Operating the Manual Sewing Machine After Years of Not Using It: Assisting My Mom Sewing a Blanket

Mom was a seamstress before she became a baker. I remember her telling me how she sews while working as a lady guard too in some mall during the 90s. When she learned about the planning of getting a new uniform for the sales lady in that mall, Mom volunteered, saying she could do it at an affordable price. Lol. It's just amazing how hardworking she is during her prime. Doing everything so she can earn more.

Mom also sewn my own uniform during high school. And when she sews it, she always makes a bigger version because I grow too fast, lol. She has her bakery that time already, so she only does it as a hobby. She also made our pillow covers, there's a blanket too, we still use some of them till now. She does clothes adjustments as well, but only during her free time. And then, when Mommy D is able to find a pretty bed cover in a thrift shop, Mom will also do some adjustments, as per Mommy D's request.

We still have the manual sewing machine that Mom used before. It is already old but still usable. This one is really heavy because it's all made of metal. And you know, I want to try to learn sewing before, even until now, but laziness is just too severe for me, I can't push through it. But watching Mom, I feel like it will be easy.

But when I tried, it was not that easy. Aside from I can feel the heaviness, I feel like it's my fingers that will be sewn and not the fabric I'm holding, lol. Or maybe I am just too afraid, seriously, I don't have much courage, compared to Mom. Lol. According to her, back in her day, she did whatever she wanted. She's like an adventurer. She's like that before, but when it's me, she's always too tight, she doesn't even allow me to meet with my friends at school. Now she's complaining that I am too weak hearted, lol.

But anyways, yesterday, Mom decided to open her sewing machine. It was placed in our garage because the garage has more space. And, if ever she decides to sew some clothes or whatever, she'll get really good lightning. Just like what you see here. She has a good space and she can sew comfortably.

But before that, she cleaned the machine first. She also put oil in those areas that needed oil for it to run smoothly. She also tried it first to see if she could still sew. It's been really a long time since she last opened this, so she wants to make sure that she can still do it.

She just had a hard time pedaling on her manual sewing machine because her feet are kind of hard to control. But it's not much of a problem. She can still handle it so well.

And here's the sample when she tried to sew a fabric. Still look nice, it's just a simple, straight design.

So here's the reason why Mom opened her sewing machine. She wants to sew this blanket, actually, it was Mommy D who asked her. And there she is starting with it already. But, I feel like I did as much as what she did because I'm the one who put the sewing thread in the needle, lol. She can't really see the needle hole, so I'm the one who does that part. And I had to do it a lot of times because the thread is often cut off, lol.

I also have to hold the thread like this because Mom asked for it. Lol.

In the end, Mom finishes everything smoothly. She said, It's like she just had a leg workout, lol. Good for her, that's what she really needs, you know. And at least she learned that her sewing skill is still there. She can still do it, thats for sure.

I should start learning this too, I want! Especially, I often cut some of the long short I bought in a thrift shop to make it into a very comfortable short. And sewing it in hand is kinda tiring, so it'll be helpful to me if I learn it. But how to fight laziness? lol.

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Hello NeedleworkMonday community, this is my first post here. I hope this kind of post is welcome too. It's about Mom actually, and a little story about her being a seamstress. She had to sew one of our blanket using our manual sewing machine. And after years of not using it, finally, she was able to sew and operate it again and she actually asked for my assistant that day. And I think this is the perfect community for my topic today. I hope this is okay and I hope you enjoy reading my article. Thank you so much and happy Sunday ┏(＾0＾)┛.

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Lead Image Edited in Canva