A Tucson thrift store find stirs a sewing secret

1958-1965: I was a sewer, a lover of fabrics and beads, a seamstress educated at the elbow of my mom. Mary Surfaro was truly an artisan of wondrous clothes and crafts. My eyes always followed her hands as she cut. It was a joy to watch her piece and bring fabric to life. I loved the craft and worked hard at mimicking her artistry. No matter that it was a necessity for us to make our own clothes in those days. For me, sewing was super cool.

When I hit college I grew impatient with myself and my sewing. There was no way that I could be the disciplined sewer that my mom was. My stitches did not follow her impeccable lines. Discouraged, I let my love and talent for sewing slip away.

Fast forward half a century. Here I am, nearly as old as the oldest mom of my memory. I love her and miss her as passionately as ever. In this period of my life, it would be a joy to sew with her.

I realize now that although I can't carry on my mom's meticulous seamstress skills, I can carry on her joy of the craft. I relish my fabric stashes and my sewing tools, as she did. As I sit to sew, the movement of fabric and the sewing machine hum envelope me in a strange peace. An hour will fly by and even the most crudely shaped purse or textile art gives me such satisfaction and energy.

If only bend the rules sewing had been a choice for me years ago! No matter. I have re-embraced my sewing passion and re-invented a path for myself in the craft. More photos of vintage sewing stuff on my Tucson Cowgirl blog.

Photo caption and comment: Staring at me, on a sundries table of a Tucson thrift store, were several of these perfectly packaged sewing and needle kits, circa 1950s Japan. I also scored some beautiful glass beads from "West" Germany, and needle kits from England. Posting some pix for the retro-loving designers among us.