In a recent post, I reminisced about my mom’s pie dough goodies. The same day that I was writing it, I cleaned out a closet and came across this dress that mom had made for me. She has been on my mind a lot lately, after finding this.
Well, she is often on my mind, just like Ryan. Sometimes the worst part about losing a person is not being able to let them about something that you know would’ve brought them a smile. And she really would’ve enjoyed hearing about me trying this on after years of it being tucked away.
Today would’ve been her birthday.
The dress was a collaboration. I hand painted some fabric with peachy irises and she stitched a full skirted dress from it.
The best part is this gorgeous, hand crafted belt. She even covered a buckle in the fabric. Seeing how pretty this is, really makes me miss having a waistline!
The dress itself has an elastic waist and still fits. But it isn’t the same without this lovely belt, which would need another a few more holes punched in it to fit.
Oooh, the buttons! All are vintage glass. Green like emeralds, my birthstone.
She could sew anything for me with just a description, no pattern. As a child, I used to point to outfits in a magazine and she’d whip them up, with Barbie clothes to match.
Sadly, I went through a snobbery stage as a teen and would not wear home sewn clothes. What a jerk!
But as I got older, I appreciated all of the sundresses, lined jackets, winter coats, and shorts she would make for me all through the 80s. Not to mention the clothes she made for my kids, and the quilts covering all of our beds. And the perfectly tailored slipcovers for my couch.
Her ability to create something beautiful and functional from rolls of fabric by designing her own patterns was quite a skill. The math that went into that, along with the vision is impressive.
Plus, I always knew that as she made a piece, she thought of the person it was for. I keep that in mind now myself, as I craft my own projects for people I care about. They are in my heart as I create for them.
As I know that I was in hers.