Since Valentine's Day is just around the corner I thought my post should be about love. So I'll tell you about my old love. It is not going to be nearly as exciting as you might think but some people might be interested. So this is my old love.
Yep my sewing machine. This is the second sewing machine I ever owned. The first machine was a reconditioned (used) machine that my mother bought me for my birthday when I was 14. That machine, while okay to just play with, just didn't have what it takes to really sew anything. No one could ever adjust the tension properly and I never really made anything of any substance with it.
So enter the Montgomery Wards Computer 2000 sewing machine. I was 20 years old and a new mother when I got it. I used it to make a few things but not much. I remember making some simple curtains. I know that I tried to make some quilt blocks and those turned into throw pillows for my living room. But I had a husband that was not supportive and a little baby girl that just cried all the time. It was hard to get something cut out and sewn before one or both of them needed attention. Then I had to go back to work and I just plain & simple didn't have time to sew. At the time, I thought that I didn't like to sew but looking back I think it was my surroundings that made sewing hard for me. THAT is what made sewing not enjoyable.
The machine went in the closet and I pretty much told everyone that I hated to sew with the sewing machine. I avoided it at all costs. After a few years I took up scrapbooking and that was my all-consuming hobby. So then I didn't have time to sew because scrapbooking took up all my time. Well was I in for a shock when it became popular to sew on your scrapbook pages. I kept saying it would never happen. Nope, not me, I am not going to sew on MY scrapbook pages.
Yeah well, I caved. I asked my husband (not the same unsupportive husband) to get my machine out of its secret hiding place in my closet. I set it up in the scrapbook room and I would from time-to-time put a line or two of sewing on my cards or scrapbook pages. I still had the manual for the machine and I had to refer to it quite often. Often as in every time I had to thread the thing! But the machine and I made peace with each other. I was a scrapbooker that sewed on her pages for about 6 months or so.
For some reason I got the wild idea in my head that I was going to sew a purse. I looked around on the internet and found several tutorials for purses that I was positive that I could make. Then my computer crashed and I had PLENTY of time to sew a purse. So I sewed one purse. Then I sewed another one. Then I made a few more and my husband said I had to do something with these purses or I had to quit making them. That was when Banana Showcase was born. I figured if I sold the purses I was making, my husband would be happy that I wasn't cluttering up our house with more purses and I could use the extra money to continue enjoying my new found hobby.
So now 20 years after first buying the Computer 2000, I still have it. That is the machine that I started my business with. It still works and I can say proudly that the machine has never even broken down. It has never had to go to the shop for one repair. I know that one day something is going to happen and I am going to be devastated because the machines are no longer made and you cannot get parts for it.
So there now you know about my old love. Next post I'll tell you about my new love friend. The new machine is not a love yet because we have this love/hate thing going on. I'm sure when I get it all figured out I'll be bragging about it like my old love. Until then I just have one old faithful love! :)
