This morning Vince and I were talking about sewing machines. The conversation started because I was telling him about not being able to find elastic and about people sewing the masks.
Vince: Think how many people don’t even have sewing machines.
Me: Not in my word. Almost everyone I know has a sewing machine.
Vince: But there used to be sewing machine ads and sewing machines shops. Everyone’s mom had a sewing machine.
Several things about that short conversation were interesting.
Even though there are many of us who own sewing machines, there are many who do not. Back in my grandma’s day, and even when I was a child, almost all our clothes were homemade. I remember getting my first storebought dress! People made their own curtains. When we built a house in 1987, I made a lot of the curtains and enjoyed making them. I probably haven’t made curtains since then. I do remember my grandma having a chenille bedspread that was storebought but mostly it was handmade quilts on their beds.
Of course quilt magazines have sewing machine ads but are the ads in magazines such as Women’s Day, Good Housekeeping, etc.? Heck, I don’t even know if those magazines are still around.
I have fond memories of the shops that sold fabric when I was growing up. There was a little shop in my hometown, Fran Jan. I think the shop was named after two sisters. It was a tiny little shop and it was right on the edge of a railroad track. I remember how it felt standing in the shop when a train came through. There was a shop in town – Bailey’s. They sold fabric, appliances and I’m not sure what else. The owners actually lived in our little town and I went to school with their kids. I’m Facebook friends even now with one of the daughters. There was TG&Y, a dime store that had fabric. My love for fabric and all things crafty started at a young age.
All of this reminiscing makes me wonder . . 60 years from now, what will Addie remember about her childhood? I hope there will be some fond memories of sewing, knitting and cooking with Granny.
Linda in NE says
Back in the day there was a TG&Y in a larger town 25mi. from here. I still miss that store!! Some of my grandkids will probably remember the year school let out for the year in March.
Vicky says
What good memories. Remember when Sears had a fabric counter? When my grandsons were little and they first saw me sewing on a machine they stood back, pointed and said “what is that?” I never could get my daughter interested in sewing. But I still have hope.
During my working years I always made each mom-to-be at work a baby quilt and some bibs. Every single one of them said they wished they’d learned to sew. Even though my mom and grandma sewed, I really attribute my love for sewing to my Home-Ec teachers. It was my favorite class of the day.
Claudia says
My dad worked for Sears, everything we owned came from Sears for years. When I was in high school, there was a larger fabric shop in town and I was always so jealous of my friends who could shop there! My mom finally broke down and took me there. Even she couldn’t resist the bigger selection, not that Sears didn’t have nice fabric, the other place just had more and more variety.
Patti says
I worked at T. G. & Y. My high school job! One year after I married I went back at Christmas time. I loved working there. I fondly remember the .55 cent matchbox cars, the flatfold fabrics, the baskets of cards of buttons, the .10 cent zippers, and on and on. I’d go back in a heart beat. The gentleman who was the manager there, just passed away this January.
Nelle Coursey says
My daddy was always happy to buy me material and patterns. We had one store where you could get Simplicity Patterns for 25 cents and the good material was sometimes on sale for $1 a yard. It was not hard to get enough material to make anything I wanted. Zippers were 10 cents and I think buttons were 6 on a card for about 10 cents as well. Good memories. I made all my school clothes. No one else had clothes like mine and that made me proud!
Diana G says
Oh my…Does anyone remember when Kmart had a fabric area ? The one I worked at years ago, had one next to the Cafeteria at the back of the store. It was my first job out of high school and I loved it but there was an HR boss that was a very mean woman . I saw her years later at a Hancock’s store and she remembered me and was just as rude then as she was when she was when she then.
Duckwalls Five & Dime – boy do I remember those … Thanks for the memories !!
Shari says
We had a K-mart like that, too. I remember they had Cokes with a little more syrup than other places and I would beg for a Coke every time we went. They also had a deli in the front that had the best ham for sandwiches. Fun memories.
Sandy says
I remember getting my first store-bought dress for 6th grade graduation! Mom made all the others on her sewing machine from Sears.
Claudia says
Went to visit my cousin. When we went to the local quilt shop for me to check it out, she found one of those aprons printed on fabric she liked. I told her to get it. She said she didn’t have a sewing machine. I said, “I do!” I have a machine in the back of my car all the time, never know when I’m going to need it! She thought that was the funniest thing. But, she got her apron!
Laura says
I remember the J.C. Penney not far from our house had fabric.
Dar in NC says
YES!! In 7th grade my Home Ec class did a field trip to the local JCP; the project was a half slip. I chose a solid pink! cotton for mine with lace edging. I still remember the notions and the cutting counter, fabric bolts all lined up… Got an A- because I didn’t start the trim at the side seam. Bummer. My only A-…. LOL Thanks for the memory jog! 😀
Sharon Downey says
There is a sewing machine repair shop in the town nearest to me. The repairman knows that I have two machines and have sewed for quilts of valor. He tries to get my machine back to me quickly and does a great job. I remember when I was about 12 our house had a house fire just before I got home. My 3 younger siblings were home and my mom and dad at work. My sister next to me got the youngest ones out and then went back for my Mom’s portable sewing machine. It was that important to our family.
Judy Laquidara says
That’s such a sweet story!
April Reeves says
Some of my favorite childhood memories is exploring Hancocks while my mom shopped. I was a very picky child about how my clothes felt on me. So much so, my elementary gym teacher (who knew my family outside of the school arena), kept extra set of clothes for me if I wanted to change while at school. One of my sons has the same sensory issues but way less spoiled about it than I was. I know there were many things my mom made for me that I threw a fit about wearing. I’m sure it broke her heart. I do have fond memories of matching outfits for me and my best friend, Halloween costumes (last year my son wore one my childhood Halloween costumes), twirling costumes, and formal dresses. Being born in 75, I was past the time that people made the majority of their clothes. I know that my mom made clothes for all her younger siblings, especially her youngest. Making clothes isn’t my thing but I have and will make Halloween costumes for my boys. All that just to say, I think sewing and crafting with you and her mom will definitely be memories she will treasure.
Susan Nixon says
Our Woolworth’s had a downstairs where all the fabric and thread, yarn, lace, ELASTIC, crafty stuff was located. Back in the 80s in Houston, I found one still like that! It was a walk down memory lane!