My first sewing machine .... ain't she a beauty !!

This little hand crank Singer sewing machine was my very first sewing machine. I got it when I was about 8 years old. This is where my "sewing career" began. At first, I was a "Barbie sewer". My Barbie sure had some interesting outfits! One of the more memorable ones was a pink nightie with thin straps and a white fake fur/boa kind of thing that wrapped around the top of the bodice (I think-- if I remember my sewing terms correctly.) As I recall, my mother was speechless -- she didn't want to crush the creative spirit, but was a little concerned about her 8 year old daughter sewing sleezy lingerie for Barbie !!

Anyhow, a couple of years later , when I was in 6th grade, my mother signed me up for real sewing lessons every Saturday morning at a local fabric shop . ( Nancy's Sewing Center). I posted a picture of the pattern I used (yes, I still have it!) -- it's that one with the brown plaid pants (I don't know why blogger posted some pictures 2 times ) -- Anyhow, the outfit I made was the skirt and vest -- the skirt I made was a camel colored one; the vest was camel and blue plaid ("Nancy" , our teacher, must have had the patience of a saint since the pattern I picked involved lining the vest, matching plaids, putting in button holes, and putting in a zipper in the skirt !) . After that I was on my way. The second thing I attempted (and this was on my own) was that long jumpsuit looking thing. I made it to wear to my friend Cindy's pajama party. Well, I didn't measure quite right , and it was a little short in the crotch -- so sitting for any length of time was a bit uncomfortable ! I think the next thing I attempted was that green number on the bottom left corner of the other pattern pictured. I looked like "Cher" back in her "Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves" days !! Jeeze -not only do the styles of those patterns date me -- so do the prices !!! (only 75 cents !!)

Toodles,
Mary Anne (aka Mare)