About eight years ago my Grandma Jean moved from Denver to an assisted living center in Nebraska. She was pretty isolated in Denver and needed someone closer so she moved nearer my Aunt Margaret. When she went I was fortunate to receive many things from her. My kitchen table, sideboard, desk,car, dresser and her fabric and notion stash. When acquiring your Grandmothers stash you get get a lot of strange and wonderful things. Fabrics that make you think what was she going to do with this? Or whew, I would have never picked that! I have used some of these fabrics, some I am seriously considering sending on their way while others I am sure I will find a use for.
This week these random things have taken on new meaning as my Grandmother passed away. All agree she was a bird of a different feather and I often say that any of my idiosyncrasies were definitely acquired honestly! She liked to sew and craft and would make things for others. Often that meant you received a gift that might have fit you two years ago or the sleeves were different lengths. When your young, that is annoying and not so funny. As an adult, I realize she spent that time making things because she enjoyed it I should have been a bit more appreciative of her time spent. After all, that is the same reason I make things for those I love. Today I chose to take a day of bereavement so that I could honor my crafty Grandma by doing a bit of sewing. I think I will make myself some clothes. Maybe from some of these patterns:
I love the vintage style and I hope all the pieces are there! I am going to work hard at being a better seamstress than my Grandma and I hope to avoid some of her "make it" pitfalls like leaving out the lining on a very sheer dress.....
I knew her time was near its end when my sister and I visited her shortly after Christmas. I'm not sure she ever figured out who we were but I got to hug her and say goodbye. She was musical, liked to travel and taught me to love the library. Now I would like to say Thank You. Thank you for my eccentric taste, thank you for being brave enough to take a fourth grader to Alaska for three weeks, thank you for sharing your things with me and thank you for my love of crafts and sewing.
