Cup Of Twee

Gran’s sewing room always felt like another world for me. I would sometimes sneak in and marvel at the many coloured thread spools and bobbins organized in old cookie tins, always labeled ever so carefully. There were hand sewn cloth books to hold her embroidery needles, extra buttons and thread for jackets, each labeled with the date and matching item. A particularly peculiar and peculiarly particular lady, my Gran kept diligent track of her many thimbles, making sure I always returned them to their rightful place. She had a genuine love and respect for materials that demanded attentiveness to even the smallest sewing project. Her ability to tie a perfect knot at the end of a thread with just her thumb and pointer finger still amazes me, even now.

I have now inherited much of her wondrous collection of “bits” and buttons. Running my hands through them, the memories return. While not all valuable monetarily, these incidentals are my Gran. When I create a new brooch or simply select a pair of buttons to form into studs, her story combines with mine. My hope is that each piece will find new life in the possession of another, like me, bringing inspiration for the future and perhaps a connection to their own maternal past.