"family"

Family Heirloom

Singer Sewing machine

A few weeks ago I was gifted a family heirloom. This is the END of the story. I don’t know the entire beginning yet, but I do know the middle.

For as long as I can remember this machine sat at my great aunt’s house on the farm just outside of Alvena, Saskatchewan. Before that it was at my great grandmother’s house, but I only have minimal memories of that home as she moved into care when I was around 10. It was her machine. My own mother can remember her grandmother stitching, the treadle pumping, in their little house in town.

For as long as my mom can remember the machine was due to come to her upon her grandmother’s death. Shortly after Baba Yuzak died, however, the machine seemed to disappear. No one knew where it was. For years we were convinced that another great aunt had it and there was bitterness. At the same time, on the farm, that particular great aunt was in the early stages of dementia.

It was only at the funeral of the great aunt towards which the bitterness had flowed that we learned the sewing machine had been at the farm the whole time. The whole time. For a while it was in the basement, then the garage. Both places my Mom never went when she visited the farm.

A few years later the great aunt on the farm passes away, a long life lived and family to keep her going. We won’t mention any associated drama, but her children did agree that my Mom should finally get her grandmother’s sewing machine. And my Mom decided that I, the long standing quilter in the family, should get it.

Now I need to clean it up, replace the belt, and figure out all that I can. I think it would be amazing to sew on a treadle machine! For now, it sits in a place of pride in my living room, the details making me smile. The history giving me chills. The women in its life giving me power.

Singer Sewing Machine
Singer Sewing Machine
Singer Sewing Machine

If anyone knows anything about these machines and can point out some less than obvious resources, I would appreciate it. I’m seeking anything right now.

And oh! Did I mention that the drawers were full of treats? That’s a whole other post. Lace under construction, trims, feet, thread on wooden spools…

One more thing, there are wheels on the cabinet! That is about as awesome as pockets in any dress.

Baba's Sewing Machine 4.jpg

Summering Part 2

Well, it turns out I was completely burnt out and I didn’t know it. Taking copious amounts of fresh air, friends, and family and the subsequent actual relaxation I felt made me realize that. Huh, who knew? Any quilting I did was because I wanted to or only to play. So before I totally jump back in to the chaos and and schedules now that the kids are back in school let me linger in summer a little bit longer.

Camping on the Sheep River with friends.

Camping on the Sheep River with friends.

Still tried to swim for exercise, back is improving.

Still tried to swim for exercise, back is improving.

Met and visited with Katja Marek at her gorgeous store in Kamloops.

Met and visited with Katja Marek at her gorgeous store in Kamloops.

Mount Robson, the start of our road trip.

Mount Robson, the start of our road trip.

Ferry rides.

Ferry rides.

In Cowichan Bay with the bioluminescent plankton after the sunset.

In Cowichan Bay with the bioluminescent plankton after the sunset.

Catching a winter supply of salmon.

Catching a winter supply of salmon.

Parksville beach. Those tides!

Parksville beach. Those tides!

Solitary morning walks.

Solitary morning walks.

Trying something new!

Trying something new!

My ballet boy at the Aga Khan Gardens.

My ballet boy at the Aga Khan Gardens.

The two projects I worked on it August.

The two projects I worked on it August.

I realize that sharing these is kind of like watching someone else’s slide show. But maybe I can share a deep breath with you and it can carry us all through the busy month ahead.

Summering

Like most self employed parents, summer is a twisted evil. Yay for free time! Oh crap, how am I going to get anything done? This year I’ve prioritized the family and the family business. Which has meant odd hours of working and as much play as we can fit in. It’s meant cabins and camping and fancy hotels. It’s meant friends and cousins and celebrating.

And only a little bit of quilting. I won’t lie, it’s been nice to take a break from the churn, from the need for More. Content. Now.

Morning Make with the kids, quilting when I can figure out my tempermental machine, hand stitching by the lake or on a plane, storm watching, getting our feet dirty, eating as many cherries as our bellies will hold, milkshakes in the afternoon.

Summer so far…

Johnston Canyon Lower Falls

Johnston Canyon Lower Falls

Castle Mountain

Castle Mountain

Sunset swim (plus moonlight and all the day swims)

Sunset swim (plus moonlight and all the day swims)

Best friends on the beach

Best friends on the beach

Euroa on the beach

Euroa on the beach

Vegas pool views

Vegas pool views

Actually went to Vegas to work (Woodworking tools trade show - a little bit bigger than Quilt Market)

Actually went to Vegas to work (Woodworking tools trade show - a little bit bigger than Quilt Market)

Plugging away at quilting this scrappy beauty

Plugging away at quilting this scrappy beauty

Here’s to summering where ever you are. Or wintering, for those in the Southern Hemisphere. Either way, let’s raise a glass to enjoying each day and prioritizing what is right for you right now.

Stowe Bag - for my Ballet Boy

Stowe Bag Grainline Studios

There is a Ballet Boy in my house. I often describe the same boy as awake or asleep. He’s never had grumpy, only happy or miserable. And he is almost never quiet if he is awake. A natural extrovert he loves to entertain and relishes a spotlight. He is almost perfect, but more than a little exhausting some days. So I was pleasantly surprised (and full of Mama pride) when my girls said they wanted to make him a bag for his ballet stuff as a Christmas present.

I picked the pattern - easy enough for them to sew but practical. The Stowe Bag from Grainline Studios is technically designed as a project bag, more for knitters. But it is just the right size for my Ballet Boy. And seemed to be an easy sew for the girls - with my supervision. They picked the fabrics. It was hard, I will admit, to let go of the green Marimekko but fabric has more value in use than on a shelf.

Granline Studios Stowe Bag

We made the bag in two sessions. I cut the fabric and they got everything prepped and the basics sewn. Then we finished off with the bias tape the next day. It was miraculously done in time for Christmas morning.

As expected the appreciation of the bag was lost on Christmas morning in the face of a Connor McDavid jersey and new Lego. But it’s been in steady use ever since. He takes it to each practice, it carrried his uniform to a gala event where he had a major solo, and it remains perfect in every way. Just like him.

The Blue Gala
Hattori Williamson Ballet

An aside: I could not recommend his ballet school any more highly. He is getting amazing opportunities, the families are wonderful, and his teachers - all former professionals - are incredible and kind.

Pattern notes:

We made the small size.

Pockets ended up being pointless. We did change the seaming to make more sense for things like holding his glasses case and slippers, but they just flop open. Would skip those next time.

We skipped steps 13 and 14 of the pattern because I mistakenly thought that was the bottom gusset creation which we determined we didn’t need. I might go back and do those steps.

Our bias tape is bigger than the pattern specifies. We were on a deadline and this one was in the stash, already made.