My grandma, AnnaBelle, taught me everything I knew about sewing. I remember being 4 or 5, sitting next to her while she used her sewing machine. Fascinated by the whirring sound it made, only when she pressed her foot on the pedal that was on the floor. Watching as the thread mysteriously disappeared through the fabric, only to come up and make a real stitch because there was thread underneath the surface as well, from something called a bobbin. Fun to say and fun to consider, sometimes a challenge to fill: the bobbin!
When fabric shopping, she and I would begin looking at the fabric immediately to the left as we walked in to a fabric store, and gradually make our way through the entire store. This could take hours. Neither of us wanting to miss anything, and neither of us in much of a hurry, as we were completely enjoying this escape to our own dream world!
Touching, each bolt of fabric, and discussing how we would use it, what it could become, whether we actually ever did it or not wasn't important, we were discussing dreams and ideas and things that 'could be'--or no, this would not work at all! There was comfort in knowing that there was no one that cared but us.
On these shopping excursions, textures were always important to consider. Corduroy, or sear-sucker, it didn't matter, except we should consider the season for which we'd be using the garment, corduroy does not work in summer, nor sear-sucker in winter. No visit to a fabric store would be complete, however, without another hour or so with the stacks of pattern books. This was the place I learned about lines of the garment the difference is that there are classic lines and lines that 'date' the garment, and when you are sewing within a budget, you must know and consider the difference.
We share a love for beautiful fabric, and a unique conversational trait with each other--describing in detail color and texture and designs because we know it will interest the other. She's described everything from her friend's wall paper to the floral pattern of her new love seat, to the color and fabric of her new blouse. And, if we re-do a room in our home, she wants to hear every detail, colors we've used, or even thought about, types of curtains, and the upholstery fabric choices--down to the last tassel on a pillow.
AnnaBelle could construct clothing items without use of a paper pattern. She probably used a pattern for this, but I remember a medium blue velvet swing coat she made herself in the late 60's that was exquisite...it had large self-fabric covered buttons and was lined with soft shiny same-color satin. I loved sitting in her dining room watching her create as much as I loved nosing through the fabric stores with her. I can still smell her perfume and the steam from the iron she used to make the seams perfectly crisp...hearing the ice in her lemon tea clink as she'd take a drink...and hearing her laugh when it looked good and came together well, or stand at the ironing board and almost whine I could just cry when it didn't turn out so good.
Of course, she made most of my clothes, beautiful things, until about the time I began Jr. High. By the time I started High school, she had moved over 1,000 miles away. I began sewing for myself, a little before she moved. But I kept sewing more and more until, I loved it so much that, sewing was all I wanted to do (ask my sister!).
Finally, I'm certain as a peace-keeping measure for our household, I was only allowed to sew during the summer. If I sewed during school months, I'm pretty sure I would not have done any home work, or perhaps felt it necessary to attend school at all. I enjoyed it so much, and found such satisfaction in the process that I would dream of designing and making clothing of all kinds, evening gowns, to skirts and blouses, purses to suits, I loved all things fabric.
Probably so I wouldn't stayed holed up in our home my entire high school years, I was encouraged to get a part time job. So my first job was a checker at a grocery store, forcing me to become face to face with complete strangers and their daily food choices. (hmmmm....I see another topic to write about in that sentence!)
This job was good for me and my love for all things fabric because soon I had saved up enough money to purchase a really good sewing machine. A Kenmore, my very own, and it cost just over $700, a lot of money in 1978. Grandma coached me through that purchase through many phone conversations and continued to talk me through difficult projects and garments that I made over the next many years.
By sewing I learned valuable life lessons, grandma taught me: if the seam isn't straight, then rip it out--don't be afraid of this--always take your time, and make it right. Another lesson was about being as conservative as possible when planning and laying out the pattern pieces on the uncut fabric--measure and re-pin as many times as needed.
Both valuable lessons: one having to do with the overall appearance of the garment, the other having to do with keeping the costs low.
Lessons or not, I still have such an appreciation for beautiful fabrics and textures! I am so thankful that I was greatly loved and wonderfully influenced by such an accomplished seamstress!--AnnaBelle!
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