First of all, thank you all so much for so many kind words of support over this past year, while I have periodically freaked out over my sister Claudia's health issues. I've been so concerned about her, and it really helped to have people be so kind. Unlike my mom, who never told anyone for years that she had MS, I'm not the kind of person who can keep that all bottled up inside; it helps me to get it out.
Anyway, Claudia had her final surgery yesterday: she'd been sick with a dreadful cold and fever, and we were all worried that they might even put off this last surgery, and she'd have to wait even longer, so we're all very relieved that she was able to have the surgery, and now she can finally start to feel like she's moving forward without tons of difficult things to face. I'm so happy for her and so proud of her. Many, many thanks!!
I've mentioned before that when we were growing up, my mom and my sisters, (Mary Kate and Claudia,) and I would often spend hours on end in the basement of our house.
Why, you might well ask?
Well, we were all avid seamstresses, and in our basement, we had several sewing machines, along with an ironing board, dressers, and drawers overflowing with patterns; hanging racks with piles of fabrics, a radio, and a washer and dryer. For someone who sewed, it was like being in a candy store.
We thought nothing of whipping up a new outfit one night and being able to wear it the following day. My mother had so many clothes, and was a beautiful seamstress. We all taught ourselves to sew and loved making new things. In fact, I would probably still sew all my clothes today if it wasn't a lot more expensive than it used to be, and if stores carried more fabrics that weren't primarily meant for making curtains and pillows!
I have fond memories of us heading down to that basement: talking and commiserating with one another when something we were making wasn't going quite as we'd hoped.
I hadn't thought about that basement for a long time, but I found myself remembering some of those days while Claudia was sick over this past year...
"Asking a seamstress to mend is like asking Michelangelo to paint your garage." (--Unknown)
11 comments:
I, too, was a sewer - more from necessity than anything else - and it was wonderful when something was finished and turned out great! However, I often made perfectly lovely garments that did NOT flatter me in any way! Chalk it up to youth and misunderstanding my own figure. I limit my sewing now to household goods and craft quilts!
Your basement time sounds precious!
Such wonderful memories to lift you up in times of stress! Out of something not so good comes the reminder and reliving of good times!
I sewed, but my mother was the star as it was her passion. Still, good memories there as well.
Great news about your sister.
Beautiful watercolors! I've never been very good at sewing but I admire the skill. I still love dress forms and fabric though.
We had a sewing room that I remember in detail. And I still use my grandmother's gunmetal Pfaff while Peggy has the oak cabinet Steve's father made to hold it. Thanks for the reminder that others share a sewing history, too.
Glad to hear Claudia's finished with those surgery hurdles. May the coming of Spring bring more good cheer!
Jeanette, I imagine you would be an awesome seamstress. You're a Renaissance Woman to begin with!
Laure, thanks--my mom was the star, too. She sewed beautifully.
Gina, I'm with you--I could live in a fabric shop and I've always loved those dress forms: especially the older ones!
Carolyn, I'll bet you guys did some fabulous sewing! I hope YOUR sister is doing ok. She has been in my thoughts as well. XOXO
How I wish I could sew. I once got so far as cutting out the pattern for an A-line skirt: that about finished me.
I have a project--long put off!--to sew slipcovers for my rattan sofa's cushions (currently a ghastly floral) ... so daunting, but I'd best get to it before spring arrives and other (long put off) projects beckon.
Another cross-crafter! I find that any other creative activity - sewing, crocheting, knitting, even making bread sort of pollinates the ideas for and about art.
Check out fabric.com - just a fabulous site with lots of fabric for many applications, not the least of are curtains and slipcovers. I think I keep them in business.
Glad to hear that your sister is doing better.
Laura, the very first thing I ever made had sleeves to fit in, a long zipper, and matching of stripes--if I'd only known how hard that was going to be never having made anything else before...you have to laugh...
Jan, thanks--Claudia is moving forward! Yay!
I'll have to check out the site you mentioned here. I used to shop in NYC and get great buys on fabric as a kid and I bought fabric in Paris once at Galleries Lafayette years ago.
Are you familiar with Spoonflower.com? They put your artwork on fabric! It's great fun, too, for some projects. Thanks for the comments!
Oh wow.. I wish I had grown up with your family. I loved to sew too. what an awesome memory. I quit sewing my clothes some years ago when they changed the patterns to multi sizes. That made it hard for me no long did a size ten fit right, and it did get more expensive. There used to be a pantern store on every corner and in every department store and now you lucky to find one store in your town.
So happy your sister is done and moving forward. Three cheers for Claudia! So glad you did let us in on this and it helped you get thru it. I think its the hardest on the loved one waiting.
So pleased to hear good news about your sister. I come from a family of sewers, my mom and three sisters were fantastic, my efforts always ended in the scraps box - but such fond memories, and my daughter is now a fashion designer! I love these sketches of dress forms - the bottom one especially should be a logo for a designer!
Thanks so much, Cris and Cathy! Very kind of you.
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