The newfound popularity of craft items, sewing machines, canning kits, home appliances and home entertainment items all speak to this trend.

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In 1870, Mary Walker used her savings from years of sewing and caregiving to purchase a home near Harvard on Brattle Street.

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Mera and ex-husband Amancio Ortega founded the blockbuster Zara retail chain together, sewing dressing gowns and lingerie from their home.

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She worked hard all her life, sewing, gardening, and taking care of the home, until her body literally wore out.

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Ms. Blair spends months constructing the pieces in the workroom of her home in Louisville, a tidy space stocked with cutting tables, sewing machines and drawers of supplies stretching to the ceiling.

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The disappearing jobs list also reflects the continuing long-term decline of no- and low-skilled manufacturing jobs in the U.S.--sewing machine operators, engine assemblers, machine tool setters, home appliance repairers and textile knitting machine operators.

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The floods, however, damaged their home and washed away their livelihood two buffaloes, one calf, her sewing machine, and furniture.

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