This is one of the saddest moments for me.
Over the past week, I have been packing up my mother’s sewing room… Taking the things I knew she wanted me to have. Sorting the rest for my dad to sell or donate. Noting the duplicate rulers and threads that she forgot she had. Finding a few UFOs to finish in her honor.
It is also a happy time, remembering the joy she had in that room. Making presents for everyone. Cursing as her bobbin ran out of thread. Singing as she sewed.
Mom loved her sewing room. Up until the end, she was convinced that she would be able to get back in there to finish one more project…
Mom started my needlework journey with me when I was seven. She taught me to do needlepoint, cross stitch, and embroidery. By the time I was nine, she had me sewing clothes and making doll clothes. At ten, I was crocheting whenever I could. She tried desperately to help me get the hang of knitting, but apparently two needles confuse my brain.
When I was in my twenties, I picked up quilting and got mom to do it to. We went to guild together, classes together, shop hops together… It was such a fun time.
Then, I got busy with my career. She had more trouble with her hands and cutting all that fabric. So, she switched to embroidery and quilting in the hoop. It kept her making for another decade.
Then, her eyesight went. The cataract surgery restored it. But then her memory started to go. Patterns were harder to follow.
So, she did the next best thing… she sent me quilt kits as gifts. I knew she really wanted them back finished… She was so happy when she got them. She told everyone about her magical way of making quilts… (haha – a little elf made them).
She was an amazing woman. I will miss her with each stitch I sew…
Cherish those times with your mother, grandmother, sister, or daughter. They pass too quickly.
Thank you, mom for giving me the love of stitching.
Happy Quilting!
Laureen,
I went through the same thing with my dad last year. My dad was good right til the the end. I made your Teacups and Lace? last in remembrance of my mom. It is hanging in my quilt room.
I get my cooking from mom and perfection from both parents. My parents were wonderful.
It’s hard to know what to say, I wish you peace with your siblings, I pray that you have friends that you you can draw on for added strength, I pray that you know the Lord and he is a source of comfort. I am a customer but even though you spell your name wrong I will pray for you.
This was my mom’s favorite verse 1 Corinthians 10:13
Don’t ask me how, but the days do get easier. You will never forget but you always cherish the special times. God Bless you In these hard days.
Loreen (not Laureen 🙂 )
Thank you for sharing. We celebrated my mom’s life this past week. She was notorious for giving recipes, which would be missing an ingredient or two. She was always giving and taking care of others. She loved to laugh. Toward the end, it was really hard for her so not she is at peace. We celebrated her with 1 Corinthians 13:13…
I’m so sorry to hear about your dear mother. My momma passed away many many years ago n I still miss her every day. She’s died young. I laughed yesterday to myself reminiscing things about her . Prayers for you n your daddy
Thank you so much for your kindness. My mom was a fighter and lived longer than most of her doctors thought she would! Now she is finally at peace. My mom was a prankster, so we we were fondly remembering that during her funeral. She loved to make people smile.
What a lovely tribute. I am so sorry for your loss. My deepest condolences to all who love her. I believe she will still ‘whisper to you, projects she would like you to complete and/or colors she would like you to use, and you may just feel her peeking over your shoulder…Hugs, Katie
Thanks, Katie. Mom is definitely in the room with me when I sew and design. Her favorite colors were blue and yellow. And she loved dragonflies… I see something in the future with that.
My thoughts and prayers go out to you during this difficult time. My Mom was not a quilter but any other craft was fair game for her to try. Her favorite was crewel embroidery and I’m still working on a couple of her WIPs. The day will come when there are more smiles than tears while working on ne of her projects. Blessings to you and all who knew and loved your Mom.
Thank you, Shirley. It sounds like your mom instilled the love of needlework in you as well. My mom found ways to keep doing needlework long after arthritis should have stopped her. Resilience and persistence were two of her strengths.
Dearest Laureen:
What you’re going through, though universal, is so very personal. Only you know the breadth and depth of your feelings, and it’s good to hear you have many happy ones mixed in with the sad ones. I think quilters are special people who feel a little more deeply about the happiness that their making gives others. Your mom sounds like one of those beautiful makers. Love and hugs to you and yours.
Jane
Thank you, Jane. My mom was an amazing woman, who helped me in so many ways. She will be with me every day in my heart.