Modern Sewing on Antique Machines
Christine Carey
Christine has been sewing since 2010, and has been sewing exclusively on antique and vintage sewing machines since 2012. She loves acquiring old machines, cleaning and oiling them, researching their history, and using them to make modern quilts or other sewing projects. She loves to make quilts with bold designs and as many colors as possible. In addition to quilting, Christine makes household items, gifts for Christmas and other holidays, bags, and toys for her kids. Currently Christine has six treadle sewing machines and five portable machines. Her newest machine, her grandmother's vintage Kenmore, is from 1974. Her oldest machine is from 1896. When she's not sewing, Christine works as a speech-language pathologist and cares for her husband, three kids, and two cats.
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What inspired you to make this project?
I sew with antique machines because I love the history behind them. I sew modern projects because I love the aesthetic and the freedom to express myself in a way that's bold and new, but is also connected to the generations of women who came before me and expressed themselves through sewing, knitting, needlepoint, and other fiber arts.
However, I specifically wanted to make a project for Maker Faire because I think sewing on antique and vintage machines can appeal to a lot of people. History buffs appreciate the history...eco-conscious people appreciate a machine that's people powered, and can last for generations without landing in a landfill...children (and some adults!) feel better about sewing on a hand-crank machine where they control the speed. I think it could inspire a lot of people to try sewing. Also, after watching my friends become intimidated by modern machines with a hundred functions, or discouraged by machines with a high price tag, or frustrated by machines with flimsy plastic construction or glitchy operation, I think that there's value in trying a vintage machine. They work well, they're cheap, and they're everywhere! I want people to know that ANYONE can try machine sewing at home!