My number one gal and the center of it all! This 1950’s zig-zag sewing machine lives in my apartment next to a wedding photo of the previous owners Mr. and Mrs. Donald Ulness. A couple of my most favorite possessions left from my greatly missed, but dearly remembered grandparents.
But there’s a WHOLE lot more to this story… she’s kind of a big deal.
Let me start from the beginning.
DO YOU BELIEVE IN DIVINE TIMING?!
We were at the VERY beginning stages of linyage, still defining exactly WHAT this new venture was and if it was the right decision and worth the risk. I was beyond thrilled to be sewing one of our VERY FIRST dresses when my sewing machine clunked to a halt. Yep, you got it. No amount of prodding, shaking, or rethreading could get that babe back in motion. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I was full on panicked. I had a deadline to meet for a BRIDE, (no pressure at all) no backup machine, and I had no idea what I was going to do. The past year had been a complete dumpster fire (broke my leg, moved home from NY, unemployed, living in my parents basement to name a few) and this put me into a spiral thinking this venture was just another misstep.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Hear me out - this moment became SO defining of our story in so many ways! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This 1950 Elna sewing machine was one of the only things left to me by my grandparents. I honestly didn’t know they had it, or even sewed for that matter. This BEAUTIFUL relic had been sitting on my bookshelf as a sentiment but I had never actually taken it for a test drive. Being so old I assumed it was in disrepair. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I pulled her off the shelf, moved her to my sewing table and threw up a Hail Mary. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Ohhhh yeahhhh folks. To my complete and utter surprise, she worked. She beyond worked! She ran like butter. THIS WAS A SIGN!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ My grandparents left me a tool and a means to create my future. And man, do I think that’s pretty darn special! Anything that is not stitched by my hands is sewn on this girl and she’s never wavered once! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ There will always be challenges. I’m not saying wait for a ‘sign’ to solve what’s in front of you, just remember to be BRAVE and be RESOURCEFUL and be extra grateful when those REALLY special things happen.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The way I see it, is I have two guardian angels.
A few noteworthy side notes that may peek your interest…
Curious to learn more about my machine, I hauled it down to the local sewing shop where the gentleman told me that he just happened to be an Elna expert. I mean really?! What are the odds. He travels to yearly conventions and said he’d never seen this model in such good condition before. The Zig Zag was one of the most popular models for housewives in the 1950s (the first model to have a zig zag stitch) and with the era, a ton of home sewing was done so the belts are usually completely worn out and replacements are nearly impossible to come by. To both of our surprise, he assured me that Elna was tip top and I could look forward to many good years ahead! I don’t know about you but I think it’s all pretty wild!
