Frances Henrietta Kramer, circa 1925
This is my grandma, when she was 18. She learned how to sew from her mom, and my mom learned from her, and I learned to sew from my mom. So it’s sort of a genetic thing, really. At least that’s what I tell people when they say, “Oh, I wish I could sew!” My great-grandma wouldn’t touch any new fabric for clients, but did alterations for many people in town. My grandma and my mom also sewed for ladies in their neighborhoods, which kept what they called “pin money” in their pocketbooks.
In my senior year of high school, I decided I also wanted to try my hand at earning a bit of pin money, so I hung out my shingle (which consisted of a $10 ad in the Pennysaver, a free paper people read to find services like seamstresses or plumbers or the like). Over the last 30 years, I have sewn and sewn and sewn, all sorts of projects for many people for all sorts of occasions. From scores of bridesmaids dresses to clothing for a sweet (and very short) kindergarten teacher, I have had the privilege of meeting needs in many different ways. Before the days of Ross and Target, a client would come with their pattern and fabric and all the findings and I would make their garments custom. With the advent of discount stores, the call for custom seamstresses has largely been relegated to hemming pants or fixing a broken zipper.
About halfway into my sewing career, a friend called to say that she wanted me to make her slipcovers for her couch and loveseat. She had the fabric and she was coming over with the furniture and everything I needed. She was confident that I could do it. And so I did….and have loved this process of transforming great (yet ugly) furniture into new loveliness!
Yesterday, on the first glorious day of fall, I had a precious hour to myself while my daughter was taking her first voice lesson. I happened on an amazing quilting store in a quaint little village of shops. http://www.keepsakecottagefabrics.com/. I do believe I heard angels singing. And I think they were hiding in here:
The Jelly Roll
I have been taught, I have practiced my craft for 35 years, and I have the passion for creating whatever comes into my little heart next. Maybe I’ll be sewing something for you soon……;)
Read Full Post »
had fun with a photo shoot on Saturday. She loves photography, as my computer’s hard drive can attest. Who knows? If she doesn’t make it big as an actress in Musical Theater, another passion of hers, maybe she’ll make her mark through the lens of her camera.
