Thursday 20 April 2006

Hobbies

 

Donna (D's designs) called this one Hope ! She said when she offered it that I would like it ,How right she was ,I think its lovely and so much like my first sewing machine , And Hope is what we sew into each item we make ! My Dad got it for me ,although unlike this one mine was a treddle .When I was twenty one Mick ,my late husband bought me a new more modern one ,and I had that one too for many years .I made many of my childrens clothes and indeed my own.Years later ,I graduated to an electric sewing machine,and for a time I worked at home making Padders ,(baby shoes)   

   My daughter Sharon was a profient needle woman too,and when she first left home ,when she got married ,she would often Borrow the sewing machine until she got her own ,I was pleased when she did because you could bet your life if I wanted to use it ,it was at Sharons!

When my Granny died ,my Aunty Emily asked me if I would like Grannys sewing machine,since I was most like her ,she would sit for hours at her sewing machine ,sewing for people in the village I would spend many hours turning the handle for her ,and learning from her,though I dont think I realised it at the time ,I asked Aunty  Em could Jean have it because Dad had got me one ,I think Jean has Granny's sewing machine to this day ,and its served her well . 

                                                                                     

Granny also taught me to knit ,Now that was a painful saga,it was towards the end of the war ,she started me off on sock needles ,you know very fine ,with points at both ends ,steel!!! and because I was left handed it was ,agonising I would do quite abit ,then take it back to show Granny,and she just ripped it down and made me start again ,until it was perfect ,I hated it at the time but have to be eternally grateful now .I love my knitting and am always making something My Mum taught me to embroider ,Granny didnt hold with fancy things !and again because I'm left handed,I taught myself to crochet ,in the mirror ,thus reversing everything ! 

 

I was given an old  sewing machine in its own wooden box case ,its in the shed at the moment ,But I watched a programme of some ladies collecting these up and taking them too third world countrys and giving them to women there ,and teaching them to sew ,in order to support them selves and their families ,and they had to be hand sewing machines as they had no 'leccy ,I wish I could donate that one,but dont know who to get in touch with ,it seems such a good cause ,and I would love to give some poor lady the pleasure I have had .

The other picture ,whilst I was in the kitchen with the camera,was of a present from Kate on Mothers day ,she bought me a pretty nighty ,and the red pot complete with a bag of 'muck'and this corm with little tiny green shoots ,she said 'I'm sorry Mum I dont know what it is I've lost the label !!well I ,of course planted it and it is growing ,the only thing is I dont know into what ,but I will keep you updated .

Well there you go some of my hobbies ,if you can get me away from the jolly old PC !

            And how about this one to finish off with Thankyou Angela ,of lil courntry charm xx .

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Know what you mean about the computer. Lots of my hobbies have gone by the board since we became PC users!  My mum used to sit for hours at her machine as well but I never had the interest in sewing although I have done some.  I do not know what happened to her old machine but we still have Mike's Mum's one in the attic. That is a singer that just sits on the table and I do use it from time to time.  I was always much more into knitting.  Love the graphics!
http://journals.aol.co.uk/jeanno43/JeannettesJottings/

Anonymous said...

Interesting. My mum taught me to knit when I was a kid but I don't remember having trouble with my lefthandedness. Maybe she taught me right handed and I didn't know it?
But dont we suffer in this right handed world Jan? All my life I've had to adapt to things that are made for right handers.
I think we're quite special really.
B. x

Anonymous said...

I never did sew, but my mom & grand mother did. I remember as a child mom made all hers & my clothing, & even doll colthes for my dolls. They enjoyed making quilts & knitting too. Guess that gene skipped me! LOL
Have a good day,
SUGAR

Anonymous said...

Oh, and I forgot to mention - my Missus has a sewing machine that's thirty five years old and practically as good as new. That's because it was bought for her sixteenth birthday and she's hardly used it! I think the last time it was used was to make some alterations to her wedding dress. (1979) B. x

Anonymous said...

Lovely entry Jan, always loved knitting but not so good at the sewing Mum made all my clothes right up to we were married.  Read at the weekend that embroidered nightdresses were banned during the last war, interesting. Love Joan.

Anonymous said...

Jan just loved this entry ~ my Mum had a treadle machine and made all of our clothes when we were children ~ and I learnt from her as well as at school where we had needlework classes ~ you brought back so many happy memories ~ sharing your hobbies with us ~ It must have been difficult learning to knit  and crochet being left handed ~ Kate's Mothers day present is lovely wonder what it is lol ~ and the Graphics are lovely ~ Ally

Anonymous said...

Jan...what an interesting entry... I don't do much sewing now, except for Curtains,cushions etc...So pleased with my 'little' Elna..my Ex bought it for me, and I've had it 36yrs! Would you believe Allan has an 'Old' sewing machine, and made his own Tent when he went to Iceland,has also made a waterproof jacket for himself.
I like to knit, but not done much lately...my Mum(99) still 'has a go' and I put her right when I visit..dropped stitches etc.
Aileen....X

Anonymous said...

Hi Jan,

I wish I could knit and sew like you can.  I`m afraid I`m totally hopeless at both despite my Dad buying me a sewing machine as a teenager it went virtually unused apart from hemming curtains etc.  As for knitting, well I can make a mean scarf and that`s it...lol!  It`ll be interesting to see what the plant is but I`ll bet it`s a nice one. :o)

Sandra xxxxx

Anonymous said...

I used to sew a lot but no longer do that. My machine is over 46 years old and I have really used it over the years making my families clothes. It still works and looks good. My daughter has my Granny's old treadle sewing machine and has refinished it and it is beautiful. It still works too. I never learded to knit but did learn to embroider. It will be interesting to see what kind of plant you daughter  gave you is. Have a great afternoon. Helen

Anonymous said...

I like to sew too.  Haven't done it in a long time but my daughter Cindi and I have cut denim squares to make a quilt.  Can't wait to finish that sometime soon.  What a nice entry!  GBU, Shelly

Anonymous said...

Hi Jan lovely entry and graphics,funny you talking about Grannys sewing machine I used it last week to alter some jeans, and while it was out I gave the wooden case a good polishing.The only thing was it took me ages to thead the needle!!! and that was with my glasses on! I was never as clever as you at making clothes and things  but Grannys machine has certainly come in handy over the years.You must have been so downhearted when Gran undid your hard earned knitting ,she would be so proud of what you have achieved since..........Love Jeanxx

Anonymous said...

Lots of memories for me there Jan, I used to use my mother's old treddle machine, I used to make myself things out of my older sisters cast offs - remember the voluminous skirts of the 50's?  Lots of material there to work with. I still have the electric sewing machine that I bought for myself from Barkers of Kensington.  It cost £25 - a  fortune!!! but it was a new fangled thing that sewed backwards and forwards and embroidered.  I've no idea what magic tricks the current sewing machines perform - 'cos I'm still happy with my 1960's model!  Funny that Jean said she had trouble threading the needle - me too, I eventually gave up trying, even with one of those threader things :-(

Anonymous said...

Not sew good - he he, get it? - with sewing machines myself, though would love to learn one day, would definately come in handy!
Sara   x

Anonymous said...

I have a sewing machine, but I just have a major problem with straight lines. My knitting was never particulary good either lol

Anonymous said...

Hi Jan, I learnt to sew at school and even did an O level in it !!! Kept at it for quite a few years til I ran out of time and space with the children coming along LOL My gran taught me and my sister to knit ~ I used to love it, but made nothing but scarves !! Lovely entry today, pretty graphics :-) Have a nice evening !
Hugs and love
Debbie ~xxx~
http://journals.aol.com/debbiewebb4465/TheLifeTimesofanEssexGirl

Anonymous said...

My mother in law used to do all the sewing for us,she had been in tailoring years ago and was fabulous at mending and making things.I always loved knitting and made my two little boys matching arran jumpers and hats. . they laugh at the photos and cringe lol. I used to make pram sets and boottees. . funny,you never see babies in knitted stuff much now.

Anonymous said...

I can knit and crochet anything but am so hopeless with a needle it is untrue, I cannot sew for toffee. I hope you find out how to dontate the machine............Jules xxx
http://journals.aol.co.uk/jules19642001/Itsmylife/

Anonymous said...

Hi Mum, glad you haven't told everyone that the only thing i can knit is dish cloths. Oh well i can't be as clever as you can i. Not feeling too bad now after having tooth pulled, jaw hurts like mad though. Will speak to you tomorrow after my injections in spine for my back. Hopefully and please god, let me start to feel more NORMAL (Whatever that is) after tomorrow. Love you so much.

Anonymous said...

Hello Jan

Such a lovely entry in your journal today.   I am enjoying my 'creativness' at the moment, my auntie taught me to knit when i was a child and i did some dressmaking at school, and for some reason i seem to be having a revival of it all....lol.......and am loving it!!!    Reading your entry today has given me a boost, a lovely 'feel good factor'!
Luv Jayne x
http://journals.aol.co.uk/funnyface0s0/SingleGirl

Anonymous said...

I like that word--Padders. My mother could really sew on a treddle sewing machine but I only used a more modern one. I have always wanted to tell you this. You look so much like the daughter of friends of my Mom and Dad. Of course she is older now. Her name is Lois. Just wanted to tell you, you have a twin in Texas. Paula

Anonymous said...

Jan, I have never mastered the art of knitting, sewing, or crocheting.  Surprises me too, because my mother was very good at all three.  She crocheted some of the most beautiful Barbie doll clothes when I was little.  Even a wedding gown, which I regret to say that I no longer have possesion of.  She actually one a contest for that gown.  You should have seen it.  It was so beautiful!  Such intricate work, time, and patience went into making those gowns. (She actually made 2 of them.. one for me and my sister).  

I need to learn to crochet.. I really do.  I would love to make a blanket for my yet to be born grandson..    But, I will probably end up hiring someone to make it! <sigh>

Jackie

Anonymous said...

My mother had a treddle machine that she made our dresses and the boys little shorts and shirt outfits when we were little.  She later got an electric one.  Me...I did take sewing in 4H and Highschool and that was ok.  But later I tried to sew and just taking the lid off would aggravate me.  My sons learned to sew, and they weren't too bad.  Chad bought him a new machine last month and I actuallly showed him how to thread it with the tension right.  So I guess I didn't forget everything! lol

Hugs
Darlene

Anonymous said...

Sorry I'm a bit late reading! I used to have an old Singer treadle, used it to make all my daughters clothes, she was such a beanpole that shop bought skirts used to fall off her! I taught myself to knit and crochet when I got to forty years old. Within two months I was knitting Aran sweaters for a Scottish firm, P also have some of the crocheted lace doilies I made, I'll have to do an entry on them one day......have to wash and iron them first beforehand!! I've also done a few embroidered pictures I'v had framed. Lovely entry, really enjoyed it, you're so clever to be able to do all this. Jeannette.  

Anonymous said...

Hi, how interesting you mentioned being left handed and you being taught how to knit socks with those double pointed needles. Years ago my aunt taught me, and it seemed near impossible to knit the heal, but somehow I made a pair of green socks, don't think they were ever worn.That was the end of my knitting until last week when I was very taken with this new type of wool, so sometimes I knit for a while, as if i drop a stitch,it doesn't show, lol
Rach.xx

Anonymous said...

You must be very patient!!  I only know how to sew buttons on but I do surprise myself from time to time with sewing lol.......I once learnt how to knit as my mum used to do it a lot but I don't think I could do it now LOL........You should look those people up on the web.  They must have a website surely??!!

Anonymous said...

I have an old sewing machine I bought at an antique store.  I used to sew quite a bit when my children were small but can't seem to find the time anymore.  My mother is a very proficient seamstress.  Knitting, neither one of us can do at all.  I do like to garden but sometimes my green thumb turns brown.  You actually made baby shoes?  Chris