My readers may wonder why the young women in my novels sew and design fashions.  Well…let me tell you.  Sewing has been a big part of my life since I was ten.  That’s when I received my first sewing machine!  Unfortunately, the young Victorian lady in my first two novels had to sew by hand. I, on the other hand, had a wonderful little sewing machine to learn to sew on.

My little sewing machine was a Singer metal machine that operated by a turn wheel. The machine was about six inches tall by six inches wide and though it was designed as a toy, it worked nearly as well as any grown-up sewing machine. From spool holder to needle, each section of the machine was numbered, making it easy to guide the thread. It came with a clamp to stabilize it on any surface and it was easy enough to turn the hand wheel with my right hand while I guided the fabric with my left. 

I still have that little sewing machine which stitches by a chain stitch and doesn’t require a bobbin.  With the machine, I made many doll clothes when I was young. And, when I grew up and had children, I taught my youngest daughter, Sarah, to sew on this very same machine and she had fun creating all sorts of things, including doll clothes.

Unfortunately, the sewing machine needle eventually broke and I haven’t been able to find the correct replacement needle which is a little shorter than the machine needles in most machines. But I treasure the machine anyway, as it is a reminder of how thrilled I was when I created my first dolly’s dress!