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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: TVinc1988
Date: 07-14-2004, 02:41 PM (1 of 12)
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I have visited here often but just registered. My mother died on June 21, 2004 at the age of 97. She loved to sew clothes for us. I was her youngest child of seven. I remember being captivated when I was seven years old, watching her sew a wardrobe for my oldest sister to go away to college. I especially remember a dark blue taffeta dress with a tight waist and a big, full circle skirt (this was in 1956). I remember the sound of the fabric as she sewed, and her sense of pleasure as she finished it. Of the five girls in our family two of us took sewing as our own hobby. Happily I was able to sew my mother a Stretch and Sew shirt with velcro closings for her arthritic fingers in 1999. She was a difficult person, often unhappy about many things, but usually happy when sewing. I wish she could have enjoyed the sewing scene nowadays with boards like this, and sewing conventions. So many of us around the world pick up a piece of fabric, a pattern and the well chosen thread to make something beautiful, or not so beautiful sometimes, but always something real and lasting. It is fun, soothing and creative and I always think of my mother when I'm sewing and am grateful she introduced me to this craft. Thank you for reading this. If you pray, say a little prayer for my mother's passing to a more peaceful place. Tish |
User: TVinc1988
Member since: 07-14-2004 Total posts: 1 
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From: plrlegal
Date: 07-14-2004, 02:56 PM (2 of 12)
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Tish thank you for sharing with us about your mother and welcome to sew-whats-new. We're a friendly group here and yes, the one thing we all have in common is our love of fabric and sewing and also I wish to express my sympathy to you and your family in the passing of your mother. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: MaryW
Date: 07-14-2004, 06:13 PM (3 of 12)
Tish, welcome to Sew Whats New.  Your mother was a lucky lady to have a daughter like you. Such a wonderful tribute. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: shirleyp
Date: 07-14-2004, 08:04 PM (4 of 12)
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Tish, It is always good when we get something that is made by someone's hands. My mother didn't sew much but my grandmother crocheted alot and made all of her daughters a crocheted bed cover. Queen size. I was thrilled when my mother passed it on to me. I have always felt handmade items are a labour of love. What a beautiful tribute to your mother. |
User: shirleyp
Member since: 02-12-2002 Total posts: 352 
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From: paroper
Date: 07-14-2004, 08:06 PM (5 of 12)
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No matter the age, we are never ready to loose the ones we love. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this sad time.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: blackie
Date: 07-14-2004, 10:14 PM (6 of 12)
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My mom sewed ever since she was young. She is a wonderful seamstress, creative and tastefull. As a child, she sewed all my Halloween costumes, which always looked so much better than the storebought junk everyone else had. When I was in middle school she tried to get me interested in sewing but it was always a battle when I sewed with her. I was too easily impatient. But after the birth of my first child I became interested again. Using her machine, I made my first quilt (a gift to my then-boyfriend, now husband). Mom quickly bought me a machine, in hopes I would continue. I have been doing better and better. I sew for my kids and my friends' kids and yes, have just begun sewing for myself once in a while. I love it. Now I sew more than my mom does! In fact, my sewing has re-inspired her to make the time. We love sharing project ideas and talking about sewing. She is happier about my sewing than just about anything else. Well, that and the grandkids I gave her.  Thank you for sharing, Tish. see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: Karebear
Date: 07-15-2004, 06:04 PM (7 of 12)
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Tish... beautifully said.. My mother showed me the way of Singer as well.. She made all of my clothes.. the pinafore (sp) was the thing that I can truly remember as my mother's calling card... I had a pinafore for every event, different textures and colors. My mother worked full time. She was a single parent. She made sure that I knew how to sew, crochet, knit and cook!!!  It is funny that in my life today when I am trying to put in a zipper without it looking like staples holding it together, I can hear my mother's voice.. "Karen, maybe you should see if a hook and eye can remedy the closure of that garment!!!" Karen Karen
http://www.dancingwicks.com "If you want to build a ship, don't herd people together to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea." --Antoine de Saint-Exupery |
User: Karebear
Member since: 01-24-2002 Total posts: 338 
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From: Sewhappie
Date: 07-15-2004, 07:29 PM (8 of 12)
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I too have learned the love of sewing from my mother. I started making doll clothes at the age of 7 yrs. I remember one Christmas , I was 8 yrs old, my mom had been hom sick with broncitis(sp?) and could not talk at all. she managed to make three girl scout cookie cases crammed full of doll clothes for the doll family I got that year for Christmas. I still have the dolls and the clothes. My daughter didn't play with dolls much, but hopefully I will have a grand-daughter some day that will enjoy them. I have been sewing for 43 years now and still love it. I even worked a industrial seamstress for 14 yrs. |
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001 Total posts: 1427 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 07-18-2004, 09:39 AM (9 of 12)
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My mother-in-law died Friday. She never had any hobbies that I, or my husband, can remember. She didn't read, she didn't do anything creative, really. When she was younger she raised her kids and belonged to some social groups. She had lung cancer and suffered for about two years but I think it would have been easier -- except at the end -- if she had a reason to get up in morning besides watching television. Maybe she could have stayed stronger a little longer if she'd had a book to finish or a bit of needlepoint or knitting to make for someone before she died. It might have kept her going just a bit longer and made her just a bit less miserable. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: paroper
Date: 07-18-2004, 11:33 AM (10 of 12)
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My mother died after a long bout with Parkinsons...it was difficult watching her loose her mobility, no longer able to can or work in the yard and garden. As a career English teacher of 49 years, she became an avid reader and a cryptogram/crossword worker. She had a whole tribe of people who worked the crosswords and cryptogram in the morning paper with her over the phone. It was great. Eventually she lost her eyesite to the point she couldn't read or do crosswords and the calls stopped over time. Then, it got to the point that she couldn't play cards because she couldn't handle or see the cards. Because of loss of mobility, it became difficult to get out of the house and go to church. (She froze on me getting into the car after a doctor's office call in 10 degree weather...scared me to death....couldn't get her in, couldn't get her out, I was freezing and holding all her weight pretty much in mid-air. Thought we'd both die there). Sometimes the church Bible studies came to our house and we still hosted the extended family get-together at Christmas...but the last Christmas we couldn't even do that. It was hard on our family of five with teens in the house to watch Mom waste away over the seven year period. For all of you that have your parents, give them a big hug and kiss or a call. Tell them how much you care for them. Be grateful if they still have some life of their own regardless of how little it may be.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: MaryW
Date: 07-18-2004, 02:09 PM (11 of 12)
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I'm sorry for your loss Dorothy.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: DorothyL
Date: 07-19-2004, 07:54 AM (12 of 12)
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Please everybody -- QUIT SMOKING Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
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