Quote:
Originally Posted by Martin Pal
This brought to mind the question of whether many average families still buy and use sewing machines? When I was growing up it seems to me most every one of my friends mothers had a sewing machine, not only to repair a tear or sew on a button, but many made a lot of clothes, including my own mother. A trip to a Singer store to pick up and view new "patterns" was not an uncommon occurrence on the weekends. I even recall television ads for the latest model of sewing machines and I can't remember the last time I saw one of those. I remember my mother often sewing late into the evening when I was watching tv. Or, as my father would say when he came in, "What is your mother building now?" Anyone else remember sewing machines in the house?
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My Mother and also both Grandmothers sewed, as it was far more economical for them to make the family clothing this way. Grandma sewed with her Singer treadle machine up until she wasn't able to sew anymore. My Mom made me dresses until I became a fashion conscious teen and wanted name brands. (It was the 80's). She still made dresses and shirts for the grand and great-grandchildren up until she passed away. Her clothing lasted longer than anything store bought. It was well made and very durable.
When she passed, her Granddaughters all wanted to take her sewing machines and cabinets and fabrics and notions so they could continue the tradition. As far as I know, they continue to use them.
One of the things I learned from Mom is that during the depression years, it was common to use flour sacks to make shirts from. The bags would be disassembled and bleached until the cloth was white and soft. My Grandmother made my Dad & Uncle shirts from flour sacks.
When I was a child I received a metal Singer machine as a Christmas gift. My Grandpa (a carpenter) fitted a cabinet for it, and I still have it. It has one stitch setting, and needs servicing, but it did help me make a set of Gryffindor robes about 12 years ago. When I first received it, I made Barbie doll clothing with it. Mom gave me another machine more recently, but I haven't made anything with it. Most of the time I use the machine to mend clothing, not to make clothing. Pottermore sorted me into Slytherin house last year, so maybe I'll make Slytherin robes next. 🐍 (Let's see if the snake emoji shows up)