Saturday, I finally took my sewing machine to the local dealership in for a bit of TLC. Long overdue for a kindly check-up and cleaning. I'm going to sound silly admitting how hard it was for me to hand her over. She's been my faithful companion in all my sewing projects over the past 19 years and she's my first machine. Hearing that I wouldn't see her again for at least a week made these creative fingers a bit twitchy. She's more than earned a week off and I knew that to satisfy my creative impulses during her hiatus, I'd have to tackle other disciplines (read: finish up some other projects... Sewing is my first love, but not my only creative pursuit). Needlepoint is one other love that has my attention this week.
This particular piece of needlepoint is extra special as it belonged to my beloved great-grandmother. She was talented in several needle arts - sewing, crochet, tatting, needlepoint, rug hooking and she passed on her love of needlecrafts to me. When I was a young girl, she taught me hand sewing, crochet and needlepoint. I do regret I didn't learn tatting from her experienced hands before she died. I can remember her sitting in her old rocker with her tatting shuttle nimbly forming intricate loops and knots of the most beautiful lace as she rocked. Her hands knew the motions intuitively, so that even if she nodded off, the shuttle kept at its work only to pause if an error was made. Eyes closed, she would undo the error and resume her rhythmic rocking and tatting.
Right now, I'm appreciative of the meditative aspect my needle point allows. Time to dream, to plan and time to remember the wonderful woman that started me on my creative path all those years ago. With my hands and mind so happily occupied, I'm not missing my machine quite as keenly. ;o)
I just picked my machines up today after they were in for servicing while I was on vacation. My great grandmother was my inspiration too, although I never had the privelge of meeting her, i have many of her tools and projects.
ReplyDeletewhere do you take your machine in?
I felt exactly the same when my machine was serviced. Love hearing about your great grandmother - sounds like an amazing lady. How lovely that the needlepoint has come from her.
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing to have had a woman like your great grandmother in your life. It's wonderful that you have so many memories of her.
ReplyDeletePS- I notice that you call your machine "her", isn't that just as bad as men with their boats?? ;-)
I woke up in the middle of the night and thought "One more day and I can pick up my machine". I tell you, it has been hard. I borrowed my daughter-in-law's machine (my old one) and it's been a trial. I got so used to my present machine. And this one has uneven stitches. And that is the reason I took my own in for service.
ReplyDeleteI should have just done what you are doing, try something else. But a sewing machine is like a third appendage.
You needlepoint is very lovely and I do like the colors you have chosen.
My grandmother taught me to sew. I always sew to make her memory happy!