I would like to share some memories of my dear mother, who passed away at home on January 7, surrounded by our family.
My mother was always sewing clothes, drapes, slipcovers, Halloween costumes and toys for the needy. Growing up, I would stand next to her sewing table and hand her pins as she needed them. I was fascinated with that sewing machine, its needle going up and down, creating seam after seam, ending up with something special.
From a young age, on most Saturdays, my Aunt Mahre, Mom and I would go to the fabric store. It was quite an adventure. Bolts and bolts of fabric, colors, textures, buttons, patterns and those special "evening" fabrics that were soft, silky and shiny - just like the movie stars wore.
Mom taught me to sew, to challenge myself, and opened the door to my love of sewing and fabrics. One of my favorite Christmas presents of all time was a "corner store" my parents gave me as a little girl. It was a cardboard storefront, complete with little cash register and fake money. I dreamed of one day having such a fabric store of my very own.
Once I was old enough to walk to the fabric store after school, I would spend many afternoons there. I would look at all the "new arrivals", and when the new pattern books came in, and sit and flip through every page memorizing the newest styles, cuts and shapes. I was so excited, and couldn't wait to get home to tell Mom all that I saw, what was new and what I wanted to make next. My mother listened to all my ramblings, and encouraged all that I wanted to tackle. Each project was a little more difficult, yet my mother guided me through and made it seem so easy. When I got frustrated setting in a sleeve without any puckers, her patience was unflappable, showing me how to do it correctly, time and time again.
My mother taught me to always help those less fortunate. We worked together with Aunt Mahre making Raggedy Ann dolls for a local orphanage, and stuffed toys for the children in Appalachia. In the beginning I didn't like it, I kept thinking of all this time spent on these tiny seams. I could be making a whole new top! Mom casually said, "Some girls don't have a closet full of clothes, and these dolls will make some child very happy." I got it, I understood. A very good lesson from Mom.
Later in life my mother would stop into The Fabric Garden. I would give her the "tour", and loved showing her the new lines of fabrics, the new colors and patterns. Mom would admire the newest samples on display. We would reminisce about our fabric journey together, and how she was so patient teaching me all she knew. Mom would tell me how proud she was of me and my "corner store". I would tell her "It's all because of you, Mom." My mother gave me a great foundation of love that led to my life's passion. For this, and so much more, I thank my Mom. I am lucky to have all those memories, but I am most thankful for her undying love.
