Dear Jessica (Memory Blanket)

Dear Jessica,

I am so honored to be the person that made your memory blanket.  I'd like you to know how much this project meant to me, and what I can only imagine it will mean to you and your family.

right before final piecing

graphs used for layout

What started out as 5 big bags full of your childhood history turned into a carefully crafted family heirloom.  Over the past seventeen years, your mother selected and saved pieces of clothing from your childhood and teenage years with the intention of having them all combined to create one precious TRULY priceless keepsake.  When I started cutting the tiny baby clothes I could not help but imagine a tiny little girl dressed in each sweet dress.  I imagine that your parents lovingly admired you when you wore each of them.  I imagine photos being taken, words being exchanged, smiles, laughter and memories- lots of sweet memories that will grant you joy and comfort as you navigate your way into adulthood.

The bathing suits, jackets, jeans and the t-shirts from gymnastics, swim school, girls scout camps, soccer, races, charity events, cheerleading, concerts, and Broadway shows made it clear that your parents gave you a full, enjoyable, happy life with so many incredible experiences.  While I set aside piles of scrap pieces after cutting the perfect part of each piece of clothing to sew together on the blanket, I found myself hoping that you know full well how deeply you are cherished by your parents.  No one needed to tell me that they made a happy, memorable childhood for their daughter a great priority.  These seemingly endless piles of clothing showed me that their time, energy, resources, and loving hearts contributed unconditionally toward loving and celebrating you as their daughter. 

marking and piecing

As I worked on piecing this blanket together, my own children (boys ages 15, 13, and 10) along with many of their friends (mostly boys, too) pondered the project.  Anything from "Manasquan SUCKS!" (hey, they're from Neptune, St. Rose, and Ocean) to "Wow.  That's a lot of stuff." to "Uhmmm... this is a little bit extreme." to "Did her mom spend her whole life saving clothes for this blanket? Who does that?" to "Are you sure this girl isn't going to freak out when she sees that you cut her clothes?" to "Yuck. Justing Beiber!!!"  Their comments were varied and unique (as they all are) but one thing resonated through their banter:  they knew without question that someone cared enough and cherished you enough to save all of your precious things: they could see that you are deeply loved.  I hope that during difficult, challenging times in the years to come that you will hold on to that fact and let it strengthen you.  I hope that you know your family's love as well as you know your own name; it should be something you never ever forget or doubt.  It is now seamed carefully together for you to ponder whenever you wish.  Even when you are not cuddled comfortably under this blanket, I hope that the love that it took to create every single memory that every single piece symbolizes will always surround you.

My youngest son started assessing his clothing and telling me what he intends to save for his own memory blanket.  What started as an exciting challenging project ended in inspiration in the mind of my ten year old boy to create his own family heirloom.  We went to the beach right after your mother came to pick up the blanket and he said (as he took his t-shirt off and threw it on the sand) "I want this shirt- my fourth grade celebration shirt- to be part of my memory blanket," right before he ran toward the ocean and tumbled into the waves.  What a blessing it is to me that he was inspired by your family.

As in all handmade items (and all of life) you will find little flaws if you look closely.  Some things were very difficult to sew together.  Some things were traced out or cut slightly askew.  Some pieces are imperfect.  As there is no precise pattern to our lives, there was no precise pattern to this blanket.  Nonetheless, this came straight from the hearts of people who dearly love you and that is why this blanket is so beautiful.  I hope that you see that much like in life, the little flaws or mistakes are insignificant when compared to the big beautiful finished product. 

When you have children of your own, I imagine that you will share the joy and warmth of this blanket and all the memories it symbolizes.  When you are an old lady rocking in your chair, I imagine that this blanket will be draped across your lap as you look at each memory with sweet nostalgia and fondness.  I imagine that your grandchildren will marvel at it and ask you about all the little pieces.  You may even tire of telling the same story over and over again as they sit with you and look upon it with wonder, imagining the full, joyous life their grandmother lived as a child.

This project touched my life and the lives around me in ways I did not realize when I agreed to do the work.  Everyone who knew I was making this blanket also knew that I was deeply honored to be the person to make such a precious family heirloom.  Every piece ran through my hands and my sewing machines.  I thank you for this little part I now have in your family history.  I hope that many years from now, you might contact me with the hopes of making a memory blanket for your own child. If by chance I am too old to take on the work (and perhaps rocking in a chair with a memory blanket of my very own) do not worry.  I intend to pass my trade on and I trust that I will find someone else who will feel as blessed and honored to stitch pieces of precious history together as I. 

memories sewn together- almost 10ft x 10ft

Happy graduation, Jessica.  May this blanket always always remind you that you are covered and surrounded by love.

Sincerely,
Tina

So many stitches!

I thought I'd start a picture blog on all the neat-o stuff that I sew. My blog on running gets so much action but I know that this obscure old world amazing dying art of cutting fabric to the right dimensions and stitching it together with a glorified over-rated stapler-like appliance is pretty cool. Especially because I'm not haggard or old or frigid. Ha.

I used to do slipcovers all the time. I had a nice little word-of-mouth business going for myself. Now, I sew full time for a big company (nothing to do with home decor or clothing at all whatsoever) and I sew a lot less in my "spare" time. I miss using the tiny bit of creativity that I have. Slipcovers, in spite of what they seem to be, do not involve too much creativity. It's all measurement, symmetry, angles and fit.

Here are a few of my favorite slipcovers.

I patterned these on site in the customer's home and stopped by for one fit check. (I actually did two identical couches) It has no zipper- it slips on and since it gets tucked into the sides, the fit depends on the tucking so a zipper in not necessary and it could add visible asymmetry. This is a stretch white puckered fabric. Fabulous- but it would last about a week in my home before I lost my mind trying to keep the white white...

This one was a dumpster dive ottoman that I covered to match a comfortable over-sized chair. Before and after are night and day!

And here's the oversized chair. Sadly, I only have one "progress" photo of it. This could not be fitted inside out as the chair is so well used that it lost it's symmetry big time. I agreed to do these in a heavy tapestry for the customer. Yes, I charged an inconvenience fee. :)

And here are a pair of barrel chairs. I took one to my work room and hoped like hell that the other was structurally identical. The customer later told me that the chairs were stored on their sides for awhile. You can see the fit on the back of one is a tad loose. When I pointed it out to the customer she had no idea what I was talking about but this haunted me for a few days after delivery. I'm over it now, in case you are wondering...

I only have a little experience with barrel chairs. The fit was a challenge. Just like fitting a persons body (no angles or edges) you want it to really fit, but not be too tight. All you need is one big person to sit on the thing and if it's too snug, RRRRRRIIIIIPPPPP!!!! That would be very awkward. Here's a photo of my attempt at fitting the back and placing the zipper as per the customer's request.

Lastly, much like the shoemaker's kids have no shoes, I have one slipcover in my home. Even though I purchased a used sofa solely based on it's shape and size, (like I choose my men, ha... just kidding) it is still living in my living room in an ugly multi colored floral jacquard. This slipcovered chair is in the corner of my bedroom. I love it's feminine curves, don't you?

More to come- and I do sew more than just furniture costumes. Thanks for looking!