Monday, January 30, 2012

Sewing Machine

One day Daddy was on his way home to the ranch, when he noticed that  someone had cleaned out an old house, he stopped to see what was being thrown away.  You just never know what you might find, you know one man's junk is another man's treasure. He noticed a sewing machine in the heap,  loaded it up in the pickup, took it home, cleaned it up, made a few repairs, and this made Mom so happy. She had a Singer long bobbin treadle machine. 
And for more than twenty years she made all the family clothes, dolls and their clothes, other toys, quilts and mended many a pair of jeans and shirts on this machine.  Late in the evening after everyone was in bed, you could hear the rhythm of the machine as she turned out our wardrobe. She also taught all us kids to sew.  She felt that it was as important for a boy to know how to take care of himself as it was for a girl to know the details of homemaking. Her goal was to make us independent.  Being able to sew was just one element in self-sufficiency.  Her trusted old treadle machine was one of the tools that helped us learn these lessons.
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20 comments:

  1. NanaDianaMonday, January 30, 2012

    I still have my Gramma's treadle machine and can just picture her sitting there sewing her dresses and aprons.

    I hope someone in your family still has the machine. xo Diana

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  2. Tami AKA My Kid's MomMonday, January 30, 2012

    I learned how to sew on a treadle machine. It was my grandmothers and my sister took it - not sure what happened to it when she died.

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  3. Chatty CroneMonday, January 30, 2012

    My grandma had one - I spent hours playing with it. Sandie

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  4. AprilMonday, January 30, 2012

    Hi Marti!
    My granny had a seweing machine just like it! When I'd go visit her, I'd always play with it. Good memories, for sure!

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  5. Wendie Scott DavisMonday, January 30, 2012

    We had a treadle machine in the upstairs hallway for years when I was growing up. I think it may have inspired me to start sewing. And it probably caused less grief than any of the machines I have had since then. They sure don't make 'em like that anymore.

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    Replies
    1. Cranberry MorningMonday, January 30, 2012

      And when the price of electricity becomes sky high, it will be nice to have that treadle sewing machine available! I have one of those too, and think they are beautiful. Love it that your mom taught the boys to sew too. And why not!

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    2. Cheryl @ TFDMonday, January 30, 2012

      Both my grandmothers had treadles. A lot of clothes were made on these machines. I have the base of one of them and put a table top on it. I wish I'd inherited the love of sewing like my g'mothers, mother and aunt. I've made quite a few things in the past, but haven't sewn much in recent years.

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    3. BobbiMonday, January 30, 2012

      Wow...how neat is that!? I just love this story! I think she was right on about teaching boys to take care of themselves. I'm going to do my best...to not separate him from domestic learning. He'll make a great husband that way too!

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  6. irinapicturesMonday, January 30, 2012

    Great touching story.

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  7. Lois ChristensenMonday, January 30, 2012

    How nice that your dad found the machine on the side of the road! I have a sewing machine just like this in our house. It's just being used as a nice decorative piece but it still has the sewing machine inside. Enjoy!

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  8. MollyMonday, January 30, 2012

    I've still got a Singer sewing machine too and it works like a dream

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  9. ConnyMonday, January 30, 2012

    yep, my grandma had one probably just like that ... the whole foot pedal concept fascinated me!

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  10. Starting Over, Accepting Changes - MaybeMonday, January 30, 2012

    My mom sewed quite a lot on her old Singer machine which had previously belonged to her mom. When we grew up, we bought her a new fancy-schmantzy one with all the bells and whistles? She loved that one but we all knew that she would still use the old treadle.

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  11. Wsprsweetly Of CottagesMonday, January 30, 2012

    Bless your heart, I now have my comments back. People are still having trouble posting on it but at least I can see it...and I want to thank you again for taking the time to help me! You are a dear!!
    I have one of those old treadle sewing machines. It's wonderful. Still has the keys to lock it in the drawer and works beautifully.

    I loved this post..

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  12. the wild magnoliaMonday, January 30, 2012

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  13. the wild magnoliaMonday, January 30, 2012

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  14. the wild magnoliaMonday, January 30, 2012

    My Mom had a machine that looked like this, may have been the same. She never made cloths and only used it for mending. Nonetheless she kept the wood shining like a new penny.

    Thank you for sharing.

    (sorry about the deletes - i was having trouble. ;-))

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  15. highheeledlifeMonday, January 30, 2012

    Marti .. I love the history behind your beautiful treasure and what a blessing to have such a wonderful mother! xo HHL

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  16. VeeTuesday, January 31, 2012

    What a special find that was!

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  17. Mevely317Tuesday, January 31, 2012

    Goodness, this makes me miss my momma! She was a marvelous seamstress; unfortunately, I wasn't that appreciative or interested in learning.

    How I longed to buy retail! ... then, on those (rare) occasions we'd go to the department store, I was sooooo embarrassed how she'd examine and critique the seams or zippers. ("Mu-TH-er!")

    Of course,nowadays I catch myself examining seams and wishing momma were still around.

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