I am not a sewer, although I should be. My maternal grandmother was a seamstress, as was her mother before her. My mother's sister ran a haberdashery for many years, and kept Nanna's old treadle Singer machine in the shop window as part of her display. I took Home Economics for all five years of high school, and learned how to draft patterns and sew all manner if garment types. But I don't really sew. I sewed all our curtains, but other than essential running repairs, I don't really sew.
I've never had room to have a sewing machine set up on a permanent basis, and clearing off a surface (like the dining room table) and setting up the machine always seemed like to much of a bother. Besides, I have too many other 'hobbies' that I don't have time for. First, I was a teacher (say goodbye to free time from day 1), and now I am a wife and mother. With 2 under 3, my time is not my own!
So you might wonder why my husband bought me a sewing machine for Christmas. I have had sewing machines before: never anything special, just a basic model with a bobbin, that will zigzag, sew a buttonhole, and pretty much be worry free.
We had a clearout a bit over a year ago, in which we just auctioned off a lot of stuff. I think most people go through phases where they look around at their stuff, and wonder where it all came from, and then ponder about treasures in heaven, and what is important after all. Usually after having children, or facing job loss, or losing a close friend, or some crisis. In all the stuff that went, we got ride of my little-used generic swing machine... the one that had sewn the curtains. We didn't sell the other sewing machine. The one that used to belong to his grandmother. Family heirloom type thing. It intimidates me, so it sits in the closet getting older.
And then he bought me a sewing machine for Christmas. But don't worry. It wasn't a surprise. He called me over to look at it while we were browsing around one of our local antique stores (well, he was browsing. I was trying to keep two sets of little fingers from breaking anything we couldn't afford to pay for, which was just about everything.)
I have to say I fell in love. And the dear old gentleman running the booth gave us a great discount, seeing as how it was nearly Christmas.
That's why I am now the proud owner of a Willcox and Gibbs chain stitch sewing machine, circa 1890. No bobbin, hand turned wheel, no setup, no plugging in, no fuss, no worries.
A fine example of Victorian Engineering.
A little bit of research (i.e. Google) led me to THIS website, which gave quite a detailed history of this little baby.
Apparently I am now the proud possessor of one of the most collected sewing machines of all time. Good luck finding one on EBay though. I tried to get a price comparison, and couldn't find one anywhere! Don't know how much they sell for, just know what I paid for mine ;)
And so I plan to sew! Don't get too excited. I'm not going to turn into a quilter or start making all of my family's clothes. Maybe some doll's clothes? Bonnets for my two wee girls? A fleece beanie for hubbie? Dunno. But it will be an adventure.
Definitely no curtains.
