Mum's Sewing Machine

She sits in a corner of the maid’s room – worn, dusty and dull…a relic of the years gone by. Yes, it’s mum’s trusty Singer sewing machine. She was once the prized possession of the house; with a gleaming veneer finish, well-oiled and ready to rumble when there are things to be sewn. The apron that I had made as part of my school project, the curtains I sewed for Hari Raya, even the tent dress that was the rage 40 years ago – these were some of the products proudly turned out by that machine.

I can still conjure images of mum in her younger days, sewing her kain batek or baju Kedah, sometimes late into the night…cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck… the sound of the foot pedal breaking the silence of the night. We would always be anxious to see the finished product.

Then there were the repairs to be done – torn school uniforms (my sisters and I only got a pair each year; to be worn until they were no longer in presentable condition) and out-of-date dresses to be given a refreshing look!

Today, I had a piece of batik that needed to be stitched, to be used for prayers. It was a simple task – just straight sewing – no creativity needed here! I was pleasantly surprised to find the sewing machine still in working condition; albeit a little noisy. As I pedalled away, my thoughts drifted back to the good old days when life was simpler, we would wear what mum sewed for us and the machine would be most busy with the approaching Hari Raya.

Today, it sits quietly in the corner, waiting for that rare occasion when someone would have something to sew….just like in the twilight years of one’s life…waiting for that rare occasion to be useful and appreciated again….sigh!