Mais Oui Stories – How an Interior Design Project Gave My Mother’s Sewing Machine New Life
My mother’s sewing machine sat across from the foot of my bed in my childhood home in rural Jamaica for as long as I could remember.
She rarely used it; but, I knew it was special to her.
It was fascinating to watch her pump the pedal with her feet and turn the wheel on the side of the top of machine at the same time only to see the needle at the head of the machine bob up and down like a racehorse as it deposited a row of perfectly spaced stitches on whatever she was sewing.
I have no idea why I felt such a connection to the machine.
Maybe it was because it was so seldom used that I thought of it as a family treasure, or because it was in my room, or because they don’t make sewing machines like those anymore. Maybe it’s because I like preserving Jamaica’s heritage and culture. Or maybe it’s just because it was my mom’s.
I had this idea that the base of the machine would make a great base for a custom-designed entrance table.
By the time I asked my mom for the machine, she had donated it to her church so that their Women’s Federation could use it for some of their sewing projects. She couldn’t ask them back for it so that was the end of that.
Over the years though, I would ask her about the machine. She thought I was crazy.
“What do you want with that old thing? Don’t you have anything better to do?”, she would say.
The Women’s Federation became defunct and I knew they weren’t possibly using that machine for anything.
I implored my Dad to figure out how to get it back for me.
I could tell he was reluctant; but, he also knew I was like a dog with a bone with this one.
By happenstance, I visited Things Jamaica at Devon House in Kingston in September 2018. They had an interesting display of wooden tables and I knew I had to meet this artist.
After much effort, I tracked him down.
His name is Gary Rodriguez from Naychuz Art Works in Kingston.
He sent over some pictures of his work. One picture made me almost spill my tea!
My first reaction was that this was a gift from God. But alas, it was not for sale. It was not even available.
I knew I had found the person who I needed to meet.
I wanted my mother’s sewing machine even more.
My dad came to see me at the villa on October 25, 2018 – yes, the date is etched in my memory.
He said to me,” I have a surprise for you.”
I wanted to believe it was the machine but since the quest for the machine had become a running joke between us, I thought he was just teasing me.
To my utter amazement, there was the remnant of my mother’s machine. The top was totally rotted and was in fragments. The head of the machine was recognizable but badly rusted. The pedal still worked but the frame was cracked. It was in total shambles; but, I was elated.
And, I called Mr. Rodriguez, who was equally excited. Thankfully, he only needed the frame and that was all I had.
(If you live in Jamaica and are reading this, Mr. Rodriguez is looking for an old church organ to restore. He doesn’t care whether it is working or not. I would really love to help him find one.)
So, this is what I gave Mr. Rodrigues….
And this was what he gave me in return ….
And in case you were wondering, the church did quite well with the exchange 
My mom’s sewing machine is now a work of art, a testament to the creativity of the Jamaican people – and in particular to the artistic talent of Gary Rodriquez.
His company, Naychuz Art, is all about showcasing the beauty of what is already beautiful – Nature. And he is succeeding.
The sewing machine, now transformed to a statement piece at the entrance of the villa has found a new home. This accidental interior design project has also brought back such wonderful memories of my childhood and of my mother, Ruby, who coincidentally was the villa’s manager from 2000 to 2016.
Think and dream Jamaica!
Sherry, Darrell, and Darrian
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