With the holidays comes those memories of long ago Christmases. It also brings back memories of my mom. Mom left this world 40 years ago. She left this life while I was just becoming an adult.
Since she’s been gone so long, I don’t think of her a whole bunch. I do have a picture of her and dad in my studio, but it is really this time of the year when she walks through my mind.
Just the other day I was thinking about how when I was a child, I used to go shopping with her. She loved this neat store, Grant’s, that was just a couple blocks from our home. Grant’s had all kinds of things, but what she loved was the fabric.
She’d spend what seemed like hours “ooohing and aahing” over all of the fabric. I would often mock her excitement to anyone who would ask what we did that day.
Mom made most of my clothes and she was pretty good. In high school, I always had a lot of clothes. Mom would buy a pattern and then purchase a variety of fabrics. She’d make me five or six dresses from that pattern and they would all look different. Well, back then I didn’t think they looked that different. I didn’t really appreciate her sewing skills until prom time came and we’d go shopping for prom dresses. When we found one we both liked we’d leave the store empty handed. She’d go back to Grants, pick up some fabric and sew me that dress. That’s when I became amazed at her sewing skills.
I asked her several times to teach me to sew. She’d say, “No one taught me. You just need to learn on your own.” I took a couple classes locally but I just never could get it. Of course, that was way before the Internet.
I’m still not very good with the sewing machine. Even though I don’t share her sewing skills, I share her love of fabric. I also “ooh and aah” when I look at fabric.
When we were on vacation I bought these beautiful fabrics. When I’m home I scour the thrift stores and the flea market malls for that perfect piece.
Just last week I found this fabric for $1.50. There is over 3 yards. This is the kind of fabric I’d like to design. It’s a heavy weight fabric that would make great aprons, journal covers and even curtains.
I just couldn’t pass up this old linen tablecloth for a $1.
I bought these vintage pieces some time this year. I don’t remember what I paid for them but I thought they were way cool.
We’ve been using cloth napkins for a couple years now. They are so easy to find and they are so pretty. These are some of them that I bought that aren’t being used as napkins.
In the 60s these “blankets” were real popular. I had several of them and at that time we hung them on the wall and used them on the bed. I love the colors in this one.
These are just a few of my bargains I picked up this year. These and all of my dyed fabric grace the shelves in my studio. I really love the hunt for great bargains. I also love dyeing and stamping making a plain fabric my own.
I did put in my first zippers this year making those little bags out of my paint cloth and dyed fabric. So that was a big step. I also made some potholders and bags for veggies. But what I want to do this next year is use my ole Elna more and make lots of things with all of this wonderful fabric. If you have any suggestions for any of these fabrics, I’d love to hear from you. Oh, and what do you want to do more of next year?
I can think of somebody that could use a nice apron for the kitchen! 😉
I can so relate to this post. My mother was also a master seamstress – she even sewed the canvas top for a pop-up trailer, with no pattern and on an old treadle machine! She also had no patience for teaching me.
I don’t sew as much as I used to, but still feel like a recovering alcoholic at a bar when I go into a fabric store!! I have to fondle everything and begin to think about maybe making something. I too have an old Elna that I used to love – I’m going to take it in for repairs after the holidays .
I may not do much sewing, but the love of fabric never seems to diminish!
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Deb, So glad to hear that I’m not the only one who’s mom didn’t have patience to teach sewing. I love that “recovering alcoholic at a bar” since that’s oh, so true. When we were in New Mexico, I wanted to buy up all of the beautiful fabric. Glad you’re going to take your Elna in after the holidays. I look forward to see what you are going to be making in the new year. Hubby has already put in a request for an apron!
I have to fondle everything and begin to think about maybe making something. I too have an old Elna that I used to love – I’m going to take it in for repairs after the holidays
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Hi Lynda, It makes me sad to learn that your mother has been gone for so long. You missed out on so much with her.
I love that first cloth you showed…it looks like something I might paint….
Lynda,
This is a wonderful post. There must be a few of us out there who enjoy the experience of shopping in a fabric store. I remember spending hours in a fabric store on N.Main St. one wall had many wooden drawers that held buttons. Opening each drawer was like opening a Christmas present. I learned to sew at Singer Sewing Center in Downtown Evansville, IN back in the 60’s. I also used one pattern to make several outfits to wear to school. My daughter has no interest in learning to sew but there is still hope for my 7 yr old grand daughter.
Ronda, That was Bayer (not spelled right) wasn’t it? They had a wall of button drawers. Neat place. I don’t remember the Singer Sewing Center. Thanks for commenting.
I can totally relate. I love fabric!! I can hardly resist it at a thrift store or garage sale. I don’t buy much straight off the bolt. I get sticker shock. 🙂
We had an old Elna machine when I was a little girl that had a mind of its own. When I learned to sew in Home Ec in school, my dad went out and bought a new Elnita. I still have it! My mom hates to sew. 🙂
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You got it! I wasn’t sure of the spelling either. Perhaps…A.B.Baer?
The Singer Sewing Center was on Main St. Same side of street as Lowes/Victory Theater. Across the street about 3 doors from the corner. The Planters Peanut Shop was just next to them. Hard to resist roasted peanuts when the aroma is wafting in the air!
Happy Holidays…enjoy the season.
Make quilts! Easy to do if you can stitch a straight line!