Jewells of Thought

Growing up in my family on both my parents sides were not just the agile crafters, but women who had essential skills to provide for their family. Crafting and making pretty or simply functional clothing is not an extravagance or something that is not useful. Sewing was a skill in the American past that was necessary to keep kids in clothes and to make things for everyday use.

As a child I didn’t fully understand that idea. Nor did I understand how to use a sewing machine at all. My senior year I had a class called Home Ec. It was where we cooked and sewed the main thing I remember about the class was making a Senior Year pillow in our school colors. In doing so I was afraid I had killed the sewing machine therefore starting a decades long fear of the sewing machine. I had always heard about threading the needle and knew that wouldn’t be much of a problem for me since I was used to doing that with my cross stitch projects. This is a totally different needle though. In this house I am the queen of threading needles usually, but I have to admit with Grandma’s Pfaff up at the house and my Brother down here I have had a terrible time threading these needles. I definitely need more light to do so.

It’s not stopping me though! I keep going and I get it threaded eventually.

All of my Aunts, Grandma’s and Great-Aunts have impeccable reputations for their sewing prowess. It’s a lot for me to live up to as the newest generation who is trying to learn, but I guess for me going into this interest with humbleness has helped me to learn more. I have several church ladies as well that are very happy to give me any tips and encouragement which is really heartwarming. Plus Mom’s classmate, her advice is also high on my list to glean from.

Looking back on how I reacted to that one project as a senior, I don’t understand why it kept me away from this branch of sewing. It doesn’t make sense to me now as an adult. I lost time asking Grandma Rosemary and Grandma Betty how to use their machines. Only my Grandma Rosie’s Pfaff is left for me to use once I get it serviced eventually. I only wish it hadn’t taken me so long to finally come to my senses about working with these machines.

Is there something you have put off doing? Something that would mean more by learning it from your family elders? Do you have a family member that can still teach you the ropes or a good friend of theirs? I am grateful for the past two months and the people I have talked to and learned from it has been quite an experience.

I didn’t think it would be as emotional as it has become to learn how to sew on a sewing machine. Using Grandma’s machine was a very personally enlightening blessing for me.