It feels a bit selfish and extremely egocentric to write about myself, but it seems appropriate to do so in order that you know where I am coming from when I write about fiber related subjects.
First, you must know about my mother.
I grew up as the oldest child of working class parents in a major metropolitan area of the Midwest. From what I understand, my mother worked from the time she was able to return to work after I was born in the very early 1950’s. Life was not and has not been easy for her. Growing up I was aware that her life was not like that of most women of her time. She worked long hours outside the home followed my long hours after work and on her days off at home. She is dignified and proud and at the same time a very independent person. These are all qualities I deeply admire and respect.
From the time I can remember she has sewn. She has made marvelous outfits. When I was Kindergarten or first grade, she made me a pumpkin costume for Halloween. This was no ordinary costume. When I wore it, I actually looked round. It was stuffed and designed to look like a pumpkin. I had an orange hat with a green stem on the top of it to complete the outfit. If memory serves right, she made this without a pattern.
Another time she made my oldest cousin and I matching balloon skirts with hoops. These were the kind that were popular back in the 1950’s. She also made my younger brother and I matching coats when we were very young. She made shirts for my father to wear to work as well as a lot of her own clothes. The list of items she has been in my lifetime seems endless. Sometimes she used a pattern and sometimes she did not. It varied. To this day, and with a huge assortment of patterns on hand, if she doesn’t like the way an item is made she will revise the pattern.
She is also a perfectionist in almost everything she does. This is especially reflected in the way she sews. I remember her ripping out a seam because it didn’t look right. She continues to do this to this day.
As I tell you these things I hope you can hear and feel the respect and admiration I have for this very intelligent, independent and caring woman I have the honor and privilege of calling Mom. She has passed on to me some of the character qualities she possesses such as independence and perfectionism. She has also taught me the value of frugality and when to splurge on materials and tools.
I wonder why I am a perfectionist and lover of fiber arts…..Do you think it is passed on from one generation to another?? I wonder and think perhaps it is. What a treasure it is to pass on.
With love to my Mom,
her older daughter.
