That's the verse on the top of this gorgeous little pincushion. It's a Leanne Beasley design from Issue 3 of her Vignette magazine. I love the design. And the story that Leanne shared of her father-in-law struck a chord with me too.
As I was stitching away on this project I found my mind wandering to thoughts of my "stitching" grandparents - 2 are gone now, but I'm still fortunate enough to get to make memories with one of my grandmothers.
One grandfather worked as a tailor's cutter. He actually bought a Singer treadle machine a few weeks after they were married and taught my grandmother to sew! Some years later they got a motor for the treadle and converted it. She went on to make her own clothes and even earn an income from doing alterations for a local fashion store.
My other grandmother had a treadle sewing machine which I never saw anyone use, but I certainly loved to "treadle" it when I was little. Apparently she did use it to make curtains and things for her home and later on got a "modern" electric machine. I didn't really know her as a sewer until she was well into her 60s and joined a local patchwork group. I think of her often now that I'm a "patchworker" myself and wish that I'd had more time to share a common interest with her.
So the back of this pincushion remembers 2 grandmothers and a grandfather with their initials and years of birth.
The stitching was done using a Japanese thread, Moco. I loved the variegated mauves and greens, so I thought I'd give it a try. A word of caution, though. This thread is 100% polyester and does NOT like a hot iron. I pressed the stitching the right way - from the back, using a towel . . . but I made the mistake of going back for just one more little press! Without the towel! Lucky it was on the back and there wasn't too much damage, but it did melt the thread a little. A trap for young players!
I filled the pincushion with silica sand, so even though its quite petite (about 4 1/2" across), it weighs 460 grams (about 1 lb). I really like the substance of a weighty pincushion - and it comes in pretty handy as a paperweight, too!
Pattern: Rosemary for Rememberance Pinchusion
Designer: Leanne Beasley
Publication: Vingnette Magazine, Issue 3 http://leanneshouse.typepad.com/leanneshouse/
Fabric: Hanky Linen
Thread: Moco, Colour 819 (100% Polyester)
6 comments:
Beautiful pincushion Sue and what beautiful memories and a lovely story you have shared with all of us! Thankyou! Very special memories are made with needle and thread!
Hi Sue. Your pin cushion looks so lovely. I didn't know any of grandparents so it was so nice to read about yours.
It's beautiful pin cushion Sue. The workmanship is superb as always - Hugs
Nat
What a beautiful heirloom you have created.
I grew up in a household that included four generations of women. I have always felt blessed by this.
Thanks for the story about your grandpa and the Singer machine. Now I can see that the fascination you have with the Featherweights is in your genes.
What a lovely story Sue...now I will have to go to my magazine and have another look at the pin cushion...I have only looked at the mag once and need to go back and have a better look...Dzintra
Cute!
I'm a beginner sewer. These look lovely!
Gaileee
Singer Featherweight 221 Blogspot
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