I had a mother that sewed for me.
For as long as I can remember she made my clothes.
For many years after I was grown and married, I longed to go to the fabric stores in early fall to pick out material and patterns for new school clothes.
It was part of the rhythm of my life.
She made clothes for my dolls when I was little, and fancy party dresses for my ballroom dance classes.
Every day of the last week of high school, I came home to find a new dress laying on my bed. If I admired a blouse in Seventeen magazine, she'd make it for me, without a pattern. And just like Scarlett, she once made a dress for me out of the
When she was just 22 years old, she left Oklahoma, along with her best friend, and headed to California. They aimed at Hollywood, like so many starry-eyed young women do, but not to be in the movies; they wanted to make clothes for the stars. They landed jobs with the Designer to the Starlets, Howard Greer. She fitted and sewed for the likes of Susan Hayward and Rita Hayworth.
In Los Angeles, they met and married their husbands, and raised their families ~ and they remained best friends all their lives.
She was quite beautiful, in my eyes; a refined lady. She was proud of her English heritage, and her father who was a preacher. Her family came first above everything else, and we knew it ~ a legacy that few too many enjoy.
A special keepsake that my sis made for me, is a
piece of vintage ribbon that has our mother's picture on it and a small gathering of buttons from her button boxes.
I spent hours of my childhood dumping the buttons out on her bed and playing with them while she sewed. Nothing could be more fitting or significant.
It hangs on my dresser mirror, where I see it every day.
She remains the single greatest influence in my life; and the one
that lavished on me unconditional love.
Wishing you all a very happy Mother's Day.
Counting My Blessings,
xo Susy
I loved reading about your beautiful Mother. Where did she live in Oklahoma before going west?
ReplyDeleteSmiles,
Carol
Susy, what a beautiful tribute to your Mother. She really sounds like an amazing woman who went after and accomplished her dreams but never let the importance of her family slip away....You are a blessed woman to have had such a mother.....
ReplyDeleteOur Mother's were amazing people....Mine was born the year women got the vote.....survived the whooping cough that killed her older brother, the depression, the war, and happily and lovingly cared for our hearth and home. I loved her button box.....it was my treasure chest.
ReplyDeleteA very moving and inspiring story. I enjoyed reading your tribute to your Mother.
ReplyDeleteI so enjoyed reading this...great photos too!
ReplyDeleteThis was just the sweetest tribute. Your mother certainly was beautiful, inside and out. Not many of us can say that our mothers were designers to "the stars." That she gifted you with a new dress every day of the final week of high school shows her lavish joy in your achievement and her great love. Such a great story...
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful your mother was and how much you look like her! What a fascinating life she led. My mom sewed for me too, after going to classes to learn how to sew. She made my dresses. Such precious memories, aren't they? It sounds like your mom could make anything she set her mind to.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tribute.
xo
Claudia
I love this story about your Mom. I knew she sewed, but for a designer in Hollywood. Wow how fun. My Mom made mine and my sister's clothes too, until I was able to. She could sew without a pattern and made matching doll clothes too.
ReplyDeleteWe truly have a lot in common. The keepsake your sis made for you is indeed a treasure.
I could identify with much of this. My mother also made beautiful clothes for me as I was growing up including dance costumes. She also left Oklahoma and went to California when she was in her 20s. She never made it to Hollywood, but she was always a "star" in my eyes. She not only sewed, but she taught me to sew, and when I was a teenager I made many of my own clothes. After I got married, I sewed for her. She convinced me that I was a better seamstress than she was even though I'm sure I wasn't. Maybe she just thought it was my turn. LOL
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I totally enjoyed reading this post. Thank you for sharing.