Family Crafts

When I was six I started sewing. My Mom bought precious moments doll panels for me to practice with. A boy and girl angel. My sister was sick off and on. My parents thought it would be a good distraction from all the questions I had. I didn't know they were waiting for answers to the same questions. While my Mom was at the hospital with my sister I tried to figure out what I was supposed to do. My Dad surprised me and taught me how to hand sew. Dad learned to sew when he was younger. It came in handy for Dad when he was in boot camp. Most the men could not sew. They paid him to sew their badges and tags. He taught me to sew on a couple practice pieces and showed me how to cut the dolls out. He gave me a pair of bright orange scissors to use. Dad said that good scissors were very important to sewing. I today know they were Fiskar scissors. I then hand stitched each one carefully. By the time my sister came home she had two precious moments angels waiting on her bed.

I did not know it at the time but my great grandmother was a seamstress. Grandma as we called her was a seamstress during the Great Depression. During the time Grandma was a single mother of four. She sewed her fingerprints to where there was nothing left. I visited her the summer before my tenth birthday. While watching her soap operas she taught me to knit and crochet. Grandma helped me learn needlepoint embroidery. Grandma was my favorite person from my Moms side of the family. She passed away when I was a teenager I cant remember my age. Just that Grandma had a stroke and passed away. I never had a desire to visit that side again. The hole she left was always felt.

Ten years passed and I rarely sewed anything aside from simple mending of clothes. Then for Christmas I was gifted a sewing machine. I learned how to use it until about September and decided I would make my sister a Tinkerbelle costume. My thought process was short sided and being young did not know better. I thought sewing baby stuff for my niece was the same thing. I was totally wrong. My family and I laugh about it now. My Dad and Mom picked out fabric for me. I have anxiety and sometimes leaving the house is a little too much. My scissors were over used with school projects and no longer good for fabric. Dad got a new pair while he was out. He marked the handle with black nail polish and said they were only fabric scissors. I cut multiple layers for the skirt. It was a big job that I was out of my depths to make. I did complete it she wore it with tights to a party. In my gut I knew I could do better. I still have a pin in recreating the ultimate Tinkerbelle costume.

When my niece was a toddler Fiskar scissors were indispensable. Mending clothes with holes in them. Making accessories, cutting ribbon, cutting lace making new things out of old materials. Sewing doll clothes for barbie dolls and stuffed animals. My Mom and I used to make faux flower arrangements. We would make bouquets and vases for specific events. Adding different embellishments to each one. I made holiday bears with my Mom. We made one for each holiday every year and she would take them to work. I made ten of them after she passed away. I never made a Christmas one again. I still haven't. It was her favorite holiday. My Mom's Fiskar scissors we keep in my Dad's room. No one uses them anymore. It is a keepsake for all the crafts we made with her.

During Covid-19 I made masks for people and their kids. They didn't know how to sew and in the early stages of the virus no one was selling masks that could be reused. For a while I made 20 or more masks a week. Even when I had extra I ran out by the end of the second day of work. I injured my back and was put on disability through work. I couldn't walk without being in pain let alone stand. My sister brought home a pair of Cinderella blue glittery Fiskar scissors. I at least could still sew my masks. I could sew scarves, skirts, and a quilt for my sister. Instead of feeling cooped up and focusing on my injuries I could make things. Diligently cut out patterns and make things with my hands. The satisfaction of still being able to do something helped me with a diagnosis similar to my Mom's. My back may never fully heal and may get worse. With a pair of scissors and a sewing machine it never upset me. Even at my lowest I could still sew. That gives peace of mind nothing else can.

In time I plan to make more things. Possibly learn how to machine embroider. So I can make more personalized items for family and friends. Outfits, costumes, decorations, and maybe a Christmas bear to keep on the mantle. I have plans to trim away fabric when I can't fix the pain in my back. Make more elaborate costumes for Halloween. And if luck has it my own wedding dress should I find myself down that road. If I have kids I will see special stuffed animals for each of them. I will make their baby things like blankets and onesies. I will make their costumes. Maybe even a handmade advent calendar mouse to count the days until Christmas. Each pocket held a number and we moved the little Christmas mouse each night. I will always love crafting. It is something I can share with those I love I lost. I will forever be grateful for all the time and memories I have from crafting. All because it started with an orange pair of scissors. And my families love.