Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Something I've never shown.

A post or two ago I posted some photos of a finish that I'd propped in an old china cabinet in my entryway.  An observant stitcher spied something on display on that cabinet so here it is:


My Betsy Ross child's sewing machine.  Besides the super ucky green spool of thread that came with it, it's in fabulous shape and as cute as can be, to boot.  The green thread is on a wooden spool and came on the machine so I left it but maybe I should just pull the thread off and leave the empty wooden spool?)



Next to the machine is my grandmother's old school text book.  Way back then...in the 20's...dressmaking was a regular class.


When I opened it up I found a cloth bookmark with some practice hem stitches.  It's almost at the very end of the book.  Given how well my grandmother could sew, I bet she really did read this entire book.


The copyright is 1927 and the information written in the front cover says my grandmother was in 7th grade when she was given this book in school.


Interestingly complaisant participants were imagined by the artist.



Anyone who does cross stitch finishing could still use this section.


Finally, aren't we all thankful we don't have to iron using this?!?!?


Man, that thing must have been heavy.  I bet everyone remembers someone using one as a doorstop.

I will soon show some framing and maybe a couple wee quilt finishes.

Pam

2 comments:

  1. I love the old dressmaking and home economics books! I have two home economics and one singer dressmaking. That "super ucky green spool of thread" is now a VERY popular teal color! I love your Halloween cards around the edge of your blog!
    The more things change, the more things stay the same.

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  2. That is such a darling old sewing machine, Pam! And how great to have the original box, too. I had no idea they used to teach dressmaking in schools... You were lucky to have such a talented grandmother--did she share any of her sewing secrets with you. My grandma (according to my mom, anyway) could just look at a person and sew a dress for her! Unfortunately, I wasn't too interested in learning anything from her when she was still alive...

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