Wednesday 12 August 2009

12th August

Friday 1982
Had 1/2 day off work
Made a silk mini skirt and camisole top
Went to the Railway in Ainsdale for a drink
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I am sure there must be photographic evidence of the outfit I made somewhere. It was made out of grey shot Thai silk.. my brother had been out to Thailand and brought me the fabric back.
I have for years made stuff (cutains, bridesmaid dresses, ragdolls, suits... etc etc) although not so much in recent years.
Teen is taking Textiles at college so I am about to turn my underused conservatory into a studio complete with clothes mannequin so she has somewhere to work ... oh and me too [I hope]!
I was at Mums last week sorting out stuff for her and I came across an old sewing machine.
It was my Nanas. Mum told me how Nana used make all sorts on it from dresses to curtains, for her and anyone who asked her to make things. It must have been tough as it is a hand powered sewing machine.. no treddle and no electric!

I now have it here at home..... Mum remembers that it was bought before she was born and it was second hand. In the lid is written in pencil '26/04/27'.. I am guessing that is when my Nana bought it.
Don't you just love the internet though... with a bit of surfing I discovered (from the serial number) that the machine was made in Clydebank in 1917... in the midsts of WW1 wow! They were making amunition too at the time in the factory too... gawd I hope it doesn't explode!!

What was way interesting ... in this secret compartment
My Mum had stashed a few bits of mine growing up
There is the only badge I got as Brownie ... oh ironic it is a 'writers' badge. I do remember having to do a piece on Liechtenstein and Brownies over there .... mmm hasn't Liechtenstien been in the press just lately .. tax haven and all that.
There was also my 'sixer' stripe .. the wee girls in the front of the photo here was what we wore back then in the 70s (although I didn't have a pom pom on my hat!! thank goodness!)

Hey there is my Prefect badge .. I was also Deputy Head Girl and had a badge for that too .. mm that has got lost in time

Oh and a Sad Cafe bit of merchandise from 1980




Aren't parents great !! :)

& the machine will have pride of place in the new studio ... oh and yes in case you were wondering 92 years later it still works!!

20 comments:

John C said...

My grandmother had one similiar, still used it in the 70s to make clothes. Never did like it myself.

The blue jean purse I made for my mother had too much butt in it.

Crocheting was easier. Not that I know personally.

Anonymous said...

How lucky you are! Isn't it wonderful to find a bit of your past that you didn't know was still there?

92 years later and it still works. Remarkable. I hope when I'm 92, someone can say that about me.

Daddy Papersurfer said...

Same as my Mum's ..... I remember she used a redundant silk parachute after the war to make stuff [not for me!] - I used to have the job of winding the bobbin ........

I suppose JohnC is going to go all 'funny' now thinking of you in a Brownie uniform ....... oh well ..... *atchoo*

Anonymous said...

70s can you sew me some new corsets?

70steen said...

JC ~ it is hard to use but I am way impressed that you tried... oo I never had you down for a crocheter??

70steen said...

Dear Frac ~ yep I keep coming across things Mum kept she is a little star..

hey we could all still be blogging at 92 arthritic hands willing not to mention the incontinence pants lol ;-)

70steen said...

DP ~ my Mum was talikng about parachute silk the other day... yep nana used to make dresses etc out of it too. It must have been in plenty where as other fabric was scarce ...

p.s. don't put ideas in his head .....

70steen said...

NM ~ I know a Teen who could ;-)

John C said...

Fracas: You'll never see 92 again, hon.

DP: If I'm gonna fantasize about 70s, it's as the woman she is. Tha's wha' floats deh big John boat!

70s: Knitting was too difficult with two rods. Easier to control the thread tension with one hand. But I do have an extreme fondness for macramed hanging plant holders. (goes 'funny' about the intricate frilly but very manly ones envisioned)

Daddy Papersurfer said...

Too late - the idea is there now ..... festering ..... and probably includes macraméd earrings .....

Daddy Papersurfer said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
John C said...

DP:???

Self editing? Dang?

A set for me would be wonderful actually. I'm an old fashioned guy, so a pair would actually be two sets for me. I don't think I've reopened that hole in 9 years, come to think of it.

HelpXtra said...

Interesting post. My Mother also had one, possibly still has. I used it to make a flysheet for an old tent I had. Wonderful machines.

Daddy Papersurfer said...

It was a repeat post young John .... I didn't want people to think I was cracking up ..... luckily no-one noticed .........

John C said...

(nods) After I read it I got the second one emailed to me. Need to tell Fracas to get a backup mouse...that one's doin' double clickin' on links.

I...I'm sorry if I came across too direct. It wasn't my intention.

fracas said...

"Need to tell Fracas to get a backup mouse...that one's doin' double clickin' on links."

Whatever are you talking about John?

70steen said...

hee hee dear Frac I am glad you are as in the dark as I am ;-)

John C said...

Fracas is resorting to reprinting the Word of John...pass it on.

Belinha Fernandes said...

Oh my God!I have a sewing machine just like thi sone in the corridor!It belongs to my mother!:)They are so beautifull!

70steen said...

Belinha they are works of art .. I agree so beautiful :-)