I am the daughter of the best seamstress I know. And I'm not just saying that because she's my mom. Everyone that knows her recognizes her sewing genius. She really is quite talented. Growing up she made practically every dress I ever wore to church and all my prom dresses. I loved it because we would go shopping in the department stores, find a dress I loved, then go home and copy it. We could even change anything about the dress I didn't like. When it came to prom dresses, I could find a dress I loved, and my mom could whip up an exact replica made with much better quality than anything store bought. (I should find some pictures of these dresses and post them sometime.)
I specifically remember one time as a teen when I found a sailor type dress in the store with a big white sailor collar, puffy sleeves, and navy stripes (keep in mind this was the early 90's people, okay? It was the style.) It was so cute. My mom made a couple of notes and found all the exact fabric and buttons and made me a sailor dress that looked exactly like the one in the store. When I wore it to church that Sunday, there was another teenage girl wearing the EXACT same dress from the store. She was older and a little miffed that I was wearing the same thing as her. This girl's mom jokingly mentioned that we bought the same dress. However, when she found out mine was homemade for a fraction of the cost, she was floored.
Anywho, I digress.....As much as I loved my mom sewing things for me, I NEVER had any desire to actually learn how to sew myself.....None. Zip. Zilch. I hated being dragged on countless trips to the fabric store, promising myself that I would never put my own daughter through such torture. Of course my mom tried to sit me down and teach me sewing skills many times, but my heart simply wasn't in it.
That brings us to now. We have come full circle. Guess who has a huge desire to learn how to sew?? Nope, it's not me - it's Taylor. She has shown interest in it for awhile now. She's always asking her two grandmas if they will help her make things. My mother in law (the 2nd greatest seamstress I know) went out a few weeks ago and bought all the younger granddaughters that are Taylor's age a new sewing machine. Nothing too extravagant, just a nice machine from Target. Of course she wants to get it out of the box and go crazy with it. Unfortunately she has me, the biggest sewing illiterate on the planet, for a mother. I don't know the first thing about sewing machines or even what to do after turning on the power. So pathetic, I know. It's a big joke now with my mom that after all these years, I wish I would have learned how to sew. Now I have a daughter who wants to learn this skill, and I can't even help her. So now I'm thinking that we will have to learn together. Or maybe Taylor can learn all the tricks of the trade from her fabulous grandmas and then sit down and teach me a thing or two!
At least I kept my promise never to drag my daughter on boring trips to the fabric store!!!
8 comments:
No. She'll drag you, again. But, I do think she's in good hands. Between the two grandmas, she'll be a pro in no time flat. She has a lot of interests. Is she still wanting to play the organ?
Yep, she'll drag you! So cute! And yes, she'll pick it up quick with two grandmas! I love it! You know, my mom sewed too, and I never wanted to learn... until I had a daughter! So I ended up teaching myself and now I love it! Tell Taylor I said good luck!
Lets put her and McKin in classes at JoAnn's. She loves it. She has made a dress, bags, camera cases for her dad. She wants more. And she loves the fabric store.
Erin -
Yes Taylor is still interested in organ but we've put that off until she's closer to 12. She is a Renaissance child - I swear she is interested in everything!
I am waiting to see those prom pictures... dig em up!!! Sewing isn't so hard...!! It's great that she wants to learn! Every house needs a good mender... mine could sure use one!!
Heidi, we just pulled out our sewing machine so Emma could make some skirts for a YW project. She's done great but I realize I inherited no talent for this either from my mom or Garys.
You should totally post pictures of those dresses! I would love to see that! My mom sews too and I wish I knew how but I just don't really have time. I can sew a straight line but that's the extent of it! Maybe some day!
I never learned. Luckily my mother in law is a master seamstress. It just makes it a little easier to not learn when you have people like that around:)
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