barn sewin'

I hope you had a wonderful weekend! Ours was filled with more snow, but a little sun peeked out, so off I ran to the barn. My mother plumbed the upstairs for an eventual bathroom, with dreams of a claw foot tub in the open studio/ bedroom of the barn. We are still looking at this space as a work in progress. During her winter visit, we realized that just because she can't install the bathroom yet, doesn't mean that the designated corner can't be put to good use. Over night my mother worked her magic, and I'd love to share her new, if not temporary, sewing nook.

It's flooded with natural light and shares a wall with the bedroom portion of the studio... remember that great cast iron bed? Her sewing machine is the same one she's had since I was little. The same one she sewed all of my beautiful little hippie clothes on. The very same one she taught me to sew on. The same one my sister kidnapped to her room in high school and taught herself how to sew on! Don't you wish sewing machines could talk? Oh the stories, they could tell!

Well, my mother was snowed in and had to make do with what she had on hand. Her favorite challenge. How did she construct her perfect sewing table? With an antique ironing board and a Hoosier enamel counter top, of course.


She had an extra one or two in her shed... you never know when they'll come in handy! She still has an ironing board to spare for projects, but doesn't it make a wonderful display?


Do you remember that she collects... imagine the stash of vintage notions she must have!




How many patterns from the 3o's and 40's does one need? That old, metal pool locker might need a couple more, don't you think? The little sewing machine in the window was my Abuelita's (my mother's mother-in-law) and sits on top of its original wooden box. It still works!

How about a life time supply of thread?!

And don't forget needles! The little packets on the original green display are vintage Japanese needles... the tin is filled with every size imaginable.

Pincushions with history...


This was really fun... I'll be back tomorrow with a glimpse at how my mother is storing some of her fabric. Welcome to a new week!