Thunderstorm tonight!
Hankster is here – picked him up at the kennel this morning – he was happy to see me!
First thing we did was go for a run in the field.
And you know he and Barney are great friends!
I was first introduced to butterpats by my friend Sally Babcock in Georgia. She collected them as a kid who tagged along with grandparents who were antique dealers. While the grandparents were shopping, Sally was given a quarter to go buy a butterpat. Here is her collection of 102 on shelves her grandfather made for display – with 18 more in a drawer. I love these sweet little dishes!
I picked hydrangeas today.
A reader suggested I ask the question – how and when did you start sewing/quilting? Here’s my answer:
As a kid I begged Mom to let me sew at the machine! But the cabinet was in the corner of the living room and it made a mess. She hated sewing. The first Christmas I was in an apartment she gave me a set of cookware – remember those pans with orange, avocado and gold mushrooms? Well, that’s what I got and I took them right back to the store and used the refund money to buy a portable Singer sewing machine! Haha!n I won that one!
The only instruction I ever had was as a 10 year old in 4-H my leader invited me to her house for an entire day and she helped me make a pink gingham gathered skirt. My grandmother then did chickenscratch embroidery around the bottom.
After my piano lesson on Saturday, I would go to the department store in Britt to look at dress patterns. I had a great imagination but my mom just didn’t see it. She wanted me to share her love of golfing. I didn’t want to golf – I wanted to sew! I’ll never forget when she went along to one of our Country Threads programs and afterwards she joked with the guests that she had “taught me all I knew” about quilting. Haha!!!
That’s my “start” story – let’s hear yours!
I love how Hank always spends time with Barney, when he visits. He really liked that ear of corn.
The butter pat collections are wonderful. They are small and beautiful; I think I would like collecting them.
I started sewing on my mom’s electrified treadle machine, as I had joined 4-H , when I was in Jr High. I did most of my adult sewing during the 70’s, when polyester double knit was available in crazy prints. I can’t believe some of the outfits I made. 😳 I still have my mom’s treadle cabinet with a Janome non-electric machine. I love it!
I started quilting around 1983. I had three kids and was working, so I wasn’t very productive. The first classes I took were all done by hand, so I mostly made pillows. I did make a 9-patch throw by hand. It was country blue and mauve-definitely the 80’s. Quilting was a real blessing during Covid.
Thanks, Mary 🥰
My mother, grandmothers, and most of the aunts sewed. I learned a lot by observation. I learned to sew clothing, first in 4H and later in home ec class. The first few years were on my mother’s treadle. In our first house, the sewing machine was in my bedroom. I made most of my clothes for a long time. More recently, I haven’t made clothing, but I’m thinking of trying it again.
My quilting interest started around age 10. When visiting my grandmother, she showed me some quilt tops. One was pieced by my great grandmother, and another by her neighbor. The third was 4 patches with sashing; my dad and his brother pieced the 4 patches as boys, and my grandmother added the sashing later. These 3 quilt tops pieced between 1925 and 1950 were quilted in the early 1980’s by my mother and her friends. I now have them as well as others.
I started my own quilting in the mid 1980’s. It was off and on, until about 12 years ago when it became much more often. I don’t sew every day, but at least a couple days per week.
Mary, my sewing experience is similar to yours. Our sewing machine sat in the corner of the living room & my mother used it only for mending. She hated sewing & she had no patience to teach me anything. My grandmother was a quilter & she taught me to knit & crochet. After I was married my mother in law passed on her Singer featherweight. This was a wedding gift to her from her mother in 1946. I used that little machine to sew curtains, slipcovers & clothes for my daughters. Then I joined a quilt guild & my quilt journey began. That little featherweight is still going strong but I updated to a Pfaff many years ago. It was so interesting to read about the road we all traveled to end up as quilters.
Collectively these stories illustrate initiative and resilience. Mother sewed a lot of our dresses and left a big hem for growth spurts. She really did not make a quilt until over age 60. Grandmother crocheted. Both my sister and I sew regularly. Early on along with a few dresses sewed many pairs of pants and remember not getting the straight of grain just right on one pair the the leg twisted too much down to the ankle. There was good improvement as a drill team uniform in corduroy came together well. Always liked hand stitching binding. What a great way it has been to pass the time.
Mary, I commented earlier today but neglected to tell you that the photos of the barn and clouds are stunning as are the pictures of your porch that you posted earlier this week.
I have looked at them several times. Thank you for sharing them.
Mary love the evening pictures of the farm. We had storms starting about 9:30 last night with wind, lightning and almost 2 inches of rain. Looks like the dogs had a fun time together. So nice they get to play together.
Thanks to all who shared their stories of when they started sewing. My mom was not much into sewing garments but was always busy with mending for our family of thirteen. 6 boys and 5 girls. I was seventh in the family.
I probably really started sewing for myself in 8th grade for a semester and then in 9th grade. Made a lot of my own clothes and then sewed for my two daughters till they wanted store bought clothes. I remember that in ninth grade I was on a work program and worked during my study hall cleaning the HOME EC room, dusting and sweeping the floors. I would work quickly and then work on my projects so I could make more clothes for myself. My first quilting project was two small 12 in table toppers cut out by scissors. One was Amish bars and the other was appliqué with hearts. I still have them. I did a lot of other crafts but quilting is still the best.
Rita – wow, what a story of beginning!! When we were in 8th grade everybody took a quarter of home ec, shop, typing and art- boys and girls both! It wa good for all of us.
I learned to sew in 4-H from my grandma. She wanted things to be perfect, but had a way of making you think that perfection was your idea. I made a lot of clothes for myself and made western cowboy shirts for my brother. My mom made the guys in the family dress suits, including pants, vest and jacket – wow, it seems really amazing to write that now. I started quilting in the mid 90’s and have made very few clothes since.
Diane – as a quilter I’m trying to imagine making a three piece suit!!!
Had never heard of butterpats. That is quite a collection she has. Not sure I have seen any or maybe I have, but didn’t know. Thanks.
I was a 4H kid, too. My older sister was in a 4H group taught by my grandmother. Mom sent me along and I learned to make an apron. Mom had 3 girls and if we wanted new clothes, she told us we had to make them ourselves. In the 90’s I made my first quilt and the rest is history.
Janet – if your mom said that, where did you find fabric and who paid for the fabric?
My Mom’s best friend, Cheryl, spent a lot of time at our house when I was a kid. She and my Mom would spend hours on Sundays sitting on the living room floor playing Scrabble on the coffee table. Cheryl is an extremely talented woman and we did many crafty things over the years. When I was 7-years old, she would pick me up Tuesday evening and bring me to her house. She taught me to sew on her Singer sewing machine. My first project was a 3 foot square floor pillow! She wanted to chose something easy just to familiarize me with the machine and measuring, cutting and ironing. I was so proud of that pillow! My next project was a jumper and blouse and I wore that thing until it was nothing but threads. I didn’t get into sewing by myself until I was married and had children. I made curtains for our house and dresses for my girls for every holiday.
Self taught, all the way. I used my mothers machine to sew – clothing for me…she didn’t use it! I went to Australia for a year as an exchange student & I took sewing. The instructor asked me why since I obviously knew how to sew — my response was “I need an easy class!”. For my project I sewed a wool jacket and matching skirt in soft plaids (and yes, I matched the patterns). I wore that suit when I returned back to America. Hubby & I married less than 4 months after I came back. He bought me a used machine which I used when we bought our first home & I was pregnant with first child – that was 19 months later. I made a quilt for the twin bed in the nursery, a quilt for the crib and the window curtains. We didn’t have a lot of money, so when we bought furniture it was used – and my great aunt gave us her upholstered rocker. We took an upholstery class for that – the only class we took in our married life. Later we bought furniture at auctions and repaired as needed to sell in our antique spots in 2 locations. This was in addition for our full-time jobs. It was great experience for the kids – they learned how to refinish furniture, how to sell & how to handle difficult customers as they worked in the shops, too. Difficult customers were nearly always other antique dealers who tried to wheedle down prices – our daughter was the most adept at handling that! Our son sold what he bought & made some money. Here I am now, nearly 52 years after we married and I am in the quilt room nearly every day now – still loving it!
My mother and grandmother had always sewn and quilted. Neither used paper patterns. All their quilts were tied but I remember grandma made a quilt from silky scraps and the entire quilt was featherstitched/quilted on all the seams. I learned on the treadle sewing squares when I was five. My older brother had already been sewing squares. When mom got an electric machine-he could use it and we raced sewing blocks. I started sewing clothes for myself around 4-5th grade and was making all my own clothes before high school. I had been cooking all along, making homemade biscuits since 7. In high school, I wanted to take shop since I could cook and sew but they wouldn’t let girls. The skirt that was supposed to take weeks, I finished in 2 days. I made my first quilt, tied when I was around 12. I made clothes for my kids and grandchildren along with formals and bridesmaid dresses for other people. I mostly make quilts and household items along with pillowcases, stockings and other items for local charities and also belong to Quilts of Valor and four quilt guilds. I am also the curator of a large fabric collection!
Have loved reading everyone’s sewing stories and the barn and cloud pictures are absolutely beautiful! I love the flag on the barn and even though I know it is painted correctly it still looks backward to me. Thanks so much Mary for our online neighborhood!
That Hankster gives me the giggles. He causes me to remember all the antics my Goldens have pulled in the past. Jessie walked backwards up the stairs, Molly still gets mail, phone calls, discount cards from Perkins, invitations to dinners selling everything from insulation to funeral plans! So many memories.
Thanks for the education on butter pats. I’ve seen them at antique stores but thought they were spoon holders for tea. They are beautiful.
Those storm clouds look like a lot of rain. We are getting rain 👏👏👏👏👏.
I gave my sewing/quilting journey in the other post. No need to bore you with more.
Jo – haha! You would never bore me! I have loved reading these stories from readers! And I didn’t know you had goldens in the past.
Love the pictures today. Hank with the cob of corn in his mouth is a hoot!
I don’t remember when I learned to sew. My mom’s best friend was a norwegian lady we called ‘Auntie’ even though we weren’t related. She taught me all the needle arts by hand. One day my mother was out. She probably left my 3 older brothers to watch me, so they would have been outside playing. I got into mom’s fabric and decided I knew enough about her Kenmore to make myself a little sleeveless shirt, which I was wearing when she got home. This was before I started school. Mom was glad. She preferred knitting. I did all the sewing and mending for the family after that. I mended a lot of jeans that those boys tore jumping over barbed wire fences!
Colleen – loved the story of the sleeveless blouse!
Getting caught up here, so I’ll address three items. Butter pat plates, love the idea for tea bags. I might actually have inherited a few and didn’t know their original purpose. Country Threads look. . . necessity is the mother of invention. Mary and Connie were going to find a way to economically make material purchases work. And, boy did it – creating their own “look” as a plus. I just acquired another tool to better select a color wave for scrappy patterns. Thank you for sharing, Mary! Home Ec and Shop not often much anymore in school? Well, sometimes education rolls with the trends coupled with financial restraints. Creative arts (i.e. Shop, Art, Home Ec, Music, Dance) have often gotten lost in the shuffle of budget cuts. Which is a shame, as some students really get their chance to shine in those areas,
Both my mother and her sister were excellent seamstresses. Many clothes were made for me by those two gals. Each gave me instruction in sewing small projects. My first item of clothing was made in 7th grade Home Ec, an A-line skirt with a front pleat. 8th grade Home Ec I made my first dress, empire style. I still have a 5″ x 5″ inch square of that material. Freshman year In high school Home Ec I made a jumper. From then my sewing involved some clothes for myself, and later for my girls when they were young. (I wish I still had the dark green, black and white plaid wool jacket, with dark green lining I made in my twenties.) House decor items also became part of my sewing skills – curtains, placemats, tablecloths, throw pillow covers, aprons and scarves to go around my granddog’s collar. A few years before retiring I knew I needed to have something planned for a creative outlet – quilting fit the bill. Inspired by quilts I have from both grandmothers, my aunt and mother, it seemed a calling to continue the tradition. My biggest learning curve was learning that quilting is EXACT, whereas the sewing done up to that point allowed some fudging. The best part is that I continue to learn. Practice makes less ripped out seams.
Thanks for all the various stories, readers. 🙂 Mary, thanks for your blog which allows us to do so.
Jan
I learned to sew on my Mom’s treadle Singer when I was about 9. She was her own lined suits for church and sewed most of her own and my clothes when I was little. I started by sewing doll clothes. Eventually she got a Kenmore sewing machine. Home Ec when I was in school including cooking, sewing and knitting. I wanted to learn how to sew my own clothes but my Mom told me to learn in Home Ec class the “right way”. LOL first project was a straight skirt with a zipper. I was probably the only one that took three tries before that zipper was in right and to my teachers satisfaction and probably her relief lol. I didn better with knitting as my Mom’s mother taught me how to knit and crochet when I was 5. She hated sewing anything so not sure how my Mom learned – probably home ec lol. I made a lot of my clothes in high school and college. And made my first quilt when I was a freshman as it winter was a seriously cold and snowing season where I was. I inherited my mother’s Kenmore which my brother kept workable. But the first thing I bought with a paycheck from my college job was a heavy all metal Singer in a portable case and I used that for my first quilt. Bought fabric from dime store and Montgomery Wards – cheap and pretty ugly. Made of simple squares and tied but kept me warm through the winter. Bicentennial brought quilting front and center and I have been quilting since college. Am inn my 70s now – belong to a guild and do a lot of quilts for donation to good causes and a lot of my quilts have gone to family and friends. Thankful to still be able to make quilts and hand quilt.
The cloud pictures and your barn at night are beautiful! It’s been fun reading everyone’s sewing/quilting/crafting stories. I started making doll clothes by hand (very primitive ones!) when quite young. Then I had a battery operated toy sewing machine that just did a chain stitch. I was in seventh heaven! My mom had a black Singer in a cabinet that I learned to sew on – I still have it. I didn’t like sewing in home-ec in high school because, like Jan P, the teacher wouldn’t let me use all the short cuts I knew and it was just tedious. I received an Elna sewing machine for graduation and went on to make most of my own clothes and then, when married, made my husband’s shirts. I took my first quilt class in 1975 and was hooked. That was a little before the rotary cutter was being used so everything was done by hand with cardboard templates and scissors. Along the way, I cross stitched a lot and tried other crafts before settling on quilting because I couldn’t do it all and work, keep house, etc. I took a miniature quilt class and took off with that – even having some published in the Miniature Quilts magazine and a book! These days, I go into withdrawals if I can’t spend time in my sewing room!
I just love the butter pats and the gorgeous displays. I’ve never known to look for them but I will now. I learned sewing basics in home ec but didn’t do much with it until I took another class when my kids were in preschool. I learned t make kid’s clothing, learned to make smocked dresses, and finally started quilting after my daughter wouldn’t wear mom made clothing anymore. She’s in college now and has requested a quilt coat, so I’m trying to make her happy. Im trying to start making baby clothes for grandma’s closet in hopes of grand babies!
My Grandma immigrated from Denmark in 1922 where she had worked in a tailor shop making men’s suits. In the U.S. she did alterations in her home on her treadle machine, the only one she ever owned. Of course, she made her own clothes and so did my Mom and Aunts so I’ve been around sewing all my life. Mom let me sew on her New Home electric machine when I was 7 or 8. I remember making sleeping bags for dolls. Her only advice was “keep your fingers away from the needle”.
I made my prom dresses and clothes in high school. I sewed the bridesmaid dresses when I was married and clothes for our kids and myself. I especially liked making blazers (with lining and shoulder pads) which I wore to work. My parents granted me my wish of a Singer machine for high school graduation in 1965. I used it for 55 years, never had it to the repair shop even once. I kept it clean and oiled until it began giving me little shocks so I bought a new Phaff. I stopped sewing garments and began quilting 10 years ago.
A grandson brought a girlfriend to our house and asked if I could shorten a pair of pants for her. With my guidance, she did it herself. We also made some potholders for practice. Later they parted ways and she sent me a thank you for what she learned from me.
I bought my Aunt’s white Featherweight from her estate and since then I’ve bought 2 more black ones. I now have one from the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s. Looking to find one from the 30’s then I’ll have every decade covered. Ha.
I sew every day – at least a little and can’t imagine life without sewing. Thank you to the women in my life for setting these examples.
NJ – THANK YOU! I loved this background story and I know my readers will, too. You really do have a sewing background – unlike me. Although MOM’s Aunt Amy sewed, kitted, made rugs, quilts, etc – thus the book Quilts From Aunt Amy – although I was too young to be interested.
In home ec our teacher said we had to hand tie the beginning and ending of all our seams. That seemed ridiculous when you could go back and forth with the machine for a tighter knot.
No one in my family sewed but when I was in high school I asked my mother if I could have a sewing machine. She bought me an inexpensive Singer and I was hooked even though I was completely self taught and the first thing I made was a horrible dress. Several years later my husband and I were both in the Army and stationed in Germany. The first Christmas there he bought me a Pfaff sewing machine which I had for twenty-five years because I wasn’t able to bring my machine with us and I couldn’t face three years without a sewing machine lol! I sewed slipcovers, curtains, baby toys, maternity clothes, all kinds of things. Fast forward to the 1980’s when I was introduced to quilting and that has been my main focus ever since. My two daughters have no interest in sewing but I taught my two granddaughters to sew this summer so there is some hope the sewing gene will survive!
My question is ,why did they take home ec from schools. Everyone needs to at least know how to hem or sew a button on. I can’t remember a time that I did not sew. My parents didn’t sew but we had an electric sewing machine . I made all my clothes in high school, even a prom dress. There were mistakes but I didn’t care. I wore them proudly. I still make some clothes but with cheap clothes ,I usually just mend.
Love the pictures of the barn with the clouds.
I don’t know when Home Ec was deleted from school, but one of the skills I taught in jail was sewing on buttons and hemming jeans. One of “my girls” told me she could fix her kids clothes rather than shoplifting new ones!!!
My mother made some of my clothes on a converted treadle machjne. Weeks before she died when I was 8, she had bought a brand new Singer in a cabinet. It sat unused until I took sewing in junior high. I made some clothes for me and our daughters when they were young, but once I started teaching, the only sewing was mending. When our first grandson arrived twenty years ago, I made my first quilt. I soon discovered Country Threads charm school books and the monthly charm
club. My husband probably wishes I had taken cooking in junior high.
Loved the thunderstorm photos. We did not get the storms although the sky was lit up from the distant lightening. One loud rumble of thunder! We got rain though.
Loved all the photos. They make me smile.
I learned to sew at young age in Girl Scouts and some from my mother although she had no patience with me. I think I had no patience with myself as I just wanted to be outside. But I made my own clothes in high school. I made a l lot of my kids’ clothes. Then I I had always loved quilts. So it’s natural to have more time as they grew up and then hubby retired so I resigned from working outside the home. Then my story of quilting began. Been doing it now over 25 yrs. No plans on quitting!
It’s sew day at my house today. It might be alone if no one shows up. I finished binding a quilt last night. Only 5 more need binding sewed down!
Sweet memories! I love all the learning to sew stories!
I love your sewing story! My grandmother made all of our clothes. (My mother made some too but she was a busy farm wife.) When my sister and I were around 8 and 9 years old, my grandmother bought a bath towel with big yellow roses, matching washcloths and yellow fabric. She cut the towel in half. She taught us to sew the washcloth on the towel to make pockets. Then we made a band from the yellow fabric and sewed to the towel cut edge to make ties. We ended up with 2 aprons…our 1st sewing project.
As a child, I wanted store bought clothes but by the time I was in high school, I loved garment making and made all of my clothes.
In our home we always had a treadle machine which sat under the wall mounted phone and kept pencil and paper handy for note taking! Mom absolutely did not sew! But I was curious and inspired by my grandma who did everything with fabric. Around 8 yrs my dad opened the machine and gave me instructions how to thread it, and to remember it only works in one direction. I made very crude doll clothes and hemmed tired dish towels…but on one long stretch got my left index finger too close and impaled my finger! The Huntley Brinkley news was on. I waited until a commercial then called dad to come help me. He always had his pliers, so calmly removed the needle from the machine, distracted me, and quickly yanked the needle out. All during a commercial break! In 9th grade I took home ec and made a jumper but more importantly was mentored by a teacher who was a lifelong friend. Petting fabric remains a pleasure.
Oh, yes. I know what it is to “pet” fabric. That is a special treat.
Hi Mary,
I remember begging my mother to teach me how to sew, also. She made all of our clothes and had sewn since she was very young. She wanted me to learn to cook! I was not the least bit interested – I just wanted to sew. She finally gave in and taught me. Don’t remember what I made, but do remember taking home ec in high school. I got into trouble because I used the shortcuts my mother taught me and that was not allowed!!! Really!!!!! All of these many, many years later, I still definitely don’t like to cook, but I am a prolific quilter – especially since I retired! Love your blog and all the pet and plant stories!!! Jan P from Cosby, TN
The pictures of Hank are so darling! Hank with his corn cob “pipe!”
The stories from your readers about how they learned to sew/quilt are all so sweet! Thank you for sharing your story and asking about others’ beginnings.
I was newly married and really wanted to learn to sew, having never learned anything domestic from my mother. I bought a Kenmore machine, (I still have that marvelous machine!) a pattern, and figured it couldn’t be too hard. I finished my first shirt and skirt and would never have worn it in public – it was awful! Fortunately, I went on to learn sewing and made all of my girls’ dresses and even made myself a lined, wool suit. A neighbor asked me if I’d like to go to a quilting class, and I fell in love with it from the first class. We did everything with scissors, pencil, needle, and thread, doing all of the piecing and quilting by hand. Rotary cutters weren’t a thing then. I still love to hand quilt antique/vintage quilt tops.
My biggest joy with quilting was quilting with friends – laughing, sharing ideas, and making quilts for charity. We just disbanded due to health reasons, but they are still my dearest friends, and I’m so grateful for them and all they taught me.
I leaned from making Barbie doll clothes with my grandma. Home Ec class inspired me to sew clothes and thankfully I had a mom who encouraged it. My grandma bought us a sewing machine which I still have – turquoise Singer in a cabinet.
It will be fun coming back to read the comments throughout the day. It’s so interesting seeing how each of us got our start in sewing. And now we each sew for different reasons still.
I started sewing at around 4 when we moved into the big house. Mom gave me scraps to sew on my little crank machine, and my grandma across the street, let me learn on her treadle. Mom sewed most of her own clothes, and about 1/2 of mine. Remember when you could mail in a label to Wright Sewing Notions, and they would send you a bag of trims? Got my first Kenmore for Christmas when I was 8. We had a little variety store by the state fairgrounds called Vividan’s that sold fabric, notions and patterns.
Sewed many of my own clothes all through high school. The quilting bug hit in the early 80’s when I worked at Northwest Fabrics before I had kids. ad lots of time on my hands. Some of my best memories. My mom worked full time, I had a sickly brother and spent most of my time at grandma’ so I credit her with most of my ability.
Thought of you when the weather guy broke in and showed the radar over northern Iowa. We had 1/2″ after we went to bed.
Finishing my niece’s wedding quilt this morning. Be glad to get that one out of here! IT’s taking sooo long!!
I learned to sew on a treadle that my mother bought from a friend. The machine had belonged to the friends mother but the friend had dementia and wanted to sell it for $10.
In jr high home ec I made a gathered skirt and from there made most of my own clothes. I loved looking through pattern books. At different times I made a winter coat, a swim suit, many dresses including prom dress snd my wedding dress- all on that treadle machine.
After I was married I developed an interest in quilting and never looked back. Now my husband quilts too. We each have our own Featherweight and several other machines.
Love reading your blog and look forward to it every day.
Forgot to add that my twin 9 year old grandsons are learning to sew with me. We’ve made several projects on the machine and learned to sew on buttons by hand.
My mother was an excellent seamstress, and she sewed clothes for the six of us kids. I was in
Home Ec in school, but never enjoyed what we were to make in sewing class. I sewed a little at home, but when my mother had yellow jaundice while I was in college, I wanted some pedal pushers and other things, so learned on my own how to follow a pattern and sew. After I was married I sewed clothes for our son and daughter when they were small. When they were ready for a big bed, I made my first quilts for each of their beds—-a nine patch, the pattern from the magazine “Farm Wife News.” I still sewed a lot for my daughter, but didn’t get hooked on quilting until later, but now it is a part of my life almost every day. I, too, enjoy making scrappy quilts and give most away to charities.
I forgot to say that I learned to sew on a treadle machine, and didn’t have an electric sewing machine until after I got married. My husband was kind enough to buy me a Kenmore sewing machine. They were great machines. I had two of them in my early years of sewing.
I first sewed on my grandmother’s treadle sewing machine when I was a little girl. My mother didn’t have a sewing machine until I was in High school. I learned to make some clothes in Home Economics, but I wasn’t very good. I’m like Pamela, I was much better at straight lines. I bought my first sewing machine during my first year of marriage that was an old Singer with the molded wooden cover. It was a portable with no back stitching. I made shower curtains, curtains, lined drapes. After I retired I had to have something to occupy my time. Quilting fit the bill. I like making scrappy quilts, and string quilts in particular.
As a little girl, my mother would let me sew buttons in a string as she sewed at the treadle machine. She was a fantastic seamstress and would go to the BIG city of Cedar Rapids (an hour away) to shop and get ideas.
Then she game home with her sketch book and sewed lovely garments.
She was our 4-H leader and a great teacher for many girls. The name of our club was “THE GOLDEN GIRLS.”
Our church was called Golden Congregational, thus the name. We preceded the TV Golden Girls TV show!
We won many ribbons at the county and state fair.
Because of the Extension program, I was introduced to Iowa State University and got a double major there In Home Economics and Applied Art. I also met my wonderful Aerospace husband there. After graduation, Boeing moved us from Iowa to Seattle. I worked for the Washington State Extension service 4-H program, teaching children and their leaders. I am still thankful for the opportunities I had as a child and spend my retirement sewing and quilting.😊
Vicki, I too worked for Cooperative Extension in the 4-H youth division. Cornell was our university base. Before I left I got Cloverbuds up and running for 5 year olds based on a Michigan state program.
Kathy, I love that children under 10 can join a club. They are so eager and interested. Thanks to you for getting Cloverbuds up and running!
I have many good 4-H memories!💚
Vicki, so do I have some good memories of working with the leaders and youth! It was controversial when I wanted to test our county for the 5 yr olds program. Age limit was always 7 yrs old to join 4-H. There was nothing wrong with introducing them at that age to public speaking, pet care, simple woodworking tools, and crafts. I believe most of the clubs now in our area are for horses and livestock. We don’t even have a county fair for judging any longer.
I learned to sew sitting at my grandmother’s treadle machine. Wish I had a picture of it now. My mom was a home economics teacher so of course sewing was important for her children too. When we visited my grandmother I would always ask to sit at her machine. My grandfather worked in the fabric department in a store in Charlottesville, Va. so there was always fabric available. As I got a bit older my father told my sister and I he would not pay for for ready made clothes but would buy all the material we needed to make out own.
I used to collect butter pats too but recently sold them in my antique shop to an avid collector.
Good morning all. For me, sewing was always an interest. My mother didn’t teach me but she did have a machine so I fiddled with that. In junior high, I loved the sewing classes. If memory serves, we made skirts in eighth grade and our teacher had me put in everyone’s buttonhole . Remember, those were the days when you had to attach a gadget to the machine and line everything up just so. After that a lot of clothes were made. Somewhere in the 70’s & 80’s, more quilting fabric became available and I was hooked from then on. It’s a hobby I still enjoy as much as ever.
Mary, love your picture of your house at night.
Believe it or not – those vintage mushroom plates and canister sets are back in vague, a sought after item.
That first picture of your barn is beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Michele – I know they are but this is just like when I started collecting antique wooden chairs. My mom said they used to burn them when she was young – what goes around comes around! Haha!
My mom was a dabbler in sewing. She’d sew our Easter dresses and do a little crochet. I still love crochet, hated making clothes in home ech, but quilting intrigued me. Straight lines, I could do that, gathering with women with same interests, an outlet for my creative side, and great therapy! Besides my new hubby got me my first machine and I was smitten! Here I am almost 45 years later, with a stash and sewing machines and gadgets that at times could rival a LQS! Wouldn’t have it any other way!
My first time with a needle was in brownies in 3rd grade. We made bleach bottle purses with fabric sewed to the top, I was so proud. That led to embroidered dish towels that are too precious to use. Then I saw the Waltons episode where MaryEllen is getting a quilt made by Grandma and friends and that was it. I used my Mom’s featherweight and made a small baby quilt with embroidered nursery rhyme blocks. I was hooked. Clothes I made were mainly in high school. I know I have spent way too much on my fabric stash and have more than enough till the end of my time. It’s so hard to resist new fabric and also rescuing scraps others discarded. I love string piecing and scrappy quilts the most. 😻 I have a nice Janome 6600 but enjoy sewing on my featherweight the most.
My mom was an excellent seamstress and made anything special I wanted usually without a pattern. I was not interested enough to learn how to sew.
Then in 1995 I took a beginner quilt class from Country Threads – a small log cabin quilt that we finished by hand quilting. It was learning from picking out fabrics, cutting, piecing, to quilting. That class was the beginning of my obsession with making “Country Threads” style quilts – dark and primitive to go with my many antiques. Thanks to Country Threads for introducing me to my quilting passion.
I’ll be moving my plants inside sometime this week or next. This week we’re having carpeting replaced in a major portion of our house. What a job!!! At least my Fall cleaning will be done. Happy Fall everyone.
Gloria – I can’t imagine the upheaval in your house to lay new carpet!!! I remember Beginning Quilting classes! Can’t believe we covered that much! I suppose you’re too busy with your house right now to be sewing. Mt plants certainly could have been outside longer except I wouldn’t have been able to move them inside. How’s your back??? Here’s a hug for Caitlin! Fever game tonight!
It has been a nightmare. The guy laying the carpet has been helping to move the heavy furniture which is a blessing. We’re getting too old for this! Can’t wait for this to be finished.
Definitely will be glued to the Fever game tonight. The last game was awesome. I feel sorry for Caitlin but like I told you, there will be something happening after the playoffs are finished and it will rock the WNBA world.
You call beer “iced tea” what shall we call a mixed drink? I’ve had two tonight – I’m so stressed out with the turmoil in our house. Go Fever!
Lemonade.
Gloria – so how long has this carpet laying process been going on? I don’t know how you got so lucky as to find a carpet layer who would also move furniture!!! Yes, it would take me at least 2 ice teas! Haha!!! And how’s your back? All ok?
He will be here for a week plus. We’ve been using Mason City Tile for years and are extremely happy with them. If you ever need carpet or tile don’t hesitate to use them.
My last PT for my shoulder is tomorrow – 5 months of PT and it’s still not 100%, but it’s close. I’m going to exercise on my own for 3 weeks then go back to make sure I’m still making progress in their eyes.
Gloria – good news about your shoulder!! Won’t you be glad to quit going to PT?
Gloria – what in the world will shake the WNBA world????
I’ll text it to you.
Gloria – are you thinking Caitlin will throw in the towel completely? I’m not sure I’d blame her. I feel so bad for her.
not sure about the exact age but know it was before first grade. When i could sit on my own wooden chair and my legs were long enough to reach the pedal on the treadle machine, my mother let me sew without thread on the lines she had drawn on paper so i could learn to sew on the lines. Doing this well meant I was ready to really learn threading the machine and filling a bobbin. Since then there are not many items i have not attempted to sew. This past weekend i finished a lined bag with exterior and an interior zipped bag for my walker.
My mother made the most beautiful clothes, slipcovers, drapes, pillows, braided wool carpets, etc. She loved sewing but not teaching. I took my first sewing class in 1966 at the Singer Sewing Store when I was 13. I made a dress, then a couple swimsuits. I didn’t take up sewing again until 2006, when I lost my sister. I needed something constructive to do and my good friend, who is an amazing quilter, said I could totally learn how to make quilts. I started taking classes that spring in 2006 and it took. Currently planning baby quilts for two grandnephews on the way. Hopefully I’ll get a fall and a Christmas quilts done too.
My aunt found out I was trying to make clothes without a pattern. She sent me to Singer Sewing lessons when I was 12. Best gift ever! I sewed all my clothes after that. I made two dresses in those classes. When I was home on maternity leave in 1972 I had a magazine with an article on quilting. There were two patterns, Sunbonnet Sue and Sailboat. I made both and was hooked. Our library had only two ancient books on quilting. I have made hundreds of quilts, most donated since my family has all they want. (I did give up dressmaking when I started quilting).
When I was about 8 I was given a printed panel of Barbie doll clothes. I cut them out and hand stitched them together. Then in 4-H I sewed a jumper. From there I advanced my sewing skills through all the 4-H levels. The first time I made a quilt was in a craft college class (it was tied). I’ve been sewing decor items, clothes, and quilts since.
I start sewing the basics in 4H. My mother taught me and my sisters garment sewing. Did that for several years and then I really got interested in quilting.
I am 77 and I sew everyday and love it.I taught my daughter to make quilt and working with my granddaughter now . I also enjoy machine and hand embroidery and counted cross stitch.
Enjoy the fall!
Hi Mary, l started sewing at 12 in high school, my mother made suits for the sewing teacher ,but had no patience to teach us to sew! Made all my clothes and for the boys, then at 40 went to craft lessons, thought it was lined baskets etc,but was patch work. By the second lesson l was hooked! Now ir is an obsession! Take care everyone, best wishes from Sandy