09/07/2026
How stinkin’ adorable are these?! I was gifted a big vintage sewing box months ago that’s been basically ignored and gathering dust in my shop ever since. Great pop of color but just taking up valuable space.. so I pulled it thinking I’d donate but knowing it may end up in a landfill. That’s what made me pause.. someone spent years using this box full of bits and bobs. For basic necessities, beautiful things, and whimsical creations ~ all made with loving hands.
So I sat looking through it, thinking of my own mother. And my grandmother. And all the women in my family of that generation.. most of them were at an expert level of craftsmanship in everything they did, especially my mother. At her life’s end there were examples of it throughout her home~ and an entire room dedicated to supplies. Computerized sewing equipment, sergers, and things I couldn’t begin to name..
But what I remember most were her friendships. “The girls” would all gather at least weekly bringing their latest projects and sit together working on them. They called it “Stitch & Bitch”. Mom had a machine that would embroider FOR her~ but I never saw her use that function. Her cross stitches were tiny, minutely done by hand under a huge magnifying glass light thing that always hung over her lap once her eyesight gave out. She never gave up.
So when I sat quietly going through this old box of sewing supplies.. needles, tailors chalk, curtain weights and tiny snaps for baby clothes, zippers and hook & eyes~ it took me back. The yo-yo quilt circle doll.. how many hundreds of those little yo-yo’s she made.
That talent skipped my generation (obviously), but the dedication to give your best to your chosen path did not.
I’ll be bringing these little jars of creative history to The Garage on 25 today. They’re for sale~ but I highly recommend you gain inspiration from them. Gather your own family memories and make something special to You. From your past, from a vacation, from the pockets of your youngster.. Trust me- if iiiii can do it, so can You. ♥️
