Learning how to sew

My mom started teaching me how to sew by hand at first. I remember going to the dime store with her to pick out my first embroidery project. It was a bib for my baby cousin. The white bib already had the embroidery pattern printed in blue on it. Mom also bought me a wooden embroidery hoop, a sewing box, and embroidery thread that day. She taught me how to sew a running stitch, satin stitch, daisy stitch and French knots. I liked French knots the most.

After a few years of hand embroidery I wanted to learn how to use a sewing machine like my mom used everyday. My mom, being fearful of an eight year old running an electric sewing machine, bought a treadle sewing machine from a relative. Mom taught me the basics of operating a sewing machine. I started making stuffed animals. I broke a lot of needles sewing on fake fur until mom suggested using leather needles which were stronger.

I tried making garments but wasn't too good at it so I left that up to my mom. She sewed all my clothes until I was 12, which was when I told her I preferred to wear store bought clothes. I'm sure this hurt her feelings but that's not something a 12 year old who wants to dress like everyone else thinks about. Periodically, I would ask her to sew a tailored jacket or a special dress. I still have a dress she made for me which I keep hanging in my closet preserved in a garment bag . Ironically, it has half square triangles in the bodice.  I would have loved helping her sew my wedding dress but my mom passed away before I met my future husband . She was only 57 years old, much too young!

When I sew, I feel connected with my mom. The sounds of sewing; scissors cutting into fabric, pins scattering in a dish, and the whirl of my sewing machine all remind me of her. I made a wall quilt using the fabric from clothes she wore and it hangs next to my sewing machine. I call the quilt, "Esther's Star." I know she's looking down on me as I sew and smiling at my creations.