VKC - Part I

Exciting news. I am starting a series where I will describe items I have dearly possessed for decades. These items are still very usable but some are out of date style wise. They are part of my Vintage Keeper Collection (henceforth known as VKC). These are possessions that I hold near and dear to my heart. I will be posting periodically on these various treasures.

And now for the first installment.

I was in junior high school - the early 60's - when I learned to sew. My first project in Home Ec was a reversible wrap around skirt. I loved making it.

Later on I was dying to have my own machine. I chose to buy a Singer and purchased it "on-time". That is, I sent monthly installments to the Singer Company until the $80 was paid in full.


In the late 60's I was asked to be a bridesmaid in a friends wedding. I was also asked to make my dress. I loved the bright colors of the fabric and the bow in my hair was just the right touch.

A few months later I was asked by another friend to be her bridesmaid. Once again I was asked to make my dress. This dress was a daisy theme. After it was constructed I had to hand sew fabric daises around the neck and the hem. I was not too crazy about this one. Yellow is not in my season.

And here is the wedding mentioned in a recent post. I was the maid of honor. I made my dress of blue dotted swiss and the floppy blue hat was just right. I made an identical dress for another bridesmaid. Then I made the yellow MOB dress. This was a difficult project. The fabric was a heavy type silk and was lined. After I finished making it, I somehow got a spot right on the front. The bride was most upset, but we calmed her down and got the spot removed. In the picture the groom is thanking me for getting rid of that spot.

I continued sewing for several more years and later quit for a long time. Then when the kids were small I started using the Singer again mostly to make costumes. I made Melanie a few jumpers here and there. Also, I was the volunteer uniform neckerchief maker for our Scout troop. It was during this time that I used the Singer to proudly attach merit badges to shirts and sashes.

My machine is quite heavy and very sturdy because of its steel construction. And the stitches are still so perfectly straight and tight. The foot pedal is a little stiff now and the bobbin winding has always been a little awkward. But she still hums along, still making the unique rhythmic stitching sound that only comes from a solid sewing machine. I will never part with my Singer. It holds a top place in my VKC.