Vintage Fabric

Last time I went home (in early February) to visit my mom I came home with three garbage bags full of fabric. My husband wondered what I was going to do with the fabric. I told him I was going to sew, and it was cheaper to use the fabric she already owned.

Fabric is so expensive these days. I recently purchased 1 yard of canvas, 1/2 yard each of two cotton prints, and some interfacing. It was over $24. From the material, I have made two tote purses for girls turning two. It used to be that mums would sew their children's clothes to save money. But, it seems to me that it is cheaper to buy clothes from the store than to make them. I know this isn't the case if you purchase really expensive clothing, say $500 dresses. I don't own any expensive clothes. So, in my case, I think it would take more fabric and time for me to make my own clothes that to purchase them from a store. Besides, I do not have the skill to make appealing clothing.

I plan on sewing some summer dresses for my daughter, pajamas for my daughter and myself, some head scarves, and some tote bags. I may even try to make my own skirt, eventually, but I need to improve my sewing skills before attempting that.

I am so excited though, because a lot of the fabric is vintage, and belonged to my grandmother. It was so fun to riffle through the fabric and choose what I wanted to use.

I saw fabrics that my grandma had used to make toys and dolls for me as a child. My grandma made the neatest dolls and made clothes for the dolls. One year, she made me a pair of pajamas. The same year she made a doll for me, and that doll had an identical pair of pajamas on. She is an amazing seamstress, although she doesn't sew anymore because....

I am lucky enough to own her Bernina sewing machine. My mother-in-law has told me in the past that she is jealous of my sewing machine. It really is a great machine. It works so well, and I love using it. I really do feel lucky that my grandma passed it along to me. I am also proud to tell her that I am using it, and finally teaching myself the art of sewing. She used to beg to teach me when I was still in high school, but I just didn't have any interest in it beyond the simple scruncii (hair elastic) project. I was too interested in boys and sports. Now, I wish she lived closer to me so she could teach me all the ins and outs of sewing. Instead I am learning as I go, and making a lot of mistakes, too.

I am storing all of the fabric in this dresser that my dad made for me when I was a child. He also built a table to go with the set. A table matches the dresser that was built by my Uncle Bill. I love being able to have these pieces of furniture in my home, and look forward to when my daughter is old enough to use them for her pretend play. I have three or four other pieces of furniture in my home that my father gave to me, and I will cherish them for my lifetime.