here is me, age 9, wearing a dress mom made for me. there was also a red plaid with a lace-trimmed peter pan collar, both using a borrowed machine. the year was 1958 and she didn't own a machine until 1961. today that machine is still running like new and used by me.
nearly 67 years ago mom sent me to 4-H to learn to sew. she was busy with a toddler and a new baby and hadn't the time. once a week after school, the bus dropped me off at mrs. bryant's house; my dad picked me up later. using the singer teaching materials, i learned machine basics and how to guide the needle. homework consisted of an unthreaded needle following lined diagrammed papers of concentric circles or squares. mom often said she never dreamed this would ignite the spark of a life-long passion.
fast forward in the blink of an eye, going back to the machine in my grief has provided a desperately needed peace, thanks to a couple of quilty peeps with their own kind of fire. there were tears but phoebe didn't mind, she just kept on at a soothing, comforting pace, so what did i sew?
six more blue album blocks joined the pile, now grown to number 17....lots more to make of course, but they do sew up fast, after a marathon of block prep that is.
this is them....and what else?
was gifted a stack of BIG kaffe hexagons....most were warm colors but a few blue, so pulled them out to play with. my zoomer pals came up with a couple of ideas but thought i would start with this....found a few backgrounds in my personal kaffe stash to audition...my personal fave is the stripe...the two left backgrounds are way too light to compete with the big florals. i have enough of the stripe for the setting pieces, click on the photo to see up close and personal...in his december fabric release--kaffe fassett meets william morris--there is a lovely leaf print of white with a touch of magenta...can i hold off that long? oh, i think i have enough to keep me busy until then. stay tuned....
we are in a rainy spell again here...need to double efforts to stay out of an emotional sinkhole without the sunshine to cheer me. sending missives heavenward for comfort and cheer....
Kindred spirit. I learned to machine-sew through 4H, too. (And to make snickerdoodles.) Our project was an elastic-waist skirt in a green/white pincord (4H colors). And I just made a quilt with that same Kaffe print!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your story about sewing. My mother taught me to sew the summer before 7th grade. It truly was a gift.
ReplyDeleteAh, I was also taught to sew in 4-H. I can still see the skirt with a side zipper, and a waistband. It was a paisley print--mostly brown--on a cream background. I loved that skirt, even though I got judged harshly on some pencil marks that were left in the zipper area.
ReplyDeleteIt is good that the gift your mother gave you is helping you keep occupied as you process your grief.
That is a beautiful bunch of Kaffe hexagons. I agree that the striped fabric makes the best filler.
My Mom taught me to knit when I was young and then when I was 16, I learned to sew at school. My first project at school was a plaid skirt that I chose to make. Why choose something so hard, my Mom asked? Why not! LOL Just look at what I do now! So glad to see you back to sewing. The rhythm is so soothing. Those hexies are nice and blue and the stripe is my choice too.
ReplyDeleteI'm sending some virtual sunbeams your way! Your projects are pretty and I do understand, so well, the need to keep occupied and busy; I pray for you each day. I love your story and your precious connection to that machine. My mother made me a few dresses too, I'm going to dig for those photos; I remember a red calico with a miniscule cotton lace trimming the neckline; I believe that might be a class picture from 6th grade. I learned to sew in 7th grade home-ec; had a sweet and patient teacher. After that my mother bought a Singer Golden Touch & Sew (1965-ish) that was just like the ones we used in class. I took the free classes that the Singer store offered with the purchase and came home and taught Mom everything that I had learned! :) Sweet memories.
ReplyDeleteCan totally tell it is you!
ReplyDeleteI love the way you are putting it together like that with the striped fabric!
I can so relate to learning to sew from a teacher. My mother would not have the first clue how to sew and no interest. She could see I had an interest so in 2nd grade I made a quilt with the instruction/help of my teacher. So grateful that I learned a skill that has brought me a lifetime of joy. My mother gave me free reign on her never used White sewing machine. Love the Kaffe fabric, so fabulous!
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