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I don’t know why I’m trying to figure out this sewing machine. I once managed to sew my finger doing something. I want to help but I have no talent. I think this is why I never got into star quilt making with my grandma. She was an artist when it came to star quilts.
...thread!
...thread!
For new followers, this is my Grandma Sarah. She was in the movie Thunderheart with Val Kilmer. And a few other people. You know how it is. Here’s a thread about the movie: https://twitter.com/aliwatson117/status/1041147084970385414
Grandma had an old Singer sewing machine. It was the size of a desk and it sat at the front window so she could watch traffic and outside while she worked. She made a few things, but star quilts were her specialty. (Image from google search)
Sitting in her living room, the hum of the machine, the quiet snip of scissors and the occasional ‘hm’ were the most comforting symphony. She had a surprising variety of fabric. Insofar as I know, Grandma made at least three star quilts for me. A baby, child, and teen sizes.
As a child, ma was firm that they needed to be stored and cared for. But when Grandma gave me a blanket in my teens, she was very pragmatic.
“Granddaughter, I’m giving you a blanket.”
“I’ll keep it safe.”
“It’s a blanket, granddaughter. It won’t keep you warm in a closet.”
“Granddaughter, I’m giving you a blanket.”
“I’ll keep it safe.”
“It’s a blanket, granddaughter. It won’t keep you warm in a closet.”
The blanket was in pink and blue tones and smaller than my twin bed. But Grandma said it was a blanket and so it went on my bed. Ma objected, but Grandma said!
Over the years, it faded from being washed. The hand sewn patterns Grandma made throughout began to break.
Over the years, it faded from being washed. The hand sewn patterns Grandma made throughout began to break.
We moved a lot when I was younger and eventually, the blanket was simply gone. My baby blanket stayed with me for a long time, but even that was gone.
I have a star quilt on my bed today, but I don’t know who made it. Battling this modern machine. Now I’m thinking of Grandma.
I have a star quilt on my bed today, but I don’t know who made it. Battling this modern machine. Now I’m thinking of Grandma.
After she passed, her house had been cleaned. The Singer sewing machine had been set out with some of the things that had been near it. But it rained for a couple of days and everything was ruined, including her photo for Thunderheart.
I wouldn’t have been able to take the machine even to store it. It was so large and impractical. Usually I’m not very sentimental, but this was -Grandma’s- machine, you know? She made so many star quilts with it. My heart broke to see it after the rains. Again just remembering.
Well that was a good cry. I might try again, but I think maybe hand sewing is safer for me lol.
