My Mom in Rockefeller Center circa 1965. I guarantee she made that dress!
Wow!!! It's been a long time since I've posted an entry! I was about to put something on Facebook and was inspired to write about it here instead.
I took out my mom's Bernina sewing machine last night for the first time since I've had it to work on a Martha Stewart tree skirt pattern. It always looks so easy until you actually sit down to do it. My first mistake was changing the type of fabric, (Martha recommends felt). I should have known not to mess with Martha. Anyway, I got some beautiful fabric at Purl Patchwork in Soho that I thought would look perfect. It wasn't until I got ready to start sewing that I realized I should have used felt! The fabric was too thin and started to fray. It all worked out in the end. The skirt looks beautiful under the tree, just don't look too closely.
I loved using my mom's machine again and I think her spirit is in it somehow. The machine is over 25 years old and really beat up from Brazilian humidity. I had serious doubts that it would even work, especially since she had mentioned that it needed some repairs. Anyway, I held my breath and pushed the pedal. It started with some grumbling noises and then took off! To my surprise it was still running beautifully! Thanks mom!
The special sound of the machine brought back wonderful memories. My mom was always sewing. I remember learning how to thread the machine and making small projects. I never had the patience to do anything serious though.
I read in the New York Times today that the soap opera As the World Turns was being cancelled. That was one of my mom's favorite shows! She credit's CBS's soap opera line-up with her learning English. That might be a slight exaggeration, but she always had them on while she was working.
Using the machine last night was like being home, being with my mom. I thought about all of the beautiful things she created on the Bernina. She always said that the only machine she knew how to operate was a sewing machine, and she was right! : ) I don't think I'll ever reach her caliber of workmanship, but I'm happy to be doing a few sewing and embroidery projects, which bring me closer to her. I also feel like I’m contributing to the family legacy. My grandfather was a tailor, my mother and one aunt were designers and seamstresses, I had an uncle who designed everything from shoes to shopping bags, another uncle who’s a draftsman, and a cousin, who also works as a seamstress and designer. My dear late aunt Belinha was a master at embroidery.
Here's to the beauty my mom created and inspired!
