When Victoria from As It Seams asked for participants for her From My Mother to Me series, I knew right away I wanted to take the opportunity to tell the story of how my mother shared sewing (and creativity in general)Â as a passion with me.
I could tell you about the prairie style dress she made me for my birthday when I was around nine, bonnet included, or the projects we worked on together where she taught me to select fabrics and notions and to follow a pattern.  But I want to try to direct the lens on this with a broader focus.
Instead of the mechanics of what projects at what age, let me answer the question: “How did my Mom instill a drive to create?”.
I don’t think she would describe herself as adventurous. Â She’s not driven to travel to exotic locations, and never spoke of an urge to take risks. Â But I do think she was a thrill seeker in a quieter way. Â I always remember her trying new things; gaining new skills. Â Gardening club, Chinese cooking classes, macrame, knitting, crocheting, toll painting, scrapbooking, wallpapering, basket weaving. Â She was part of (and I believe founder) of a thriving crafting club that met monthly at a different member’s house to socialize and create. Â It continued for more than a decade and occasionally I was invited to join the fun.
Throughout my childhood, Mom taught me to cross-stitch, sew, candlewick, latch-hook, embroider, crochet and more. Â There was always a project in the works and I learned that having a WIP (work in progress) meant there was never a chance for boredom. Â Long road trips were an opportunity to work on projects, and Sunday football meant homemade caramel popcorn and cross-stitching.
Arden snoozing on a basketweave blanket my Mom painstakingly sewed, stuffing each individual section and stitching it closed.
I think I’m already setting the stage to continue the legacy my Mom set in place. Â Arden knows how to make potholders on a loom, sew with her sewing machine, and if she shows interest in a craft we figure out how to let her explore it. Â Hadley has asked about sewing, so soon she’ll join the Tiny Sewists club.
How did your Mother spark your creative drive? Â How will you light the fire in your children?
Miss Matatabi has generously sponsored a giveaway for $50 to her awesome shop! Â I know I’ll be entering – be sure you do too!
Also be sure to check in with the rest of the participants in the series:
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I always had a WIP since I was a little girl as well. My mom and grandmother were both so crafty and taught me to cross stitch, sew, make potholders, crotchet, paint, and so much more! So grateful to them for taking the time to pass down their knowledge and skills.
Oh that is beautiful. Mum’s are the best aren’t they
Thank you so much for taking part Jenn! That basketweave blanket your mother has made is incredible. And I’m so impressed that she, and you, have made so much time to pass on skills and always have a WIP! It’s inspiring me to try to spend more time with my daughter sharing and creating. Victoria
Wow, that blanket is amazing! I can’t believe each piece was individually stuffed!
My mom definitely passed on a love of making and an appreciation for handmade things to me and all of her kids. Sewing, cooking, gardening, knitting/crocheting… you name it!
My mother taught me so many crafty things (like embroidery when I was four, and crochet when I went off to boarding school), but I think the best thing she taught me was that things can (and often should) be made from scratch, which applied to everything from cooking to sewing and carpentry. I’m trying to teach my own daughter the same lesson-that if she wants something, she has the capacity to make it!
My mom was a very talented sewist and I can remember her making me halloween costumes that I cherished. She supported any craft interest I had and gave me my very first sewing machine of my own in my early 20s.
My mum taught me to knit and to darn and repair clothing. She had a friend Margaret who sewed and she made at least half my clothes as a kid and so mum and I would choose fabrics and patterns together and I remember standing in my undies in front of the fire in Margaret’s little cottage, being measured for my new things! I loved the transformation from fabric to clothing and still do! I hope I am teaching my daughter the same fascination!