"Happiness in Stitching" on Sewing Machine Day

According to Geneabloggers (www.geneabloggers.com) today is Sewing Machine Day. In a flash this brought alive to me the image of my mother whose happiness lay in stitching. 

My mother  Kathleen (Kay) Weston, nee Danson (on the left in this photo) was born in 1908 in the small town of Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire. Her older sister Edith was equally talented and they made their clothes on an old fashioned treadle machine in the family home, which did not have electricity until the late 1950's. 

From their photographs they clearly enjoyed fashion. At the age of 14, Mum was apprenticed to be a tailoress and was still making her own clothes (on a much more sophisticated machine)  in her 80's.

Mum set up her own dress-making business from home  and continued this throughout her life.  In the 1950's this meant working in the spare bedroom which was icy cold in winter and hot and stuffy in summer.  I remember one time when my little brother - a typical boy into everything - got hold of her oiling can, filled it with water and proceeded to "oil" the sewing machine!.  He was not very popular for some time.   

"Happiness in Stitching" could be my mother's motto. For her going into a fabric shop was like going into a jeweller's. If she sat down, she was rarely without a needle in her hand. She was a creator in patchwork, crochet, collage, felt work, smocking, knitting, embroidery, smocking, dolls and dresses, with dabbles into millinery, lampshade making and china painting.

My Sunday coats always had velvet collars, embroidered with flowers and a matching bonnet. Summer holidays meant a new sundress, with a matching bolero.  

My brother and I in outfits made by my mother c.1948
See the smocking on the baby dress
& cross stitch embroidery on my blouse

Costumes Mum helped make  for the local Staining Gala Day
I am front left - early 1950's.

As a child, I had the best dressed dolls on the street and especially remember my Coronation Doll of 1953 with its white dress and long embroidered purple velvet train.  One of my favourite toys was, a now very politically incorrect, hand-made Golliwog with his  checked trousers, red jacket and bow tie.

Many years on, my daughter was the recipient of nursery collages, soft toys, a Cindy wardrobe, costume dolls, crochet waistcoats and fashion jumpers.

I don't have Mum's skill, but I have inherited her love of handicrafts and she left me with tangible memories of a very talented lady.

My mother Kathleen Weston, nee Danson
1980's.

Based on a posting first written in December 2010

Copyright © 2012 · Susan Donaldson.All Rights Reserve