Mama's sewing

From Memory
Jump to: navigation, search

From my earliest memories, Mama did a lot of sewing. I think a part of this was the practicality of it--buying material and sewing garments for her kids was a lot more cost effective than buying clothes. I also think she enjoyed sewing--the act of creating something beautiful from basic materials. I remember wearing suits she made for me when I was very young--she always chose these shiny silver buttons with navy designs on them. I think the pattern she used didn't have a real suit collar; but that was ok--I was young and swiftly growing after all and real jackets and suits were expensive.

And then there were the special projects. A hippo costume when I was in second grade for a school skit. A butcher's apron that I used watercolors to paint fake blood upon (for another school skit, this time in third grade); I actually used that years later when really cooking until Mama made for me a series of Illini aprons as gifts. A black velour cape when I was in college for a halloween costume (I still sometimes wear it to hand out halloween treets--spooky :-) ).

Mama also crocheted and knitted. She made me a huge brown scarf for the cold winters in Illinois; and the Christmas before she left us, she gave me a beautiful, soft and warm blue scarf. Whenever I wear it I feel like Mama is hugging me.

Tim 04:44, 10 January 2009 (PST)