Meet Jenny

It has always been said that parents do not have favorites. Somehow the love just multiplies and there is enough to go around.  Sure, sometimes the growing up years can be a little rough and your parents don't understand you. So you go and talk to a neighbor who doesn't judge and asks if you are talking about the cute guy in P.E. (Never mind that the neighbor just happens to be your mom's best friend.)

All this to say... Most of you have heard me talk about Audrey but rarely about my first sewing machine.  Today, I want to introduce you to Jenny. My daughter just named her, she's my vintage Kenmore sewing machine. I'd call her a work horse but I don't want to hurt her feelings. 

 

She has been around for many years but she is practically brand new! My dad bought this sewing machine in the late 1960's for my mom when she got here from Cuba. She is an embroidery machine,

 

 these belong to her.

 

Here is the original manual in Spanish,

 

but thanks to the internet, I was able to find it in English.

 

 

Fast forward to 1989, I used  her to make a Dorothy costume without a pattern.  I have used her several times over the years and bought her some new parts in 1995 when she officially became mine.  I even got her a new cabinet after I got married. (I knew I should have gotten the white)

 

 

Today, Jenny got a new foot that will rejuvenate her! (I got it on Ebay at this shop.)

 

 

 

With this darning foot I can free motion quilt with her.  That will take some of the burden off of Audrey and they'll both have equal play time.

 

Needless to say, Jenny, like me, came into quilting later in life. This is all new to her.  Let's try it on for size, shall we?

Just like Cinderella!

 

 

I practiced a little to get my foot at the right angle and speed that would yield good stitching.

 

 

And when I put her foot down and put the petal to the medal, (Audrey has an automatic feature) Jenny quilted her little heart out.  Her stitches were smooth and even and with no tension problems.  Although she did get a little hot under the collar, you know,  some hot flashes, like the rest of us get who are close to her age.

 

Moral of the Story:  I spent $12.99 (instead of buying a new machine)  and was able to put more use to an oldie but goodie.  There are no favorites in this house!