"Sewing took up quite a bit of my mother's time, but she considered that a pleasure. Most of our clothes she designed and made herself, especially when we were fairly young. Smocked dresses took ages to make, but I had a good many. Summer afternoons in the lawn chairs and winter evenings by the fireside were put to good use. While my mother sewed, one of us would read out loud to her or just play quietly - at times."
~Drawn From New England (Tasha Tudor) by Bethany Tudor
The excerpt above, written by Tasha Tudor's daughter, Bethany, could well be describing our family, for we, too, were brought up at our mother's side as she sat long hours sewing, both by hand and on her treadle sewing machine.
I remember well the day Momma's ruffler attachment for her treadle sewing machine went missing. While Momma sewed, my little brother and I often played together. To keep us occupied, she even allowed us, sometimes, to play with the little metal box of sewing machine attachments. I seemed to be most fascinated with the beautiful velvet lined-box, while my little brother was most assuredly captivated with the ruffler.
On this particular day, when my mother opened the little box for the ruffler, it was not there. Now, she used that ruffler a lot for gathering and pleating skirts and ruffles of all kinds. Of course, she must have searched the house high and low looking for that oh-so-important and necessary sewing attachment, but to no avail. And, just like that, our household was in total chaos, with everyone, even my dad and older brothers, getting involved.
I think it was I who suggested it might be outside in "the dirt place" where we liked to play. I don't remember who found it buried in the dirt, but whoever did surely saved the day. Peace was restored to our family and home, and the once doomed little ruffler now happily bobbed up and down as my mother sat sewing, and all was well...
~Mary
19 comments:
Buried in the dirt - Oh no! I have that same kit but the velvet isn't in as good of condition. Also, what gorgeous children:-)
I like your little story. I hope the ruffler was none the worse off for having been buried in the dirt.
So nice to see the old pictures!
I bet your mother sure was glad to have her ruffler back.
Did you little brother ever get to play with it again! :)
My mother didn't sew but she did knit a lot.
A ruffled... that's a new one to me. Y'wonder who buried it? I remember my mom darning socks. And I learned to sew on a treadle machine. Was in awe with our first electric machine (but they new sewed as well as treadle.
Of all your memories, I admire your family in every way.
What a wonderful story of finding a lost treasure, although I am sure at the time your mom was both not happy and worried about her ruffler. Both my gramma H and my mom both sewed their own clothes for their family. Janice
My mom used to take us to my grandparents farm so she could sew on her mom's treadle. I loved that machine, but don't recall seeing any attachments. There are a couple rufflers that go with my 1950s vintage Singers, I've played with them a bit but never made anything useful with the rufflers. You had a doll that reminded me so much of my Ruthie doll, and that little stove looks pretty much like one my sister and I had. So fun to see these old photos and the memories they stir.
I love this little story!
Your mother taught me a lot about sewing and she made a lot of sweet things for my girls.
I think my old Singer has a ruffler but I've never used it.
My moms sewing machine had attachments but not in such a nice box...I love the story. My mom let me look at the attachments but not play with them.
The ruffler story reminds me of the time when Mother's silverware started disappearing. My youngest brother and his little friend were burying it in the yard.
My mother was an excellent seamstress and made all my clothes. I didn't truly appreciate her talent back then, but was always proud of the clothes she made. I took her ability for granted back then--now I'm almost amazed by her fabric choices, individual touches, and professional skills.
Love the old photographs!
I have a vivid memory of my 4 year old self sitting on the front porch of the farmhouse with my mother and g-grandmother while they hemmed the little pinafore jumpers or pajamas they had made for my sister and me--taking turns with the old 'White' treadle machine. I did my first machine sewing on that old treadle, though never proficient with it. My mother had a rather large teacher friend who sometimes passed along a wool or corduroy skirt; Mother would pick out the seams and manage to create 2 small skirts with matching weskits.
I've owned many sewing machines in a lifetime of sewing--each more sophisticated than the last. Now that we're more settled in our newly built home, I've set up a sewing corner in the large guest bedroom--starting to sort through bins of fabric and sewing tools. Several projects vie for attention--we shall see what happens!
Oh Mary, I adore this post! What a wonderful storyteller you are. I'm so glad peace was restored and your dear mother could resume her sewing. The photo of you and your brother is priceless. So beautiful.
I can't imagine anything that is made today holding up to a little boy playing in the dirt with it. Why even toys are not made to last any more. I enjoyed reading your story. It took me back to sweeter times.
haha, I loved the story of the missing ruffler and how patient you mother must have been to know that it was a play thing at one time to be buried. Good thing you thought where it might be.! I also remember my mother constantly stitching away on things for everyone! Love your post!
Such a sweet and precious story about the ruffler! Love the photos as well!
I have never used that attachment but I should try! Great story of your family!
What a fun memory. My mom sewed a lot of clothes. I'm not the best at following directions, so it isn't my thing. Great photos.
Oh my goodness, my treadle sewing machine came with an identical attachment box! Unlike Tasha Tudor, however, I'm usually too pooped at the end of the day to put the time to sewing! I loved your story about the ruffler. What a childhood memory.
lovely pictures,so sweet. I wish I wish I wish I had the patience and attention to detail which sewing requires. I have a singer sewing machine which belonged to my mom.(50) I've made a few things on it, nothing fancy. I think if I had a permanent place for it, it would change how I feel about sewing. I crochet, it is portable. But if I had a craft room, I would sew more, and might actually get better at it. It even has the original box, with the different footers?/attachments. I had heard that the beeswax is good for threading needles and fishing lines. It is an amazing byproduct, of the honey making process. The good Lord provided all things in this way. I am working at the prices for these items in my shoppe. I have 6 large Roses, and 70+ mini's available. They are pretty just sitting in a cut glass bowl, and smell incredible.
Oh, the ruffler! It worked magic and was used to its fullest capability. My mother was talented at the sewing machine, as was my grandmother. Mother made my little twin sisters complete woolen dressup showsuits with spat leggins and bonnets of wool! She made my wedding dress. I never reached their capability but worked at it.
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