I am grateful that I learned to sew when I was in junior high. I took one semester of Home Economics (do they still offer that today?) and part of that semester was spent learning how to sew. My mom knew how to sew; I can remember lots of dresses and other outfits she made for us growing up, but sometimes you need someone other than a family member to teach you how to do something so that you appreciate it more. I cannot remember my teacher’s name, but I am so grateful that I took that class and learned the basics of operating a sewing machine. I made a couple of dresses that I wore quite often and I was really proud of my accomplishments. I even helped make some choral outfits for some other girls in the group and was paid for my efforts.
When Keith and I got married I was lucky to get a really nice (at the time) sewing machine for a steal. I was 19 and working at JCPenney and someone ordered one from the Catalog and returned it unopened. For some reason they could not send it back so Keith and his parents bought it for me for a birthday or Christmas present that year. It was a good deal that we could not pass up. Oh, and Keith’s mom also sews, she showed me how to make some of the first placemats I ever made. Well, I made a beautiful pink print skirt and jacket that I was able to wear to work. And I think I made a few placemats and some other small items like a Christmas stocking for Keith before we moved back across the country to Virginia.
Then I had lots of opportunities to put my sewing skills to work. As we moved into our first apartment here and then later our first house, I made all of our curtains, along with dust ruffles, shams and a duvet for our bedroom. Back then I was into the country look with lots of ruffles…LOTS of ruffles. I have since simplified things but still make curtains, gifts such as more stockings, purses and even slipcovers. I even took a quilting class with my friends June and Betsy. I don’t have as much time as I used to for sewing, but when I want to change out curtains or table accessories I know I can pull out my reliable old JCPenney machine and get to work.
I am so grateful that I learned how to sew way back in the eighth grade!
Quote and numeric graphic by Kristen Creech from her 30 Days of Gratitude kit.
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