Adding a little detail to the hemline of a passed on skirt (for me), teaching some new embroidery stitches to Miss V and Miss O for our new quilt, shortening some new jeans for my husband, the seams of which wouldn't fit under my machine's foot. The last few days have seen me reaching for needle and thread quite often. Late last night I mended three small holes on a jumper/sweater my husband has been wearing during the recent cooler days.
As I plied my needle and yarn amongst this thick hand knit I was struck by the simple yet profound connection of generations through needle and thread. This woollen jumper was lovingly hand knitted by my husband's grandmother for her eldest son - my father-in-love who recently passed on. Now her grandson, my husband, wears it and I mend it. Her love and craftsmanship lives on well beyond her years.
The simple skills of using needle and thread to adorn, teach, adjust and mend are a blessing. Then there is also the wonderful ability to be able to create functional and beautiful items with these skills as they are developed. Needle and thread - so many possibilities.
Amongst my handful of childhood keepsakes are these little pieces, each one smaller than a placemat, made by me as a young child. My mother taught me how to use needle and thread while I was very young and I am grateful. I come from a long line of sewers/crafters and have always enjoyed quietly making a variety things with my hands, much more than reading books or socialising.....
I am also grateful she has kept a record for me which I treasure.
Needle and thread - useful, powerful, beautiful.
A wonderful thoughtful post. How lovely for you to be passing on these skills you learnt from your mother, to your children. I do like the look of the jumper and so pleased you could mend it so it has much more life in it still.
ReplyDeleteNice to read this! I was always crafting when I was a very little child. I did it by myself, because my mother didn't take the time. But when I asked her something, she helped me and she bought materials for my birthday. I still use my crochet-needles and I have some felt from that period of my childness. My grandmother knitted clothes for my dolls, my daugther uses them for her stuffed animals.
ReplyDeleteI'm thankfull that I'm still crafting, with my girls and there friends now!
I used to know how to work a needle and thread, not sure I'd be so handy nowadays..
ReplyDeleteLovely post!! <3
ReplyDeleteLindo post e bordados! beijos,chica
ReplyDeleteUmiejętność używania igły jest bardzo potrzebna w życiu codziennym. Na szczęście tez to potrafię. Pozdrawiam.
ReplyDeleteThe ability to use a needle is very much needed in everyday life. Fortunately, it also can. Yours.
Nice macro's . Complete different then flowers but still very interesting and detailed. Like the colors and composition. Especially number 3 and the last one. Well done.
ReplyDeleteMy mother taught me a variety of stitches that I still use to this day.
ReplyDeleteHeartwarming post Karen. xo
I agree with you about the impact and importance of the needle and thread - even though my hand sewing skills are so minimal and even, then lack learned technique,I still love even that process of pulling needle through material. Thank you for showing your keepsake of your childhood sewing - that might look little in size, but to me it seemed big and so meaningful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great tradition has been handed down to you and yours. They are wonderful keepsakes from your childhood sewing. Having a jumper handed down so many generations is pretty awesome these days in our throw away society.
ReplyDeleteA great post. I especially liked the part about the sweater and its origin.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds so lovely to be taught how to sew and use needle and thread by your own mother. So wonderful to still have those little pieces of handcrafted material from when you were only... three??? Am I reading that right? So so adorable and something to treasure for always. Thank you for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteMarian
I dont know which is most special the memories or possessing the actual items from the past. You have both that time has not erased. Good you are passing this talent to your children.
ReplyDeleteMemories, we are blessed to have them.
What a lovely post!! I love seeing the sweet stitching you did as a 3 year old.....how delightful for you that you have these keepsakes as a memory of special times spent stitching with your mother!!
ReplyDeleteI love this and how you tied it back to our forefathers/mothers.
ReplyDeleteI have been crafting since a child too but I am just now learning to hand stitch and a few years ago I learned how to crochet.
Like you, I enjoy passing some time by creating something with my hands. It's relaxing to me.
I can only hope that this craft will continue to be passed down from generation to generation.
Such a wonderful post, Karen.
ReplyDeleteI know so many people who don't know how to knit or quilt or do simple mending.. and I think it's sad that these basic practical skills aren't being passed on to children as they used to be.
I'm very thankful that my mom did these kinds of things with my sisters and I. The other night both of our two youngest did some stitching on felt with her. They were so proud of their work!
I was tidying up my kitchen towel drawer this morning, and was admiring my embroidered flour sack towels from my grandma.. some of them are getting shabby, but I don't think I'll ever be able to part with them.
I agree with you - I would rather be making something with my hands than socializing. (though - I have a weakness for reading good books!) And I just love to look back at things made with my grandmothers' hands, and my childrens' too.
Thank you for sharing all of these treasures - and keeping the art of stitching alive & well.
Your post has struck a cord with me this morning, Karen, and brought tears to my eyes. I so want to leave a spiritual legacy for my children that holds them fast long after I have gone. Along with that desire, I want them to know how deeply I love them, and these lovely hand made items are tangible evidence of a love that will carry on hopefully to several generations. And they tell such a story of love, of the gentle care of a mother who is busy about her task of nurturing her family. Beautiful. Thank you for sharing this morning.
ReplyDeleteLovely post! Thx for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteYou´re so right, great post!
ReplyDeletehttp://tinajoathome.com/
What a wonderful post. I do remember take a class in High School called Needle craft. I learn so many different things to do with needles. I will never forget that class..
ReplyDeleteHugs~
i love your collection, of cloths that you have made, truly inspiring for your girls, i have kept my daughters first sewing attempt, and i think it is going to be a growing collection too, thanks for sharing..
ReplyDeleteWhat an enjoyable post. That heirloom jumper tells a wonderful story.
ReplyDeletegreat souvenirs+sharing! glad you see+teach your kids the family tradition...happy rest of the new week!
ReplyDeleteYes! The joy of needle and thread. Such satisfaction can come from such a small tool.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that your mom kept your young treasures.
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely stitching! I hope you show us more of that skirt, I like the small portion you have showed us so far. It will be beautiful. Also it is so nice you mom kept a few of your old projects. It is amazing to see where we started from to where we are now.
ReplyDeleteOh and I can't wait to see the finished quilt you are working on with your girls. What a wonderful memory and keepsake that will be!
Elise
Oh my, the sweater is amazing. How special to still have it in the family.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for stopping by Blueskies, I appreciate your kind words!
xo
lynn
Wonderful. Such a great contrast on the denim and red!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful, sentimental post. I was drawn in immediately with all the thread and sewing. I've been pulled back to my love of sewing that I've had throughout my life. Quilts seem to bring those memories together. There's something about making a creation with reminders of bits and pieces and strings and threads of life. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your beautiful work! You had a good mother to teach you sewing and crafts.
ReplyDelete