Sunday, February 22, 2009

Down Memory lane


As a child, I was lucky enough to have a Mother that sewed and loved doing so.
My Mother made a lot of clothes for me as a child and young woman. She even made some designer clothing for me when I was pregnant with my kids.
Every Easter and Christmas without fail My Mother sewed a red dress for me. I am a red head and hated to wear red and still do but it is my favorite color. My Daddy liked red. So he picked the color, I picked the fabrics and Mom made the pattern then the dress. She started sewing at the age of 10 for herself when she got her first job. She did laundry and babysat for the neighbors to buy fabric.

One year Momma made me this dress. Butterflies are my thing. Always have been. So she made this dress for me for Christmas. Out of all the things she has made me and there are 100's of outfits this was my favorite. The funny thing is I hated dresses except at Christmas. My dolly had a matching outfit but I don't know where that went. She saved this dress and the bottom skirt was turned into a coming home outfit for my eldest son when he was born.
I came across this picture the other day and all those wonderful memories came flooding back. I know I was a goofey looking kid but I am showing you this picture despite that fact.
I never have sewn for my kids. Oh little things but no clothing. I never enjoyed making clothes for people. I often tease my Mother and tell her that dolls don't complain if the arms are too tight.. LOL

I was curious if any of you doll makers/artists have a story to tell about your favorite outfit?

I had a very busy day today and am just dog tired. So off to bed I go my friends.
I hope to show you some goodies tomorrow. We shall see how much I can get done if I get some rest.
Hugs,Pea

16 comments:

Artisan Memories said...

You could be me in that picture...Im a red head too..and when i was about that age my hair was that lenghth and curly..wow...Arent our mothers just God sends with the talents they pass down to us..
Bless you!!!
Laura Ann

HowlingMoonDesigns said...

Hi Pea..
First off we all looked kinda goofy at that age..LOL
My Grandma used to make us girls new Nightgowns every Christmas :)..
Not just plain ones, but with lots of ruffles down the front and around the bottoms, usually in plaids..I soooo looked forward to my new , pretty nightgown every year.
My Mom sewed some, She taught me to sew on an old "Brother" machine when I was 9..That machine used to scare me to death at first..LOL..
I became the sewer in the family, and used to make dresses for myself, my lil sister and even my Mom..LOL..I made clothers for my Daughter when she was little, I even used to stencil lil cabbage patch faces on them..LOL..
But the last several years I HATE sewing..LOL..Like you said " Dolls don't complain the arms are to tight"..LOL
Candy

PEA said...

Laura Ann,
Oh how funny is that? We red heads tend to look alike in some fashion or another. Just strong genes I guess. LOL
Yes, my Mother is a blessing to have taught me to sew. I thank her for it all the time.
Blessings,Pea

PEA said...

LOL Candy,
too funny and yet true.
How wonderful it is to have a new night gown. I hated night gowns so that is one thing mom never made. They always ended up around my neck or I got cold.
My mom even made my bras and unders when I was younger. One year we had matching. LOL
I used to love to sew when I was little but only when it was icky outside. I was a outside kid. So when it was nice you knew where to find me. LOL
Yep, dollies don't complain and I still love to sew for them. LOL
Have a wonderful day my friend
Hugs,Pea

Heidi said...

Second grade picture day I forgot to tell my mom and my picture was taken in the drab brown Holly Hobbie fabric jumpsuit she had made. On half the jumpsuit the Holly Hobbies were facing up and on the other half the Holly Hobbies were facing down. My mom was mad that I wore that outfit for pictures but when I look at them I am so glad I had it on.

PEA said...

Heidi,
I bet that is one of the few grade school pictures you remember too huh?
Makes ya giggle cause that was love in that there cloth.
Maybe some day I will tell you all about my slide! LOL My Mother hates that story! Ohhh she gets so mad. Hugs,Pea

Meadowbrook Cabin Primitives said...

Pea ..adorable photo !
Yes, my mom made some of my clothes too.. my favorite was a brown dress with a detachable white collar.
I have made clothes in the past, but it's not my favorite thing to do... unless it's a dollie dress.. I love making those !

HUGS !
Linda

~Tonya said...

I am with you Pea, dollies don't complain. Neat picture and that was so nice of your Mom to make clothing for you. My Mom was not and still till this day, does not sew.

I have only made one real piece of clothing to wear and that was in Home Ec because I had too, in 8th grade. LOL Got an A+ on it, but what a pain in the arse.

Hugs to ya,
~Tonya

PEA said...

Thank you Linda,
Oh what a blessings it is to have those memories of our favorite outfits. I had a few actually.
Yep, like making dolly clothes the best.
have a wonderful week dear lady.
Pea

PEA said...

Thank you Tonya,
I had to make crap in school too. Worst part of it I got the bad machine. I would have to take it home and sew it. I hated doing sleeves and still do. I got a A+ too but only wore it once. I was sick of looking at it after ripping it out 3 times.LOL {Pain in the arse is right.
Have a good one
hugs,Pea

Countryfolk Keepsakes said...

What a great post!!! You are adorable and what a beautiful dress!
Gee, I can't remember my favorite outfit. But I do remember I couldn't live without my red rubbers. (I know... weird huh?!)
Thanks so much for the smiles this mornin'!! :> )
~Peanut

Monkey-Cats Studio said...

Love the photo and the story to go with it. My mother also made dresses for myself and 2 sisters. My favorite dress was an Easter dress made in light blue with tiny little raised fuzzy polka dots with a nubby two button coat. It had a full skirt and I had a can-can--I felt like a dancer in that thing and twirled and twirled. Great memory!! Thanks for that Pea!!
Laurie

PEA said...

Peanut,
Oh rubbers were a staple huh? I still like them but they hurt my feet. No support in them things. LOL
Thank you sweetie, how nice of you to say.
Hugs,Pea

PEA said...

Laurie,
Oh you are welcome and thank you for your lovely comments. I loved to twirl too! I had a few dresses that did that. LOL
These memories define who we are. It is fun to share stuff like this to me anyway.
Have a wonderful week
Hugs,Pea

Anonymous said...

Oh, I love it!!!! Adorable... My mother did not sew but, my most favorite thing growing up was my Welcome back Kotter overalls.... hahahaha...Don't laugh, they were awesome, white with all the guys on them and sayings and I bet they were bell bottoms...Okay, you can laugh...LOL... Hugs Pea... MO

PEA said...

MO,
You are so funny! OH MY GOD I loved that show and has my John T. on there. Heee hee.
Hugs,Pea