What Have You Acquired From Family?

[I Adore Film Noir]

http://snapped-garters.blogspot.com/2010/12/1938-kenmore-rotary-deluxe.html

My grandmother's 1938 sewing machine. She used into the 1970s (the decade she died) and then my mom would ocassionally use it into the early/mid 80s. Then it went into hibernation for about 25 years until I rescued it from that dark closet and breathed new life into it. I got it fixed and it works fine. I even dropped it once and it made no impact on it whatsoever. I'm sure if I dropped my modern Brother machine it would shatter into a million pieces. lol

The machine I inherited from Mom is similar to yours. It's a brand called Domestic and it's from 1948. The machine is brown metal and the cabinet has three drawers on the right hand side. Mom was one of the "homesewers" for the Vogue Doll Company line of Ginny doll garments. I still have some of the items.

I've had the machine serviced once and the technician said "This machine will outlast both of us."

 

[Miss Sis]

I was very lucky that when my Nana died my Mother was in charge of distributing the household effects, so I was able to box up many things that had belonged not just to my Nana but also many family members before her! I was a terrifically nosey child so thankfully I had info about most of the things in her cupboards. lol.

Among my favourite things is a 40s dress of black crepe with a dusky pink yoke overlaid with black lace that I am amazed fits me, as my Nan was short and busty, I am tall and, um, not that busty. I have a much later, perhaps late 50s/early 60s head and shoulders pic of her wearing it but sadly it's not a good pic of her. I suspect that she might have even bought it second hand, as she told me she did sometimes do that, being a widow of limited means.

My other favourite thing is a bedroom suite of two beds, dressing table, stool and small cupboard made circa 1910 for my Nana's spinster Aunt by her brother in law, a talented carpenter. It is the most beautiful wood, I am told Australian Maple (?) in a lovely simple Arts and Crafts style and the dressing table has a wonderful huge mirror. I was allowed it on the condition that I never sell it. It lives with my Mum in New Zealand, so I can't take a photo of it. It has the original material covering the stool and matching bedspreads in a pale blue striped brocade, as well as some other peachy coloured brocade covers which I always remember being on my Nana's bed when I was little. Seeing it reminds me so much of my Nana to whom I was very close, so I feel very lucky to be the keeper of it until it gets passed along to the next person.

 

[DigThatBeat]

One of my grandmothers gave me a red and black gingham dress from the 60s, the other gave me a 1940s Avon powder jar. Unfortunately the dress does not fit me but I have it hanging on my closet door, motivating me to lose weight.

 

[ThePowderKeg]

One of my grandmothers gave me a gold sequin bolero she bought when she was about 20, around 1935. Miraculously, it fits me. I've worn it a few times on very special occasions. That grandmother wore hideous plaid pants for my entire life, so knowing she wore something so glamorous and saved it because she loved it so much--even though it was completely outside her normal style--makes me feel like I know a secret about her. From that grandmother I also inherited some gorgeous bookshelves and a gothic-looking deacon's bench with lion's feet and lion's head arms. I have my other grandmother's sugar bowl, a pink glass thing with a folding chrome lid she swiped from a diner. I have a ton of great photographs and silverware and china, too, but the bolero and the sugar bowl are my favorites.

 

[Foofoogal]

I just posted on my blog about now probably my most important family heirloom. My mothers swan and this from my mother in law.

 

[TheLibrarian]

Good lord, if I had to list it all we'd be here until next week!

Most of my furniture, assorted decorative objects, a lot of jewelry, some linens, embroidery, toys and stuffed animals, a whole collection of gloves and handkerchiefs, all three of my sewing machines (only two of which are vintage) along with patterns and fabric, books (a LOT of books), china, silver, crystal, and even my grandmother's muffin tins.

My favorite is the desk that belonged to Ichabod Crane. Or, more accurately, to the man who was the model for Ichabod Crane. It's also the desk that Martin Van Buren used when he wrote the letter accepting his party's nomination for the presidency. I used it while I was working on my graduate degree in history in the hopes that Cousin Martin might provide some inspiration.

And, of course, I inherited the 1951 Packard that I no longer own, as well as Packard parts, Packard advertising, Packard manuals, Packard paraphernalia, and a bunch of Packard buddies.

I'm from a good New England Yankee family. We never throw anything away.

(Reading the list again I realize it makes it sound like my house is overflowing with stuff. It really isn't - I just downsized to a house 800 square feet smaller than my old one, and it all fits just fine.)

 

[Johnnysan]

This was my Italian grandmother's paiolo - a cooking pot traditionally used to prepare polenta. It is made of hand-worked copper with a forged iron handle. I'm not sure how many generations it goes back, but it was one of the items that my Nona brought with her from Italy and it continues to be cherished. Now for that polenta with roast pork...

 

[Smuterella]

Aside from a few genetic abnormailites and a tendency towards dipsomania, absolutely nothing.

 

[LandGirl1980]

Poke all.

I found out in the summer that my Nan had the Singer sewing machine, that I had been coveting my whole life, taken .... I can't even say it....

down.. the... tip.

I nearly vomitted in the pond. She was very upset as she had forgotten that I wanted it and much apologising and "no, Nan, it's ok, honestly" ensued.

 

[Fatal Red]

Family Things

I don't want to spam with too many pictures, so I'll list my favorite things. ^.^

These three cups are from my maternal great grandmother. I have loved her china collection since childhood and received these after she passed. The hankies are all from my boyfriend's grandmother.

This lamp was my maternal grandmother's, then my mother's, and now mine (they are both still alive, btw). We call it "the noisy lamp" because any movement near it will cause it to wobble and squeak. I can't bring myself to tighten it up because of all of the memories that sound brings back. I don't know how old it id, though. Can anyone give a guess?

This belonged to another great grandmother of mine. The inside has been painted a minty green. I also have no idea how old it is or where it came from.

This was my grandmother's rocker, and one of my great grandmother's before (I'm not sure which). I have no idea how old this is, either.

And finally, my favorite, the salvaged remains of a china set that was my great grandmother Marie's. This is only one cup and saucer so you can see the style and design. Unfortunately I only have a handful of cups left. I do have most everything else, though!

Sorry if there are too many pictures, or if they are too large. Please let me know and I will correct it!

 

[martinsantos]

My great grandmother had one very similar, to make polenta too - and a similar story, brought from Italy too. An enormous amount of it and, for a while, almost everyday, as my grandfather used to tell.

This was my Italian grandmother's paiolo - a cooking pot traditionally used to prepare polenta. It is made of hand-worked copper with a forged iron handle. I'm not sure how many generations it goes back, but it was one of the items that my Nona brought with her from Italy and it continues to be cherished. Now for that polenta with roast pork...

 

[Drappa]

Oh no! I really feel your pain. My grandmother had a glorious Singer Treadle table that I would love to have now, but it has disappeared. It was in my childhood bedroom and then the basement. She passed away when I was 15 and I moved to different countries so much that I couldn't have taken it until now, but it still saddens me.

Poke all.

I found out in the summer that my Nan had the Singer sewing machine, that I had been coveting my whole life, taken .... I can't even say it....

down.. the... tip.

I nearly vomitted in the pond. She was very upset as she had forgotten that I wanted it and much apologising and "no, Nan, it's ok, honestly" ensued.

 

[Drappa]

I don't have a photo yet, nor have I seen it, but my MIL just called me tonight. My husband's great aunt, who is 86 this year, has just moved form her own apartment to a home and her place is being cleaned out by my in-laws. MIL found an old sewing machine and a footstool that opens up and turns out to be a sewing box, and she offered me both! I will be getting them in two weeks, but am so excited! She doesn't know anything about sewing machines, but said it was an old Singer machine and came in a wooden box, hooray! I have wanted a back-up machine for a while, and if this works it will be pretty and useful.

 

[AtomicEraTom]

My entire bedroom set, a 1956 Bassett in blonde that my grandparents bought new.
A console TV my parents bought new in 1987.
My gone with the wind lamps in my living room.
A tin toy car from the 60's that was my dad's.

 

[Miss sofia]

Grandads watch and WW11 hand-warmer (Probably my most precious items).
Deco lidded pot with horses on - my nan used to keep sugar in it, and when i was a kid my Grandad used to do a magic trick where i would open it and there would be a sugar lump sitting on top of the sugar all for me!
My Grans pyrex dishes, flowered enamel plates and various kitchen untensils (which i remember usiing to bake with her when i was a kid, so i snaffled those pretty quick before they went to the charity shop and use them everyday).
Lovely Art Nouveau wardrobe
Victorian marble and pine tiled washstand of my Great Aunts.
Grans forties evening bag, with matching compact.
Grans pearls, wedding ring and cameo brooch.
Various china services and bits of silverware.
Doilies and linen.


I am very lucky i know, but my brother and sisters had no interest in anything of my grandparents when they died, so my parents gave me free rein to take what i pleased. We were very close my grandparents and i, so i treasure everything i have and it keeps the memories of them alive for me. (Trying not to be too mawkish about it all, but i miss them desperately, twenty years on).

 

[PADDY]

A hot water bottle warmer used over the western front by a close family member who served in the RFC during the Great War.
A full dining table and chairs from the 20's/30's (Nouveau meets Deco style).
Great grandfather's half hunter pocket watch and gold key fob (for the chain).
Grandfather's pipes and pipe rack.
Uncle's brass halifax bomber desk piece (he flew in them during the war).

 

[I Adore Film Noir]

All of Mom's jewelry, including a 1932 Italian Rose gold watch, a gift from her Godparents.
All of Gram's china, glass and linens including a blue glass shaker cocktail set.

 

[martinsantos]

My family always saved a lot of things - so a lot came to me. Forniture (made by my grandfather, as one radio set) to books, some photo equipment, all photos, all records, and so on.

Hauseweare, clothing, etc, I permited to be with my sisters...

(just kidding. I'm the only one who really have interest about old things. And make me to remember a lot my grandparents!)

 

[Mr. Hallack]

Well a lot of stuff my parents had is still with my brother in California. He is not interested in a lot of it (various antiques) but is saving it so I can haul it back to Maine, eventually.

From my paternal grandparents, tons of old pictures that I need to organize and preserve on disc, and their senior year High School yearbooks. Nothing from my maternal grandparents, they lived in Brazil and what they owned stayed in the country.

 

[MikeBravo]

My great grandmother had one very similar, to make polenta too - and a similar story, brought from Italy too. An enormous amount of it and, for a while, almost everyday, as my grandfather used to tell.

Apparently after the war there was not much to eat in Italy apart from polenta. Many people would have starved without it