Monday, March 19, 2012

Connecting...


I've been in a bit of a creative shlump lately. I went through all of my fabric and rid myself of the tiny scraps I convinced myself I could make something with, folded and sorted remnants and yardage, and became re-aquainted with this little plaid gal.


I met this fabric in my Grandmother's stash that she has long since given up busting. I had no plans for it at the time, but as I encountered it again, I was reminded of one of my favorite moments with my Grandmother.

She had come to visit my family in Maine and found that I had been trying my hand at sewing (I was 15 at the time) she patiently, but effectively --as is her way-- sat me down and helped me make the black and white plaid pencil skirt I had been attempting. We finished it, working into the late hours of the evening, only to find out that it was about 2 sizes too small. 

Defeated, we said goodnight and I drudged off to my room only to wake the next morning to find an identical (although 2 sizes bigger) plaid skirt, skillfully cut from the remaining fabric. She had stayed up by herself into the morning and finished a second skirt so that I could wear it to the dance that night.

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This memory of my Grandmother is not one of my favorite simply because she made me a skirt, but I was taught in that moment a lesson on service and perseverance. 

As I find myself sewing, measuring and pleating this plaid beauty from her personal stash, I can't help but feel a little connected to her and hope that in some small way, I am like her.



It's been the perfect motivation.

3 comments:

  1. Thank you for this post- it's so sweet. My dad passed away a couple of years ago and I find that I feel closest to him when I am doing things he loved to do- gardening, looking at the stars, listening to oldies, and writing. It makes perfect sense to me that you could connect with your grandmother through the sewing.

    new follower :)
    bonnie
    bonnielouisa.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Bonnie, thank you for the comment. I'm sorry to hear about your loss, but glad to hear that you take advantage of the beautiful things he loved in life to feel closer to him.

      I hope to see you around the blogosphere!

      Cambra

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  2. What a beautiful post!! I love thinking back on memories like that. Though my grandma was an accomplished seamstress she did not teach me how to sew. I wish we had this kind of shared memory.

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