Friday, May 04, 2007

100 years of Old Sewing Machines











It was an idyllic day weatherwise and I spent it well.
6 of my mini group went to visit a lady who has just last month opened her collection of 100 years of old Singer sewing machines. We spent a fascinating hour with her and found models of machines that most of us learnt to sew on. As well as the machines she has on display associated items like cotton, thimbles, irons, toy machines and wall hangings with a sewing theme. All the machines are in working order! One photo shows her oldest machine of 1893. It and some others all had to be wound by the right hand which must have made sewing more difficult unless you had a small child to wind for you as you sewed. Some of this type of hand powered machine are still of great use and treasured in island countries without electricity.
It's a fabulous collection to see. Do you like her wall hanging...amazingly well done.
We then took ourselves and our picnic lunch and sewing down to the waters edge at Otumoetai and gazed out across the ebbing tide at Mt. Maunganui. Not a breathe of wind or cloud above.
I then came home via the Super market with fresh fish for dinner.
What a fabulous way to spend a day while we wait for our turn to pick that fruit!

10 comments:

Fiona said...

What an excellent collection - I don't know of anything similar in this country. And the wallhanging is superb.

Helen said...

Ali, where is the display of machines to be found?

Unknown said...

You lucky girl - what a brilliant way to spend the day

Ali Honey said...

Hi Helen,
The display of machines belongs to Raewyn Yoeman. She lives in Tauranga at 3A David St, which is off Otumoetai Road ( at the Waihi Road end.) ( very easy to find )Gold coin entry. It is a really good place to visit if in the BOP. Cheers Alison.

Ali Honey said...

Hi again Helen,
The ladies name is spelt Yeoman.

Did you know that there is a similar collection in Wanganui?Hugh Ramage owns it.It has over 60 machines, mostly Singers. There was an article and photos in the NZ Quilter Issue 56 ( July last year ) It is great that these old machine have become treasures! Ali.

Diana said...

Sounds like you had a great day with your friends!

The machine from 1893 is amazing.

meggie said...

Sounds like a wonderful way to spend a day out. Loved all the pic as usual. A side of the Mount not often seen, - well by me!

Pam said...

Goodness me, what lovely and varied pictures. I have spent too long reading blogs tonight and must go and do useful things, but will be back!

Suzi-k said...

have just spent a while catching up on old posts, interesting as always! I especially enjoyed your definitions of a real woman!

Rose Marie said...

What a fascinating collection! The comments must have been similar to any type of museum that have antique machines. I also learned to sew on a Singer treadle machine.
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