Before 1920, women could not vote in every state in the United States. Women have only claimed their right to full citizenship in this country for ninety short years. I hope that all who are reading this did not take that right and privilege for granted this year!
In this image, Alice Paul is sewing a final star to a banner. Each star represents a state that ratified the Nineteenth Amendment to our Constitution, finally granting women the right to vote across the nation. I know that this doesn't have much to do with the subject matter of this blog, but I figured that since this picture depicts historical costume and has sewing in it, you all would forgive me.
To learn more about women's suffrage, I recommend checking out the film Iron Jawed Angels.
I have just learned that it is National Blog Posting Month. They are even kind enough to offer prompts to get your creative juices flowing. Granted, it is likely that most of the prompts won't exactly fit the subject matter of this blog, I might be able to adapt them as needed. For example, the first prompt is:
What toy from your childhood do you still have in your possession?
So, in that vein...
When I was five years old, I received my first sewing machine. It was a real, working sewing machine on a small scale, intended for small repairs, quick hems, etc. I loved it and used it all the time, mostly for sewing little purses. I've always had a thing about hand bags. My family even (affectionately?) referred to me as "the bag lady".
I no longer have that sewing machine, but the gift of that sewing machine has lived with me throughout my life and I have always remembered it and have always been grateful for it.
Recently, I bought a sewing machine as a present for a little five-year-old friend of mine. I hope it is a fraction as useful, fun, and inspiring to her as mine was to me!
Singer makes a few real, working machines in miniature... here are just a few to check out for the little ones in your life: Totally Me! Deluxe Child's Machine It might be tempting to get a less expensive machine for a young person, but the better machines will stand up to more abuse from unskilled hands and last them longer until they are ready for a full-size machine. I've never met anyone who regretted learning to sew and met many who did regret never learning! This is truly a gift that lasts a lifetime.
Before 1920, women could not vote in every state in the United States. Women have only claimed their right to full citizenship in this country for ninety short years. I hope that all who are reading this did not take that right and privilege for granted this year!
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