With Mother’s Day just behind us I’m sure we’ve all been thinking about our moms and all they taught us. Some of you may have inherited your love for crafting from your mother.
One of my fondest crafting memories actually doesn’t involve painting at all (sorry group, you’ll just have to bear with me J). It’s actually a sewing memory. When I was a child, my mother sewed several outfits for my sister and me. (Yes, they were matching!) My mother learned how to sew from her mother.
I never picked up the sewing bug, but I did give it a whirl for a few months right after I graduated from college. I was working as a substitute teacher and living at home until I landed a “career job.” My grandmother’s health began to deteriorate at this time as well and she came to live with my family, too.
I wanted a new coat for the fall and had a particular style in mind, but couldn’t find what I was looking for in the stores. My mom suggested I sew the coat myself, so I did—with a lot of help from her. (The coat would still be hoodless without her intervention). My grandmother helped too, as much as she could. And she loved to watch me cut the fabric and work at the machine.
Things often felt cramped with four adults and two teenagers (my brother and youngest sister were still in high school) under one roof, but when I look back, I realize how special that extra time was with my family, especially the time with my grandmother. It really was a gift and a special season in my life. I’ll always cherish that coat (even if some of the seams aren’t straight and the button holes are a bit wonky) and the memories that were created while making it.
Jackie
I too, cherish the memories I have of making things with my mom. She was an artist too, so we were always doing something creative together. She taught me how to sew, too, just has her mother taught her. I started out small, making doll clohes! I still have a flannel gown my Grandma made for my doll about 45 years ago. She made us lots of doll clothes. In fact, I was teaching a painting class one time and the ladies started talking about doll clothes for some reason (we're always chatting and painting at the same time). One lady told us about when she was little her mom's friend, Leota, would bring her a doll dress every time she came to visit. Well I nearly fell out of my chair -- Leota was MY Grandma! .....Mom and Grandma are both gone now, but I am so blessed with the gifts they left me with. And I love to share my gifts with others, just as they did.
Kerry03:48 PM CST