Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Yesterday was Monday --- in every sense of the word. I worked ten and a half hours…but came home to air conditioning. Don even cooked supper. Remember I work in an airplane hangar, I was tired, hot, and dirty from lugging parts around. We’ve got a couple of big maintenance jobs so I have been busy trying to get parts lined up for them.

I have a picture of my grandmothers sewing box and my sewing box. My grandmother, in Louisiana, passed away two weeks after I had Eric. My grandfather passed away two weeks before I had Chelsey. Consequently, living so far away, I missed both of their services. I always kind of look at their passing and the birth of my kids as all part of that circle of life.

My mom says I’m just like my grandmother always having a needle in my hand. The sewing basket is one of a few things that were given to me after her death. It probably came from the dollar store. Most of her stuff did. I’m so glad I have it. It still had one of her thimbles, and some wooden spools of thread.

My sewing “tin” lives on the coffee table. It keeps two thimbles, 4 spools of thread, a tiny pair of scissors and a pincushion filled with pins and needles. I love having it there for quilting in a moment’s notice. But the silly truth is, I like having it there for sewing on that lost button from Don’s pants or hemming Chelsey’s skirt, or mending something of Eric’s.

I fuss at the kids about picking up after themselves, but no one complains about Mom’s stuff sitting there. While everyone thinks of it as ‘Mom’s sewing box,’ though it’s kind of comforting thinking that little sewing box is there….. for everyone…..

15 comments:

Unknown said...

Melanie - you're right about your sewing stuff being to hand - my family think it's perfectly normal to have the sewing machine up in the 'playroom' all the time - when a quick and easy repair job needs doing I just change the bobbin and do it - Voila! - it's a normal part of our home and it always surprises me when a visiting child expresses surprise at it being there - or worse still doesn't know what it is or what I'm doing as I sit at it - isn't it sad that some people go through their entire life not surrounded by fabric and sewing accoutrements

Libby said...

I couldn't agree more. My sewing machine has taken permanent residence right by the front door and there are hand sewing supplies always available on the table next to my chair. It has all become part of the decor and no one seems to notice any more. I am new to bloggerland and have enjoyed your posts -- thanks for sharing.

Shelina said...

What a sweet post. You should print it out and put it on the inside cover of your box.

Your family probably considers this to be your box because they know better than to take off with anything in the box.

I find that wherever I choose to put my stuff is always a good place to put my stuff. It becomes a permanent place because I just haven't thought of anything better. It is my daughter who puts her stuff where it doesn't belong!

quiltpixie said...

its good to have something so useful in memory of your grandmother -- something that you actually understand and apprciate not just a dust collector.

MARCIE said...

Love your "Link to the past" with your grandmother's sewing box a long side yours. My grandmother comes into my mind every day bringing love and encouragement. She made lovely things as well. Always my role model. Regarding your previous post--glad you dodged that bullet, Mel. You take care!

Juliann in WA said...

I never thought about it but my little sewing box sits next to my quilting chair all the time too! I think my family knows that if it isn't out, I won't quilt and then I will be glum about not quilting so . . . isn't there an old saying If mom isn't happy, nobody is happy?

Cathi said...

I love the sewing tin! I have started collecting a few of them myself.

I have all my hand sewing in a smartlap lap desk...instant sewing surface for doing my Dear Jane blocks...not as pretty as a lovely tin, but works for me now! Kids haven't figured out how to open it...yet...

kim said...

Hi there! I can't tell you how nice it felt for you to check on me! I'm still trying to catch up on all the post I've missed, and I'm leaving in about 1 hour for 1 more trip- (I'm having blog withdrawal.)

I love your post- I have my grandmother's knitting bag, and it means the world to me, even though I don't knit, I feel connected to her with that bag.

Good job on the biking! My husband just bought me a bike, so we could bike together. You helped inspire me to get out there and do it! Thanks again for the posts on my blog, it meant more than you know! I'll be back next week. Take care! Kim :-)

Hanne said...

What a lovely sewing box given to you after your grandmother's death.
A very special thing to own :-)

Fiona said...

This reminded me so much of my own Gran. Her sewing machine was always 'out' on the table in her front room. She sewed on it every day and I still think the sound of sharp scissors cutting through fabric is one of the best there is! I'll bet that there aren't many of us who don't have fond memories of mothers and grandmothers who sewed.

Linda C said...

you definitely don't know when that mending request is going to be made. Good to have that connection with family when you use it---I have a glass bowl that my great grandmother used and a lot of my grandmother's buttons. I treasure them both.

Mary Johnson said...

I keep a sewing box by my chair in the living room too. Has all my binding supplies plus some stuff for applique.

Eileen said...

It's wonderful that you have your grandmother's box. It must warm your heart that you can continue the tradition.
I've never had a "sewing room" so my family doesn't think twice about the sewing machine being on the dining table. I've sewn a lot of Boy Scout badges at that table.

Tracey said...

My dd has that same sewing tin and loves it! It was a Christmas gift to her from her aunt...and I have tried to find one just like it for ME...unsuccessfully. :o/ I love sewing tins.

a said...

I have the very same orange sewing box!!! I had given it to my mother back when I was 14 (I had found it at a neighbor's garage sale)--after she died my dad must have gotten rid of it...a few years ago I found it again at a thrift store--even had the same crack in the top...I think it was one of those "spiritual connections"...Anyway, saw the pic on your blog and went WOW! Just like mine (& my mom's), made me think of my mom again. Thanks.