I posted a picture on my Facebook site of a Simplicity sewing pattern from around the 1970’s. The banner on the top read, “ SHARE IF YOU REMEMBER WHEN MOM WOULD MAKE YOUR CLOTHES.”
Boy, did it stir some special memories of a different time and place. In one short afternoon, hundreds liked it and over the days that followed many more liked, shared and commented. The comments just kept coming. It’s probably one of the most active posts I’ve ever had and I’m guessing (although I might be wrong) that many of the comments came from readers in their early fifties or sixties.
Some remembered their mothers (or grandmothers) sewing them everything from special Christmas pajamas to school uniforms to prom dresses. A few bragged that their moms made clothing for their Barbie, Ken and even GI Joe dolls. Some readers noted that they themselves had struggled through Home EC classes and told tales of either sinister task masters or measuring tape miracle workers. It was not uncommon to hear about failed sewing projects that made their way home only to be resuscitated by mom. A few said that they themselves now successfully sew for their kids or are envious of friends who have become master seamstresses.
There were some lovely, often humorous, stories shared that not only made me laugh but also got me to thinking. I have four real passions in my life: Family, Writing, Reading and of course- Sewing. And as I was reflecting back, I realized that each of these passions grew from time spent with my mother. To mom, family was everything and she raised us to always remember that. She was an avid reader, a poet and a phenomenal seamstress. And through her example, she ingrained a love for each of those things in me.
My own kids have grown up watching me living a life centered around our family, always working on a sewing project, with a book close at hand. And, of course they’ve watched me as I’ve thrown my hat into the writers' ring authoring a number of parenting books and my first fiction series. I hope that we have made some meaningful memories together and I can't help but wonder how these images will effect their lives. What stories/memories they will want to share with their own children in the future? Although those reflections may not move them to want to be writers or seamstresses, I sincerely hope they will make them smile, knowing that they were loved.
Do you remember when your mom...or dad...?
Boy, did it stir some special memories of a different time and place. In one short afternoon, hundreds liked it and over the days that followed many more liked, shared and commented. The comments just kept coming. It’s probably one of the most active posts I’ve ever had and I’m guessing (although I might be wrong) that many of the comments came from readers in their early fifties or sixties.
Some remembered their mothers (or grandmothers) sewing them everything from special Christmas pajamas to school uniforms to prom dresses. A few bragged that their moms made clothing for their Barbie, Ken and even GI Joe dolls. Some readers noted that they themselves had struggled through Home EC classes and told tales of either sinister task masters or measuring tape miracle workers. It was not uncommon to hear about failed sewing projects that made their way home only to be resuscitated by mom. A few said that they themselves now successfully sew for their kids or are envious of friends who have become master seamstresses.
There were some lovely, often humorous, stories shared that not only made me laugh but also got me to thinking. I have four real passions in my life: Family, Writing, Reading and of course- Sewing. And as I was reflecting back, I realized that each of these passions grew from time spent with my mother. To mom, family was everything and she raised us to always remember that. She was an avid reader, a poet and a phenomenal seamstress. And through her example, she ingrained a love for each of those things in me.
My own kids have grown up watching me living a life centered around our family, always working on a sewing project, with a book close at hand. And, of course they’ve watched me as I’ve thrown my hat into the writers' ring authoring a number of parenting books and my first fiction series. I hope that we have made some meaningful memories together and I can't help but wonder how these images will effect their lives. What stories/memories they will want to share with their own children in the future? Although those reflections may not move them to want to be writers or seamstresses, I sincerely hope they will make them smile, knowing that they were loved.
Do you remember when your mom...or dad...?