This sewing machine was found in a shed. It was unwanted by the new resident, so it came to me for cleaning, oiling and a look over. You see it here with some of the upper casing removed to allow lubrication. It is now on its way to new users in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yangkunytjatjara lands. Meanwhile at our place, the threadbare flourbag shirt got some more patches added. Here, the glue stitching I mentioned in my last post holding them in position.
Here, the inside view.
And here, the finished–for now–view of the back.
Threads dyed with pansy, dyer’s chamomile and eucalyptus.
I took up my friend’s jeans. I feel like I have almost got top stitching denim sorted!
Top tips: use a jeans needle. If using top stitching thread, thread the needle by hand (should you have any other options, don’t use them); and leave ordinary thread in the bobbin. Use a 4mm stitch at least.
Buttons replaced in position and stitched down so they don’t get away. I had to laugh when one button fell off at work the day of the second mending workshop!
And another sewing machine cleaned, oiled, tested and ready to go to its new owners. My grandmother lived in a country town where getting your machine serviced was not easy to arrange (cost may have been an issue too). She was a fearless tender to her own machine and those of all her friends and told me many times that cleaning and oiling fixed most troubles. So I am in her footsteps here, but in this case with a manual to guide me. I took this machine apart and oiled all. the. places. It really whirs along! It is now headed to asylum seekers who have been released from increasingly notorious conditions in detention on Nauru, who were tailors in their country of origin and will make great use of this well maintained machine. It came to me because I was working on the mending kits and a lovely volunteer in an op shop asked if I could re-home a machine she knew needed to find a new home. I feel sure its new use would please the original owner very much.
Local & Bespoke 
I love the way things go round and round and gradually find new homes with people who’ll love and use them. Brilliant. You are such a conduit.
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I love this process too. The more I enter into having superpower for re-homing sewing and knitting equipment and supplies, the more of then pass through my hands. I am blessed with friends who do likewise with all manner of other things discarded by people. It’s a fine entertainment and a force for good I am glad to be part of in some small way.
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P.S. I bought some sock needles today and am going to gird my loins and try to knit a pair!!! Inspired by you. One day I will spin and dye the yarn too.
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Cheering you on, Keryn! Sock knitting is fun and provides much evidence of human ingenuity. That said, be patient with yourself as your first pair will be the slowest. Wishing you every success!
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I love the way you repaired your shirt – I’ll file that away in the back of my mind for future reference.
Great that someone who needs it gets the sewing machine – I hope it will help them in their new life.
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Wonderful news about re-homing the sewing machines! You’ve inspired me to my own mending, much overdue fixes to my favourite house cardigan. I was spurred on by finding some lovely woollen yarn (I thinks for wool embroidery ), which will provide beautiful additional visible mends to my four ply cardy. Will blog when completed.
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On so many levels, this is great, good work. Thank you.
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Thank you so much. It’s been wonderful to connect up with others who feel moved to be part of the larger project as I’ve travelled through some of these tasks.
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