Wood and Metal

The Weekly Word Challenge words this week were Wood and Metal. (Thanks kcninnova,  for keeping me posted). In the continuing spirit of showing you around my house, I knew just the picture to use.

This is my grandmother’s sewing machine. It is the machine she taught me to sew on, and the machine she crafted her amazing collection of doll clothes on. Think Barbie size dolls in period costumes—they were amazing.

We always had beautiful matching cloth coats with great linings also.

This is my grandmother. To say mom’s and her relationship was complicated would be like saying the political situation in the middle east is complicated. My grandmother suffered a psychotic break when my mother was 12, and was an unmedicated schizophrenic for the rest of her life.

Still, there were times when my sister and I were little that we had great times with Grandma. And most of those times revolved around that sewing machine.

Comments

[Cheri]

I would have a psychotic break if I sewed doll clothes. But, seriously, what a great machine, and a clever post. My mom had a Singer just like it . . . come to think of it, she's really mental. Hmmm.

[JCK]

Jenn, I think that sewing machine is a piece of art. It is amazing.

Some of the most amazing family histories and stories are those with sadness and psychosis. So good that you have fond memories of her and the sewing machine. Very cool idea to share this and let us get a glimpse of who you are.

[kcinnova]

Great post! Your story to go with the photo makes it even better.

[Tink]

Awesome picture and post. I'd love to hear more about your Grandmother!

[CircusKelli]

That is a fantastic sewing machine! Wow!

[Smalltown Mom]

I have a treadle machine (not a Singer) that the Red Cross gave to my mother's family in 1918, after they lost everything (including two children) in a massive wildfire in Minnesota.

[Tootsie Farklepants]

Some of the best times I spent as a child were at the sewing machine with my grandmother. She was an amazing seamstress! I had some of the best handmade dresses. I miss her.

[Anastasia Beaverhausen]

I'm a crappy sewer (Wait... I meant seamstress...right? Because otherwise I just spelled sewer. You know...like where the bad stuff goes. Never mind). My sister would love a sewing machine like that. It's gorgous.

[Rick]

They don't make them like that anymore. That's machine is a piece of art.

http://organizeddoodles.blogspot.com/

[Prof. J]

I have a machine just like that one. And, I have a family history that's similar. Hmm. . could we have been separated at birth?

[Domestically Challenged]

Touching post Jen,
sewing is like weeding - you forget your troubles whilst doing it.

[Amy the Mom]

So sweet. I used to sew a great deal when I was younger.

My husband's brother is schizophrenic and has been institutionalized since he was 21-almost 30 years now. It's a very cruel mental illness-not that there's a good one, of course.

[mikegolch]

in the 60's I not only had my Grandma I also got to know my great grandma.We called her little grama.she was really tiny.
I also enjoy the pedal sewing machine,we had one of those in the family.

[Suzy]

That is one fabulous piece of Americana. Just gorgeous.

I can't imagine what it would be like to be a child of a schizophrenic back in those days. Your mom must have been very brave.

[debbie]

My Granny has a Singer machine...though without the fancy 'artwork' on it, so maybe a bit newer...I also learned how to sew using that wonderful, damn machine!! Was so glad when she finally bought an electric one!! She still has it, but now...it's more for decoration. Having a piece of history...that comes with memories is the best, isn't it?!?!

[Hilary]

Wonderful post.. beautiful memories and great machine.

[Grandy]

What great memories to have tied to that sewing machine.