A Blessed Birthday for Mary Kathleene
Mary Kathleene (or Kathleene as she is often called) is a mother that has blessed her family with her love and good deeds for many years. In turn, she has been blessed with a daughter, Mary, that strives to return the love and deeds in kind. Although love can be expressed in many ways, in this case it is through the gift of a very special sewing machine for Kathleene's birthday.
I was contacted by Mary to provide this very special machine for her mother's birthday. Here is the touching story that sparked her search for just the right sewing machine for her lovely mother, in Mary's own words:
"Back in the 70's, our mother gave up her beloved 201-2 machine which had been a gift from Dad in their first year of marriage. Mom used her machine as a trade in to help buy a machine for each of her daughters as they started out in life. We accepted her gift, never realizing the sacrifice she'd made until many years later. Mother never bought another machine and never sewed another item, because she just couldn't stand the new, modern machines. Too late, we realized that the machine she gave up was the one on which she had made our baby clothes, and little school dresses, and first prom dresses. It was a place she sat into the wee hours of the morning completing a special dress for school portraits or Easter morning. She poured her love for us out on that machine, and then gave it away when she thought that might serve us better. We hope to make it up to her now, and you are the Genie that is making that happen.... Thank you! "
 | Mary also sent me a photo of her mother. I just had to include it (with permission -of course). I was taken by how striking Kathleene is. - a picture of elegance for certain! Mary's story about her mother touched my heart, and brought to mind how my mother always thought of her family and children first, and what a blessing that has been in my life. As a mother myself, I've been blessed again to have the opportunity to love my children and family as my mother taught me through her example. One day, perhaps my daughter will enjoy this blessing as well. I understand, from both perspectives, the gifts that mothers and daughters can bestow upon each other. Most are not tangible. Funny thing is that as a mom, an act which may seem like sacrifice to others often doesn't feel that way to us at all. |
Now, anyone who has followed this blog even a little bit, will know that I will seize every opportunity to show off a gorgeous machine. This entry is no exception. Kathlleene has received one of the prettiest, nicest, 201-2's that I may have ever seen. It's an early model with the scroll face, chrome trim around the hand wheel and decal design on the motor housing (the ONLY one I've ver seen with that).
(click on images to enlarge)
Please visit my website: Sew-Classic.com
What a beautiful woman! And for her daughters to think of finding just the right machine for her...nothing like a few tears to start the day off right.
What a beautiful story! Isn't it wonderful to hear stories like this today, when our world seems to be such a mess? I bet you were very happy to be part of this one
What a nice gift and a beautiful machine. Can I have the story for my "Does your machine have a story" collection? I'll omit any names and personal photo's if you prefer.
Beth,
I did receive Mary's permission to tell her story and use the photos on my blog. I didn't request anything further. I suspect that she will be reading this entry eventually, and if she mentions your request, I will pass it on to you.
Thank you. Tell her I will change her name if she'd like. I like the story, I suppose the name isn't important. I see so many (and it's a fraction of the ones you see) old machines that used to mean something to someone. Now they're on the curb or at Goodwill. I like to preserve that little bit of the history and love that these machines once owned. Do you think she'd like the name Katherine Susanne? I can call her Katie Sue for short, LOL.
Please feel free to use the story & keep the details & names factual... I'd love it if you sent me a link... I'll share it with Mama... she'll love it. thanks, Mary
Hi... This is Kathleene's daughter, Mary... Please feel free to use the story... I'd love it if you e-mail me the site... I'll share it with mom...Thanks, Mary
Oh... One tiny correction... My sweet sisters (Jeanene & Betsy) & brother (Adam) helped with this gift.... They all pitched in and it is a gift from all four of her children. Thanks for such a nice blog entry about Mama!
Thanks again, ...Mary
Thanks for the information Mary. I didn't know it was a group endeavor! How nice.
I really enjoyed reading this story, it is so nice when children get to a point where they recognize all of the sacrifices their parents, particularly their mothers, make for them. My mom has 15 children, and when her old Singer gave up, she used us girl's Kenmores until we grew up and moved out. Not one to garage sale, Mom didn't think she could afford a good sewing machine ever again. I took her garage saling one day, and found her a $15 Kenmore portable sewing machine that she used for about 10 years before it gave up the ghost. Then my hubby and I stopped at a fund raising garage sale that was just closing up, and found a vintage Sears Kenmore sewing machine in a nice sewing table, including the sewing machine cams & accessories, for $7, but because they were closing, they sold it to us for $3.50! My mom was ecstatic! She continues to use that sewing machine- by the way, she makes ALL of her own clothing! She constantly tells me how grateful she is to my hubby and I for getting her that sewing machine, that it is the very best sewing machine she has EVER had!
By the way, one of my many sewing machines is a Singer 201-2 identical to the one you sold Mary for her mom. It has the decal on the back of the motor, and the chrome rim on the handwheel. I have another 201-2 in a sewing table, but I can't get to it to check and see if it too has those same details. The one that does runs like a dream though! It only needed cleaned & oiled, and once the lubricants worked in (including fresh lubricant in the "wells" to the motor), it just runs faster & faster, & quieter! According to the sewing machine repairpeople experts I have chatted with, the rotary machines do run smoother, faster, & quieter, but the tiny downside to that, is that if they get out of whack, they are pretty cantankerous until they get adjusted properly again.
I love your blog, thank you for sharing, and keep up the good work!
Becky in NC