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Monday, June 04, 2012

Like daughter, like mother

My mother is the reason I can sew.  I don't know exactly how old I was when I first picked up a needle, I would guess in the 4 year old range, but watching my mom sew was certainly the reason I started. Christmas pajamas, Easter dresses, Halloween costumes--always home-made, by my mom. She even made my wedding dress (10 years ago!):
(Vera Wang for Vogue 2118)
My mom hasn't been regularly sewing for a while, but when I entered this year's Spring Top Sewalong, I suggested that she should also enter...but, she was busy and the deadline passed.    But a new challenge is on the table with Skirt Week, and I once again suggested that she enter the contest. "For our birthdays (mine 6/7, hers 6/9)", I urged her, "wouldn't it be fun to enter together?" She had started sewing again, so it wasn't a completely unreasonable request...

I sent her photos of my entry into Skirt Week and a few days ago, I got this email from her:

"While some mothers and daughters might go out to lunch, or enter the Freihofer's [road running race] to celebrate their together birthday, this is my "action" birthday gift to you  We can enter as a mother / daughter team for the skirt sewing contest.

When you challenged me back in the spring, I wasn't prepared, but did get this top created a little too late.  I had an idea for a skirt to complete the outfit.  So when you told me about the skirt contest, I was already ready - the fabric was washed and waiting.  I had researched the skirt I was looking for, and drew up the design.  And so, sew I did.  Here's my entry for the skirt sewing contest: The Ultimate summer jeans skirt!"

Since she doesn't have her own blog on which to discuss her sewing projects, I am posting her skirt for her--my birthday wish, come true. 
This is the description she gave of the skirt:  "Made of ultralight 100% cotton denim fabric.  Pull on straight skirt - no pockets, no zipper, no waistband, no nuthin'.  Ruffle is made with the selvage edge of the fabric - reminding me of cutoff jeans shorts with a little fringe."
 How adorable is that??  And the fringe is super clever.  She made her top, too!

My mom lives 3,000 miles away so we can't spend our "together" birthdays over lunch or a pedicure, so a virtual sewing contest is our "action" gift to each other.  How awesome is that? :)  Are there any other mothers and daughters that have skirts entered?  If so, please tell us!

1 comment:

  1. That "action" gift sounds wonderful! My mum's the reason me and my sister first picked up needles as well, but as with yours, she stopped sewing for a while, mostly because we started to make our own things. It felt great when we saw her pick up some fabric and a pattern for herself again after so long.
    Good luck with the contest!

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