Fifty years ago I bought my second sewing machine. My first was an inexpensive budget model Brother bought at Woolco. Within a year I graduated to a midrange Kenmore that has faithfully served as my reliable workhorse. I think it cost $150. It’s well made with metal parts; only the plastic end piece and carry case are discoloured with age. A friend who repairs sewing machines confirms it’s a keeper and should last another 50 years. Mari was able to find its lightly used sibling in Calgary for $25.
It sounds like I spend a fair amount of time sewing. Nope. I have no business undertaking anything that involves a pattern. Hemming, minor repairs and alterations, fine. But I’m famous for spending 12 hours on a Simplicity Two Hour pattern, omitting the decorative buttonholes. Truth be told I don’t think I’ve ever sewn a buttonhole.
This time the project was three sets of storage bags for mahjong racks and mats. The pattern was a ten minute drawstring bag. The fabric was surprisingly nice, being a bulk piece from Walmart. The YouTube instructor I watched said to ignore the pattern name, it would actually take 30 minutes. For me, make that well over an hour. The ironing alone, for six French seamed heavy fabric bags took a total of an hour and a half. I think it was worth the effort.
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