I never owned a sewing machine myself, but when my daughter was a toddler, I rented an electric machine from May Co. and made my little girl dresses. My sister-in-law taught me how to do smocking along the bodice and little puffed sleeves. Must admit, they were pretty cute. I remember growing up watching my Mom sew on her Singer sewing machine. Not electric, but a treadle machine. Fascinating to me how she did it.
My grandmother had a heavy iron treadle machine, didn't use it anymore bye the time I came along. But when I was about 10 or 12, I got into making things out of leather, and she set me up with the old treadle machine. It could sew through even the thickest leather! I ended up making leather vests and purses, chokers, headbands, everything with that thing.
micki
Apr 19, 2023
Ah, the good old days. At least machines lasted longer then. Most things are made now with so many parts that they break down faster. I admire you being able to make so many leather things. Bet they looked rad.
bopitextreme
Apr 21, 2023
Haha, yes, I was particularly proud of one item I made: a suede fringe vest. Those were REALLY in when I was in high school - and mine had fringe down to the floor! For once I felt "cool."
Well what a puzzle! I thought it was going to be very hard which it seemed like at first. Then I figured it out and moved along.
BTW, I always wondered why I am mostly at the bottom of the list for timing, so asked the puzzle makers if the timing was matched with others who use the same cut, guess what, NO!
So the champs of the puzzle could be using the simpler cuts and always seen as the champs, puzzle wide.
Geez!
I think we should vote to change this plan but it could take a lot of time. Maybe we could use awards for this instead of the whole group.
What do you think. I'll ask but others need to also.
Arlene
This past school year, I had the privilege of helping the high school students in our special needs life skill class sew pillows. Not being much of a seamstress, there were some challenges along the way. I am so blessed to be able to help my students with this project. The look of excitement and pride with each of them when they took their pillows home was definitely worth it. On to small blankets this coming year!!!!
That is great what you are doing for these special kids. I loved working in Special ed. I am now trying to get my bachelor's so can move forward as being a licensed teacher. It s a hard career to get into. Everything needs licensing and it is very expensive. VA. has strict rules and makes t hard to get into this field. By the time I finish will be almost 64 as I turn 60 in January. I admire you for what you do.
aussiesapphire
Jun 23, 2016
Oh mamag - yu just made me feel so old lol. I am 75 and fast approaching 76. But as most everyone says, age is just a number.
mamag15
Jun 24, 2016
That is what my Pastor said to me the other day. I have been feeling really bad lately and I feel like I have not accomplished anything in my life. Raising three kids, working all my life, and nothing to show for it. This is my pity party and I hate it. Sunday I am going before the altar at church and confessing everything before God. If that does not make me feel better, then nothing will. God bless and have a good night.
aussiesapphire
Jun 25, 2016
We all get to feeling that way sometimes mamag,
especially when things did not go the way we would have hoped. But there is something God has for us to do that only we can accomplish. Hang on to that thought and ask God to show you what it is, and He will. I am sure there are many things in your life that you have done - just take a little time and sit down, pray, and think about it. It will come to you. One thing I can think of on this site is that you are a great encouragement to people on here and that is a great gift. Lovely hugs for you this day.
mamag15
Jun 25, 2016
Thank you Aussie. I feel a whole lot better. Love you from afar my friend. :)
aussiesapphire
Jun 25, 2016
Thank you mamag, once again that is a great encouragement to me. Hugs.
elijah13
Apr 27, 2017
You are young! I turned 80 in November. You are only as old or young as you feel. Some days I feel young and some days I feel old. I just try to always think positive!
rahrah1820
Nov 1, 2017
Elijah, congrats on your birthday this month! My brother in law just turned 80 and my sister had 76 guests for his birthday party. At least half of that was family. God bless you as you bless so many others, and may you both continue to do so for a long, long time.
elijah13
Nov 3, 2017
Thanks. My sister and I will turn 81 on Nov. 12th.
rahrah1820
Nov 4, 2017
You must be twins! see how quick I am? lol
elijah13
Nov 4, 2017
Yes, we are twins and she and her husband live across the street from me.
dbnc2
Nov 4, 2017
I got you all beat I will be 90 in Jan.
the older you get the faster time fly's
elijah13
Nov 4, 2017
No one knows that better than we do! We just try to stay busy and hope for the best. Happy early birthday!
aussiesapphire
Nov 4, 2017
I read somewhere that life is like a toilet roll, the closer you get to the end, the faster it goes. lol - hugs.
elijah13
Nov 5, 2017
That's very true and it's almost impossible to slow it down. Just do your best everyday.
I just used my sewing machine that looks like this last week. I cut large towels in half and zig-zaged the cut side so my cats will have towels to lay on top of their pillows. Mine is a portable Singer (heavy as lead) that I bought probably bought about 45 years ago.
I have been wishing for an older machine. I bought a new computerized one about two years and due to health issues I'm just now getting started using it. It has some awesome features, but I need to read the manual and watch the dvd to learn how to use it! lol I'm computer literate, but this computer scares me to death! I'm helping my daughter, who is a teacher, to make chair totes for her 20 students, and I am going at a snail's pace. Ugh. I use to sew clothes for her when she was little, and I could whip them out, but now...oh my!
elijah13
Nov 2, 2017
I like a piece of paper with instructions on it. Some people still don't have computers or know very little about how to use them. What are chair totes? Good luck helping your daughter.
rahrah1820
Nov 2, 2017
Thank you, I'll take that wish for good luck! lol A chair tote fits over the back of their chair and has 2 nice, big pockets, so they can keep their books, lunch, etc organized. They sit at a table in chairs, so they don't have the convenience of a desk with a lid that opens to storage. We got denim to use, and she found what we were looking for on Pinterest, so we have a good idea of what we want to accomplish. Have you checked out Pinterest? You can get stuck in there for hours at a time, so many good ideas.
elijah13
Nov 2, 2017
Haven't gone on Pinterest and really don't want to. I have enough stuff now without accumulating any more. Those chair totes sound wonderful. Where I taught they have desks with chairs. In fact I'm going to lunch tomorrow with the people who worked at the school when I was there. They get together once a month for lunch. It's called SLERP--Spring Lake Elementary retired persons.
rahrah1820
Nov 4, 2017
Slerp.........I like that, of course it could be confused with slurp...nay...not with school folk! lol Have a wonderful time.
A vintage sewing machine, one of my greatest loves. I have one from the early 1880's, over 130 years old. Yes it still sews, or will when I get its treadle belt on it again.
BTW, I always wondered why I am mostly at the bottom of the list for timing, so asked the puzzle makers if the timing was matched with others who use the same cut, guess what, NO!
So the champs of the puzzle could be using the simpler cuts and always seen as the champs, puzzle wide.
Geez!
I think we should vote to change this plan but it could take a lot of time. Maybe we could use awards for this instead of the whole group.
What do you think. I'll ask but others need to also.
Arlene
especially when things did not go the way we would have hoped. But there is something God has for us to do that only we can accomplish. Hang on to that thought and ask God to show you what it is, and He will. I am sure there are many things in your life that you have done - just take a little time and sit down, pray, and think about it. It will come to you. One thing I can think of on this site is that you are a great encouragement to people on here and that is a great gift. Lovely hugs for you this day.
the older you get the faster time fly's
brings memories