machine bragging, it is also a little thank you to my Mum. Who helped make me who I am without either of us realising it...
...so basically its all your fault Mum! xx
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