Hello....Happy Friday! Instead of sharing a card this week for my feature spot I decided to share a wee bit about my first love of sewing. I can remember when I was very young my mom sewing and making clothes for my sister and I, at one point I begged for store bought clothes! But when we went shopping and I only ended up with a few new things to wear I was so disappointed. Back in the day it was much more economical to have my mom sew my clothes rather than buy them. I would sit and watch her sew for hours,
I still love the sound of her sewing machine. It is also the one I use to make all my projects and clothes with. It is solid metal and I don't want to jinx it, but it has never been in the shop for repairs. My dad bought the machine for my mom when she was pregnant with me so it is old as dirt! But I would not trade it in for any of the new fancy computer generated machines that are available now.
This is my serger...love this almost as much as my regular machine, this is the machine that trims the fabric and over stitches or finishes off the edge (like what you see on store bought clothing). I use both of these machines when ever I sew.
My favorite thing to make or alter are wedding gowns, they are always a bit of a challenge but I love working with all the beautiful fabrics. I made my own wedding gown just about 25 years ago...I would take pieces of it with me to work and hand stitch beads on it during my lunch hour.
I went through my wedding album and had a hard time finding a photo where you would be able to see the details of my dress. This was taken just about 25 years ago and I have been working really hard to get back to the weight I was at this time...only 3 more pounds to go!
I love making little purses or projects bags, they are so fun and pretty quick to put together and pajamas are another favorite! I had so much fun sharing with you today...thank you so much.
Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by....enjoy your weekend, I am on my way to visit my dear friends Mickey and Minnie!
TFS your sewing machines and your love for sewing. I have a Singer from the 60's. It's been a long time since I used it though. And congrats on your weight loss to your wedding weight.
ReplyDeleteWOW! You are adventurous Kim! I used to make my own clothes back in the day, but I haven't for years now. I still have my trusty old sewing machine which works as well now as it did then (mine isn't quite as old as yours, but it is still 45-50 years old) Seeing your overlocker/serger, I am reminded of a job I had in a clothing factory once (when I was between jobs) it was a devil to rethread! Thanks for sharing this with us and good on you for getting back to the weight you were when you first got married!! Have a lovely day! Hazel xx
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Wow! You made your wedding dress!! That is AMAZING! LOVING your little pouches!!!!! I have been pushing myself with my sewing skills ... so far I have made a ton of pillows, a tote bag and a T-shirt quilt!
ReplyDeleteYou were beautiful then, and are absolutely beautiful now. And your dress.... I blew up the photo and looked at it for quite some time. Gorgeous. You've got mad sewing skills, girl. Wish I did.... Mom sewed everything too; from our dresses to coats, draperies, and even upholstery. I keep it simple - mending, crafts for the grandkids, and a curtain or pillow cover once in a blue moon. Thanks for sharing sweet friend!!! Miss you!!! xoxo Bev
ReplyDeleteAwww! Kim this is a great post!! I love your wedding gown and can see the beautiful detail and love you put into it!!.
ReplyDeleteI love to sew too : ) I made one of my sister's wedding gowns once and had a fiasco!! the delicate material I used for the back began to separate from the row of buttons. We literally had to sew the gown on to her minutes before she walked down the aisle!! My husband still cringes : ) but my sister and I enjoy a lot of laughs over that!!
Thank you for sharing such a delightful story! and your sewing projects too : )
Patti
Wow, your wedding dress looks amazing and you are doing so well to be near that weight again. I remember the same thing as a kid. My Mum was a dressmaker by trade and made everything and all I wanted was a real dress from a real shop! I was a gymnast and she even made my leotards! Your sewing is amazing, I have no idea how to sew! Great to learn more about you and have a fun weekend x
ReplyDeleteOh Kim, you are so talented ... your wedding dress was amazing (great photo!) ... and all your little pouches and bags are just so cute! I also learned to sew on my Mum's Singer ... it too was all metal ... and shiny black ... loved it ... and loved that Mum taught me to sew using it! Enjoy your Mickey and Minnie visit! Hugs & bisous, Anita :)
ReplyDeleteAmazing story, Kim. I love your wedding dress--I cannot believe that you made it yourself. All of your sewing projects are incredible--I cannot sew worth beans, so I am doubly impressed because I know how difficult it all is. What a great post for our Feature Designer.
ReplyDeleteAs beautiful today as you were 25 years ago my friend. Thank you for sharing a bit about your first love with us. No kidding that the old metal machines were the best. I also remember the sound of my Mom's machine which she handed down to me. My two most memorable sewing jobs were my prom dress and a queen duvet and shams when we first got married. I am so honoured that I have one of your sweet little dumpling bags in my purse! :)
ReplyDeleteLoved reading your post today Kim and I love that you have your mom's machine! You are a talented lady. Your wedding dress was beautiful, thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteI loved your pics and story. I also used to make all my clothes and my daughter's. Congrats on your wait loss, you look great! I really like the blouse you have on in that pic. Made by you?
ReplyDeleteYour sewing talents are as lovely as your cards. Three pounds to go? For me probably the weight of a nine year old grandson. :)
ReplyDeleteKim! You are so talented! Wedding dresses!!! Those little bags are just the cutest things! It's things like this I sometimes find myself wishing I could make. So happy to learn more about you for this week's Friday Feature! :)
ReplyDeleteYour sewing always amazes me, Kim--beautiful work! I did make an apron in 4H that got a reserve ribbon at the State Fair when I was a kid, but my sister got the sewing genes in our family. Your wedding dress is stunning & I'm so impressed you're back to your weight wearing it! Love the little bags you make--so much better than anything in stores!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Bride...beautiful dress! Your dress reminds me so much of my daughter's satin wedding dress. She also had the beading, puffed sleeves and big bow in the back. She is celebrating her 25th Wedding Anniversary next month, March 9th, 2016. Congrats to the TWO happy couples!!
ReplyDeleteLove all your sewing projects, you are a very talented lady. Thanks for sharing!
Such a lovely post Kim! Your sewing machine is a treasure, I also had my mum's sewing machine and I was devastated when it broke. The new one hasn't got that magic feeling.
ReplyDeleteYou are so beautiful in your wedding dress! Love the dumpling bag too. TFS!!!
Love and hugs
Maarit
Oh Kim! How beautiful you are in your wedding dress! I recognize that machine! LOve these photos, and thanks for sharing them with us all!
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Awesome! You are one talented lady!!
ReplyDeleteThis is seriously my favorite post ever!!! Your gown is gorgeous! Your hair looks really, really long! Pretty bridesmaid dresses...especially love their 'big hair'!
ReplyDeleteAwesome pics! Thanks for sharing :)
Fabulous projects Kim! You are an amazing seamstress. Wow, your wedding dress is amazing.
ReplyDeleteThis is so amazing to me because I am so not a sewer. Such a beautiful seamstress. So talented. Thanks for sharing your pictures.
ReplyDeleteYou are one talented lady! Your mom's Singer resembles my mom's.
ReplyDeleteLove this post, Kim! My mom made my clothes too when I was little and I still remember some of my favorite pieces! That is an awesome task, making your own wedding dress and it looks gorgeous! I have sewn a bit over the years and have a chest full of sewing projects but sewing intimidates me. I made my son a fur bedspread once, boy was that a challenge! lol You are one very talented and inspirational gal!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe wedding dresses are your favorite, Kim. As you know I've altered a few and they really ARE a challenge. My mother made my daughter's wedding dress and it was gorgeous. She used to be a Bishop sewing teacher but before that she made all my and my sister's clothing, plus sport coats for my Dad. She even did smocking. I used to make some of my clothes but now I just make quilts and do some alterations. In fact my granddaughter just texted me today and asked if I could shorten her prom dress.
ReplyDeleteOnce again, I'm marveling at the depth and breadth of your talents. What a stunning bride you were on your wedding day; what a stunning wife you are today. Your dress: oh my! Gorgeous! My mom has a talent for sewing, but more along the lines of crafts (the stuffed dolls she made were amazing!) and quilts. I never learned, mainly because my 'sewing' lessons in school were a complete turn-off. Now, I wish I had...The extent of my needle-and-thread talents are with cross-stitch, which reminds me that I do have a Noah's Ark birth sampler to finish for my nephew (I started when he was born...he'll be four in March! YIKES!). How fabulous that your love for wedding gowns continues even today; I'll bet you have a number of brides seeking your creativity! Your post fills me with joy, my friend! Hope your visit to see Mickey and Minnie was fantastic! Disneyland, with my husband, niece and nephew, is on my wish list!
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you are sooo beautiful bride wooohooo Kim
ReplyDeleteso pretty so happy and so wonderful
and the dress wooooww you even made it self ??Amazing
that mickey/minie mouse purse is my favorite love love love it
wish I am near your home I will learn how to sew Kim
you are super talented lady
Happy to know you
hugs
Monika
Kim, what a fun post to read! My mom has a sewing machine like that, too, I and I loved to watch her sew with it and listen to that distinctive sound...but unfortunately for me I did not learn how to do it myself. I regret that! Your wedding gown was stunning -- just like you-- and I love the projects you shared, too. I'd buy a tote bag like the ones you shared...the owls? LOVE!!! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI just found this way back in my catch-up pile and I'm so glad I didn't miss it altogeher, Kim! What a fun post! I love that you use the tried and true machines for your beautiful sewing and thank you for sharing your wedding photo! Pretty dresses, pretty girls, and very long hair! Congratulations on getting down to your wedding weight!! You still look like you did 25 years ago - darn you, lol!! Hugs, Darnell
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