It is a curious thing how deeply rooted we can get in a country. Not only on an emotional level, but also on many un-thought-of physical levels are we connected to our past, our heritage, our particular ways and cultures of doing things. It is incredible that after more than three years in Australia, we are still replacing wall sockets on appliances. Yes, the transition wasn't urgent in some cases, we probably didn't use some as often as others that were immediately chopped off and converted to Aussie plugs, but some just didn't ask for a facelift, like my grandmother's faithful 1950's Necchi sewing machine.
It probably isn't so strange that an old vintage lady like her preferred to maintain the status quo, as I understood unconsciously and without discussion, but today I decided that was that, I'm getting tired of going on a hunt for the one remaining South-African adaptor in the domestic circuit every time I need to make a few stitches. So the old lady had her wire ends stripped of more than 60 years worth of patina, and rewired in a grey Aussie plug to match her stately lead. Voilà!
The old girl has done some surprisingly good work over the many years I have very proudly inherited her. I sewed my first own garments as a teenager, made evening dresses for myself and clients, and even a wedding dress and tailored groom's outfit for a close friend. Almost like my granny was also there, my Necchi very loyally helped make concert costumes for my children, and watched with a smile, I imagine. She knows the frustration of tention problems and broken bobbin threads, and patiently stood by me when sewing projects coincided with emotional turmoil, Zululand humidity and late nights.
I'm hugely impressed by the longevity of the stately old girl, and how well she managed my many moves within South Africa, and then all the way to Australia. I can't help feeling that this new plug is a bit like a pacemaker, a hip replacement or a heart transplant to an aged person. New options, new energy, new zest for life. A toast to Italian engineering and old school quality, and to many more happy and creative hours of sewing!
It probably isn't so strange that an old vintage lady like her preferred to maintain the status quo, as I understood unconsciously and without discussion, but today I decided that was that, I'm getting tired of going on a hunt for the one remaining South-African adaptor in the domestic circuit every time I need to make a few stitches. So the old lady had her wire ends stripped of more than 60 years worth of patina, and rewired in a grey Aussie plug to match her stately lead. Voilà!
The old girl has done some surprisingly good work over the many years I have very proudly inherited her. I sewed my first own garments as a teenager, made evening dresses for myself and clients, and even a wedding dress and tailored groom's outfit for a close friend. Almost like my granny was also there, my Necchi very loyally helped make concert costumes for my children, and watched with a smile, I imagine. She knows the frustration of tention problems and broken bobbin threads, and patiently stood by me when sewing projects coincided with emotional turmoil, Zululand humidity and late nights.
I'm hugely impressed by the longevity of the stately old girl, and how well she managed my many moves within South Africa, and then all the way to Australia. I can't help feeling that this new plug is a bit like a pacemaker, a hip replacement or a heart transplant to an aged person. New options, new energy, new zest for life. A toast to Italian engineering and old school quality, and to many more happy and creative hours of sewing!
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