Tuesday, October 16, 2007

ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL OBJECT




Isn't this pretty? It was a gift from my friend Esmée whom I saw in Britain last week. And doesn't it look perfect sitting on Great Aunt Mabel's sewing machine in my hallway? I just had to bring the latter with me to Sicily and people here think the table belongs to it. It does not, however; the machine is not a treadle one. I saw the table the first week I was here and knew it was right for the machine. Part of the "Jones" label on the top of the machine got rubbed away over the years as Auntie used to insist on tying a piece of felt into which she would stick pins over it - such a pity. It still works but I can't sew to save my life! However, every time I pass the machine, I see Auntie sitting at it, working away.




Esmée's first question was, "What do you notice about fashion in Britain?" and I asked, "What's with all these waisted smocks?" for these ubiquitous items were the first that caught my eye in the fashion shops at Gatwick. "Oh, a fad for the young and thin, or at least it should be", replied my friend. I reflected that no Italian woman over a certain age and size would wear such an unflattering line. Esmée designs hats and wedding dresses, so her second question was, "Am I any nearer to being able to make the black wedding dress for your marriage to one of the 'Sicilian friends' ?" I think she will have to wait a while yet....

10 comments:

marymaryquitecontrary said...

WElchcakes: I love old sewing machines. I have a very old one that only does a chain stitch(no bobbin);one very similiar to yours,it is a Singer and a treadle one in the hallway. I love the sound they make. My sister once commented that it might be less expensive to buy a CD of one working. I love my new computer one too.

Crushed said...

I can just see you married to a Mafia Don, travelling down a rocky hillside in a Black Maria with a sunglassed escort.

Ellee Seymour said...

I used to have an old sewing maching like that, i never got used to the electric ones. And me, who loves the new media so much!

Liz Hinds said...

Oh, those 'maternity' tops! I wouldn't dare try one on. Apart from which they are so shapeless.

I had my great-aunt's machine - in fact it might still be up in the attic. I used it for curtains but that was back when I thought to be a good housewife I should do stuff like that. I hate sewing and, fortunately, now can afford to buy curtains!.

Lee said...

How sweet that is. Years ago I had an old treadle Singer and also an old American White Bros treadle machine...I have neither anymore...lots of water under many bridges since and now that I think of it, they could be still in storage at my ex-sister-in-laws! I must check that out!

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Hi, mm. How nice to know you love them, too! That'll be the day, Crushed! Ellee, I can work this one if I put my mind to it but I never got used to electric ones! I was terrified of my sewing teacher at school and I had been absent the day she taught the class to thread the things, so thereafter I just hid! I was too afraid to ask for help. - Couldn't happen now, I hope.
Ciao, Liz. Relieved you dislike them, too. Full of admiration that you made curtains at one time! Hi, Lee. You must check it out! Auguri a tutti.

jmb said...

I don't know if my comment came through or not since I got an error message.

A lovely little replica to go with you beautiful machine.
I inherited a treadle machine from my mother. It wasn't a particularly nice antique and too much trouble to bring back to Canada so I got rid of it for next to nothing.
I have had a computerized sewing machine for years so would never have used it.
If the other comment comes through just kill this one Welshcakes.
regards
jmb

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Hi, jmb. No, I didn't get the other comment. I don't think I could cope with a computerized sewing machine as well as a computer! Do you sew a lot?

Anonymous said...

I had a treadle and a hand machine in my time, never an electric one because I realised my talents at sewing were limited and went over to knitting - many a garment for my boys as they grew up - then cross stitch - until I could not see well enough. Your machine is fantastic, WL!

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Hi, Shirl. You can knit, too? I never could! Glad you like my machine.

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