Sunday, May 31, 2015

Meet my Newest Pedal, Lois

A big "Thank You" to Becca with Sew Me a Song and Amy at During Quiet Time for choosing me as the recipient of their recent Giveaway. I absolutely loved this collection and had to put my name in the mix to win and believe me was I ever shocked when I got the email notice that I won! This little bundle puts me so much closer to finally having the stash to create my dream scrappy happy quilt.


Now about that new pedal...

Meet Lois my second Singer 301A.


Born in 1951, she's a tan long bed in lovingly cared for condition. She has an equally lovely trapezoid case and a number of accessories. Isn't she beautiful.

Until Friday she resided just a few houses up the alley from me with one of the most beautiful neighbors you could ever imagine, Miss Lois. 

One of the last front porch conversations I had with Miss Lois was about sewing. She shared that in her younger days she had loved to sew but she was a bit too tired lately. The last time I saw Miss Lois I spied her through one of my sewing/dining room windows as she walked her little dog, Lizzy. I stopped and wistfully watched them walk by.

Miss Lois was a classic southern lady in her 80s. She was one of those ladies who always stayed classically current but never trendy. Her home was beautifully decorated with meaningful items she had collected with her husband. She was a widow for a number of years and had overcome breast cancer. She felt she had lived a full and blessed life and was ready for God to call her home which he did several months ago just a few days after that last time I saw her.

A few weeks ago I was perusing estate sale photos with my sister when I came across a sale with a beautiful Singer 301. I marveled aloud how precious and tasteful the owner had been. Then, my sister noticed that the sale was in my very neighborhood. Miss Lois!

I had planned to be there when they opened the door as I wanted to ensure that Miss Lois's sewing machine would go to someone who would appreciate and adore it and I hoped that person would be me. But, as luck would have it, I noticed a growth on my dogs foot and my only shot at getting him seen by his vet last week was 15 minutes before the sale started. 

I took a chance and called the estate sale company to see if they would sell the 301 early and they would! I purchased the 301 and the newer model folding sewing/storage table in the photo sight unseen. 


I'm not sure what possessed me to buy that table, it's not my style, but my son is taking his bedroom suite in July and I will be able to move my sewing out of the dining room so I need more surfaces and storage. Well, I am so glad I bought it because all of the vintage accessories where stored in it! I would have missed out on some important accessories and special pieces.


Besides your standard green box and owners manual, which I have with my first 301, I got a button hole attachment, a Sewing Skills book and a darning foot.

It looks like Lois received this machine for Christmas around 1951 when she was a young bride in rural Georgia. She wrote a note on the cover of her skills book to remind her of her last class at the Singer Sewing Center on January 21.


She also doodled lightly on the cover and wrote notes on the inside.


I found a number of lovely things in the drawers, like these two silver thimbles, the wooden knitting and crochet needles, the darning egg and that classic pin cushion.


I also purchased this adorable little Tanker Table.


I found it in the garage. It may have originally been a school piece as it is a bit petite but still adult sized. It will be nice for my HuskyLock since the serger sits up a bit high for a normal table top. 


While cleaning the desk I found schoolwork dated 1967 tucked behind this drawer.


Miss Lois had been a school teacher and besides her daughter's math work there was also a homemade times table study aid written on card stock. I took these and some unused personalized sewing and knitting tags back to Lois's home to be given back to her daughter.

I feel so blessed to be able to care for the machine that was lovingly used by such a lovely lady. It just seems right that this 301 should carry her name and, for the first time, I am naming one of my sewing machines. I know that Lois and I will have many happy sewing days together.

On another sewing note...

I am participating in the 2015 New Quilt Bloggers Hop. We get our first email tomorrow and I can't wait to see what I have gotten myself into. 


Thanks for visiting!




14 comments:

  1. Nice addition to your sewing machine working collection!

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a great story! Sounds like it was meant to be. :) I'm excited about your future sewing space - will you miss the dining room? ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! She's such a beauty. I am going to leave the traditional cabinet with the 15-90 in the dining room with a view of Hub's favorite chair and the TV. Speaking of Hubs, he teared up when he read this post. Miss Lois was a woman of strong faith, she ran a good race and we celebrate that she is home, but we miss her presence and our prayers are with her family.

      Delete
  3. Such a lovely story! I'm sure Miss Lois would be very happy to know that her belongings went to someone who will treasure them.

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a great story. So glad the Singer has found a home where she'll be loved an appreciated. Happy sewing.

    ReplyDelete
  5. you are so lucky to have such an amazing treasure, and to know where it came from. it is beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Congratulations on your win! What a beautiful machine you have, take good care of her!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a beautiful machine! Miss Lois sounds like a wonderful lady to have known!

    ReplyDelete
  8. P.S. I've just tried to reply to the lovely comment you left on my blog but it got bounced back - if you reply to one of these comments then I'll see if I can send my reply to the right email address!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Both Lois and Miss Lois sound enchanting - and Lois the Singer is fortunate to have found such a wonderful home with someone who will cherish her and treat her well for all the days of her life! Can't wait to see the lovely things the two of you create together...

    ReplyDelete
  10. How wonderful the estate sale company was willing to work with you! How is your dog, is the foot OK? Thanks for linking up! :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Congratulations on winning that lovely fabric bundle. I'm glad it is helping you to produce a quilt you have had your eye on for a while.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow, such a lovely story... I enjoyed reading this! and such a wonderful collection of special pieces too!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I too loved reading this post!! WHast a lucky find!! So glad it has found a good home with you.

    ReplyDelete