Up until not long ago, I had four sewing machines and one Serger. One of these machines belonged to my grandmother, pictured here seated next to me with my one month old daughter, my sister and my uncle back in 1986.
Although I have had several machines over the years, without a doubt, my all time favorite is my grandmother’s Singer.
Except for the few times she let me use it as a young girl, I’ve never actually sewn on it, but that doesn’t matter. It’s the memories it evokes that gives it a special place in my heart.
My maternal grandmother was a woman who had unparalleled strength of character, a woman who, despite never having attended a day of schooling, was the most intuitively intelligent person I’ve ever met.
She came to America at 18, taught herself English in just a few years, and subsequently raised three children on her own when her husband was hospitalized for a debilitating illness as a result of his service during World War 1. She supported herself and her children by working in a factory doing what was called ‘piecework’. It was monotonous work with long hours and low pay, but it was very common back then for immigrants to earn their living this way.
She came to live with us when my older sister by two years was quite young, so I can’t remember a time when she wasn’t there. She was the one who did the cooking, cleaning and a fair amount of the gardening.
They say traits skip a generation, and I like to think I inherited her penchant for the domestic arts, since my mother had little interest in any of those things.
I look at that machine and I can almost hear the hypnotic humming as my grandmother sewed happily away… our costumes for halloween, school plays or simple hems on pants or dresses.
I sometimes wonder who, in future generations to come, will do these tasks, as sadly it seems sewing is a dying art.
Until recently, her sewing machine was up in our attic, hidden away like old, family photos, long ago forgotten. I decided to liberate it from its confines and give it its rightful place in my craft room.
She passed away a year after the above picture was taken at the age of 84. She had 8 grandchildren. I’m so glad I’m the lucky one who took possession of this beautiful machine. I don’t think anyone else would have appreciated it nearly as much, and I’m pretty sure it would have ended up in a landfill by now.
I hope that somehow she knows her machine is being well taken care of. She would like that, I’m sure.
Grandma, if you’re reading this, I miss you.
Nothing is the same without you.
But I know that whoever you’re hanging out with in heaven is well fed, has clean sheets…
and the best hemned pants around.
Throwback Thursday
Update:If you’d like to see how that little baby girl grew up to be the most beautiful bride ever, go here.
Kathy Moody says
What a precious story! Thank you so much for sharing that with me. Your sewing machine is beautiful. What a treasure you have. Mine is not that fancy, but oh the memories of my grandmother sewing my Easter dresses every with that machine. 🙂
Love your blog!!!
HUGS
Rachel @ Thrifty Inspirations says
What a sweet story about your grandmother. I agree it seems sewing is a dying art. I can’t sew and the only person in my family who could has passed on as well. I have debated taking lessons at a local shop but I don’t own a machine and the thought is intimidating. The Singer machine is absolutely beautiful. I can understand why it is your favorite. Even if it never gets used it is beautiful to look at and I’m sure brings sweet memories to you always.
Thank you for sharing.
XOXO,
Rachel
Jenna says
Thanks for sharing this sweet story with me! I love the look of your grandmother’s sewing machine… it’s beautiful!
Noreen says
That’s a wonderful story about your Grandmother! My Grandmother’s sewing machine came to me in the original cabinet which has 4 drawers. Those drawers have been kept exactly the way she left them… like a museum. I love to look through the items there: carved bone and wood buttons, needles in their original (and ancient) packaging, very old spools of sewing thread and darning thread, tatting shuttles, and all sorts of wonderful treasures. Aren’t we lucky to have these special memories? Thanks for visiting my site.
debra says
VERY beautiful tribute to your grandmother …I was close to mine as well and am lucky enough to have some heirlooms….a quilt, some embroidery, dishes, a vase, etc. I like your idea of listing your favorite stories at your six month anniversary….I think were I to do the same I would pick one of the stories about my grandparents too! : ) Great idea
Joell @ Red Van Ramblings says
Such sweet memories of your grandmother. And a beautiful piece of history to decorate your craft room with…almost like she is in there with you whenever you are working. Lovely post. Visiting from Throwback Thursday.
Denyse @ Glitter, Glue & Paint says
Doreen! I love that sewing machine and it’s so awesome you still have it and cherish it so much! I enjoyed reading this especially when you said how everyone has clean sheets in Heaven!!
Thanks for sharing this at Throwback Thursdays!
xoxo
Denyse
Alli says
I love reading grandma memories. I just recently wrote about both of my grandmothers on my blog.
Yours seemed like a lovely lady. And I love seeing the pics of her sewing machine that you are so lovingly taking care of.
Thanks so much for linking up at Throwback Thursday and for sharing such precious memories!
Roberta says
Hi,
I like your sweet story! I’m a guest of the Throwback Thursday linky party !
I learned to sew from my grandmother, and I have also an old Singer sewing machine which belongs to her!
Greetings from Italy,
Hugs,
Roberta
La Sportina
Doreen@househoneys says
Thank you Roberta! I appreciate your sweet comments and how nice that you’re in Italy! We just had friends over tonight who are leaving for Italy on Tuesday for two weeks and I’m so jealous! I’ve been there twice, but only the ‘touristy’ areas and one day I hope to return and visit Bari and the cinque terra area.
I stopped by your blog but since everything is in Italian I’m afraid I couldn’t understand any of it so therefore couldn’t leave a comment.
Donna L. says
I love to hear about grandmothers too. I was fortunate to have two wonderful grandmothers. They both were great cooks, gardeners, and one didn’t sew but the other one made up for it. My paternal grandmother could make the tiniest hand stitches, you could barely see them. I was close to both of them. It enriches your life tremendously to have someone other than your parents to cherish you.
I really have enjoyed your family story about your grandmother and her sewing machine. I am a grandmother now trying to pass on the legacy that mine left for me as a child. I hope someday mine will fill the same about me. Nothing like being a grandma for sure.
Joy @ Yesterfood says
Doreen, I think your sweet Grandmother would be very happy with this lovely tribute, and definitely happy that you have and cherish her trusty Singer. ♥ Yes, our grandmothers have improved Heaven- not only are the sheets clean, but they have been dried out on the clothesline and have that wonderful, fresh smell. 🙂 Thank you for telling us about your precious Grandmother.
Doreen@househoneys says
Thank you Joy! I appreciate you taking the time to stop by and have a look. Yes, grandmothers are special. Maybe ours are giving each other tips and tricks on sewing right now! That would be a hoot!