When my sweet little granddaughter Amelia told me that she wanted to learn to sew, my heart skipped a beat as I replied, “that is wonderful.” She is almost 5 years old, so we will start on the things she can do now. It will be a couple of years before she can operate a sewing machine. The journey of sewing together will begin soon.
I learned to sew when I was a little girl. Mom made our clothes, and it always intrigued me how fabric was cut, pinned, and sewn into a wonderful garment. Mom started me and my sister on simple things so we could become familiar with needles, threads, and working the machine.
My first project was a hot-pink apron complete with lace medallions stitched on top. I still have that apron and take great pride in the gathers of the skirt. I don’t understand why I felt a cotton apron needed antique lace medallions, but who knows—embellishing is everything!
Step by step, you learn to sew. Many of you have shared your sewing stories with me. It is the love of fabrics and the process of assembling something that makes sewing fun. I always looked forward to the day when I would sew for my children. I collected antique laces, ribbons, and buttons just waiting for that special little girl to come along. My twins were boys, my first grandchild was a boy, and then finally there she was! Amelia would be the recipient of my labors. Thirty years I waited to use my treasures in creating beautiful dresses for her.
I sewed some for the boys, but they outgrow it quickly and opt for jeans and T-shirts. Amelia likes to play in my sewing room. When we are bored with the boy events at family gatherings she always asks if we could go “fabric.” That is her word for going to the sewing room, dragging out all of the fabric, and playing with patterns and color combinations. I just love it, and she is very good at coordinating colors!
As we begin our sewing journey, I look forward to the day when she will be able to make a garment on her own. It will be a day to remember.
Do you sew, or did your mother sew? I would love to hear your treasured sewing memories.