Do you remember the first machine you started sewing on? We asked our Facebook fans to share stories about their first time sewing and their first sewing machine. Did you start on any of these machines?
“Managed to break my mum’s 25-year-old Brother machine when I was 11—I was "playing" with it. Put me off sewing for a while, but I bought my first Singer hand machine when was I was 19. Still got it and it still works like a dream!” – Jeni T.
“On my eighth birthday! I am 58 now and I still love to sew! It was a child's mini Elna sewing machine. Think it was Swiss made and I loved it. I made my mum and I an apron each out of her old dining room sunflower curtains. She even made some dolls clothes on it for me! Wish I still had it!” – Julie C.
“I learned on my grandmother's old treadle machine. The one she sewed through her finger with! Trust me—I was careful after hearing about that.” – Pat B.
“I had a toy Singer one when I was about seven or eight years old. I loved it and made clothes and bedding for my dolls. I still love sewing about 50 years later.” – Doreen D.
“My mom starting teaching me to sew when I was eight with her awesome metal Elna machine. It didn't do much as far as cool stitching, but I loved it and she still has it. Still works too!” – Peggy S.
“ I used my mother's Kenmore until I was 19. Then I moved away from home and got my own machine. I finally got my first Singer (Imperial) in 1994 and still use it. It’s a plain machine and not computerized, but I will keep on using it.” – Barbara L.
Which one is your favorite? Leave a comment below or share with us on Facebook!
My mother, who made all of my sisters' and my clothes, taught me to sew on her Singer treadle machine. I made my first garment when I was seven and have been sewing for 80 years. My parents gave me my first machine, a portable Singer Slant-needle and it is still a very good machine for straight stitching. A repairman once told me if I ever wanted to sell it, he would buy it in a minute!
When I was 12 I was given a new Golden Touch and Sew Singer machine. I still have it but needs repairs and parts.
my favorite is the treadle machine. I was given oneand amfixing up. I also still have the toy Singer and several others.I collecting machines, but moving sqishes that. I also love my Janome serger.
I learnt to sew on my Grandmothers treadle Singer machine. I still have this machine. Went to my Mother & then me. It was made in 1910, still has the metal box with gathering foot & lots of others.
I started sewing at 10 or 11 yrs old on a small sewing machine (can't remember the brand) that you clamped to the table and it sewed only a chain stitch to sew clothes for Barbie. Then I was allowed to use my Mom's Necchi machine. My Mom saw that I needed my own and brought me a Kenmore. Later on I bought my own Singer that was the first computerized sewing machine and then a Singer serger. I now own a Viking conventional and serger machines. Still sewing strong at 73 years of age.
I learned on my mother's cabinet machine that had a right knee bar for speed, it was probably a Brother or a White. I have a mechanical Bernina that is fabulous and a 15 yr. old Bernina 550. I love my Berninas!
I was 12 when I first used a sewing machine. It was a Singer sewing machine that was supplied by the school. I am 79, and still enjoy sewing. I own Kenmore,
In 1975,, my maternal grandmother, Olga, died. Her mother had been a tailor in St. Louis and my grandmother had learned well from her mother. (Olga had made me custom-fitted wool shirts that were the equal of anything made by Pendleton.) Olga had collected three Singer #221 Lightweight machines over her life and I received the best one of the three as an inheritance. I started learning to sew on that lovely 221 and still have it, despite my rather ham-fisted style and lack of skill.
I am 97 now and I remember clearly my mother making all my clothes on her treadle machine--including Shirley Temple dresses, skating skirts and blouses and skirts cut down from my Dad's shirts and suits. Later, in 1952 , I made my own wedding dress on the same old machine--worked perfectly. .
I also have the exact same Kenmore! My mom had an old Singer that she traded it in for the Kenmore, and she had it for YEARS. She eventually gave me the Kenmore and bought a new Singer, but was never really happy with it. I still have that old Kenmore, and it's the only machine I use. In fact, I used it to make my wedding dress in 1996!