Mom was my personal tailor. One of my favorite days as a child was when it was my turn to go with mom to the fabric store - browsing the giant books from Simplicity and McCalls, then wandering among the bolts of fabrics in a rainbow of colors. I wasn't limited to those standard pre-made dresses on store racks. I could have my dress in any color I wanted, with puffed or straight sleeves, square neck or scooped.
When the future Hubs invited me to prom only five days in advance, I flew home to tell Mom the big news. I'm sure the wheels immediately started turning in her head. While I was floating on a cloud of excitement, she was figuring out how to get a dress made in that amount of time. The answer was already hanging in my sister's closet. Mom took apart the dress she had made for my sister two years earlier, cut it to fit me and made a few changes in the details to give it a new look. I was thrilled!
That was by no means the first time I had worn a dress previously owned by my sister. Having a sister two years older, we frequently had matching dresses. When I had outgrown mine, I got hers. I noticed that, in school pictures, I was wearing the same dress at age 4 and age 6. I'm sure the second dress was actually Teri's hand-me-down
That's me in the center. Ignore the hair. |
When I had my own daughter, I couldn't wait to sew for her. My skills are nothing compared to Mom's, but I could handle a sun dress. The local fabric store was long out of business, so I went to Wal-Mart and was stunned. Patterns cost $6-$8. Add the cost of fabric, thread and notions, and a simple dress for a 3-year-old cost around $15. I could walk across the store and buy one already made for half that. But I still wanted to sew for my daughter, so I bought the supplies and made the most adorable dress - white with red lady bugs, little bows on the shoulder straps and on the pocket. Amanda refused to put it on! She had her own fashion opinion - even at 3.
A mother who was a talented seamstress was one of many favorite parts of my childhood. Here's a few more shots of me modeling mom's creations.
My sister, Teri, and I in our Christmas dresses.
I remember this one clearly. I loved the changeable scarf!
And yes, there really was a point in history when flesh-tone glasses were "in".
And here's the whole clan.
I believe Mom made all three jumpers my sisters
and I are wearing, as well as her own dress.
This post is linked up with "Inspiration on Monday", hosted by Trish @ Love, Laughter and a Touch of Insanity.
What great memories!! Sadly I didn't appreciate the seamstress mom that we had but it's so cool that you did!!
ReplyDeleteI know we had a lot more clothes because my aunt used to come and work with my mom every summer to make us clothes for the summer and into the school year. I loved getting to pick out patterns and the exact fabric I wanted. Weren't we lucky?!
ReplyDelete