The Anonymous Widower

Perhaps I Should Get a Sewing Machine

They’ve just announced that the “Make Do and Mend” culture is returning, with John Lewis reporting an increase in the sale of sewing machines.  The department store has also brought out a guide with the same name.

You may ask, why a sixty-two year old man would buy a sewing machine.  I probably won’t, but I used to be very handy with one, having been taught how to sew by my mother.

When we were first married, I used to make some of my wife’s clothes.  I can remember making several dresses and a long brown coat.  In fact, somewhere in this house is a short maternity dress, that I made in 1969 out of some red Dorcas fabric.

My father also taught me how to do proper carpentry, service cars, hang wallpaper and of course everything there is to know about real letterpress printing.

I don’t think we taught our children such a wide range of skills.  And I think that these days kids learn even less from their parents.

August 31, 2009 - Posted by AnonW | World | John Lewis, My Father, My Mother, Printing