Cecilia 11 months ago
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- Registered: 3 years ago
profile
City:
Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Birth Date:
January 13, 1956
About:
Yes, I'm a lefty - in more than one sense of the word. I love cats, play guitar and sing, and have what I call "lavender blonde" hair color.
My mother, who was born in Poland, taught me to crochet when I was young. She was right-handed, but taught me left-handed. She was much more intelligent and creative than she was given credit for. My father was brilliant, musical, uber-literate, skilled in math, and multilingual, but these attributes were obvious to all. My seven siblings and I inherited various combinations of these traits, but unfortunately, my lack of self-esteem prevented me from attaining my potential in any of them.
Now that I'm over 60, I find myself exploring my mother’s handicrafts. She was a tailor/seamstress by trade, but was also skilled in knitting, crochet, and embroidery. I wish I had asked her whether she wove, quilted or tatted. Her mother, my Babcia, worked as a dressmaker specializing in bridal and formal wear. My paternal grandmother (also Polish) quilted and made rag rugs, in addition to sewing, like most other Depression-era mothers had to do.
I believe that Needlecraft is the main avenue that our foremothers used to communicate, produce necessary items, and create art, at a time when their personal freedom was severely limited. All of us, male and female, can learn much from them. I only wish I had realized this earlier in my life.
My mother, who was born in Poland, taught me to crochet when I was young. She was right-handed, but taught me left-handed. She was much more intelligent and creative than she was given credit for. My father was brilliant, musical, uber-literate, skilled in math, and multilingual, but these attributes were obvious to all. My seven siblings and I inherited various combinations of these traits, but unfortunately, my lack of self-esteem prevented me from attaining my potential in any of them.
Now that I'm over 60, I find myself exploring my mother’s handicrafts. She was a tailor/seamstress by trade, but was also skilled in knitting, crochet, and embroidery. I wish I had asked her whether she wove, quilted or tatted. Her mother, my Babcia, worked as a dressmaker specializing in bridal and formal wear. My paternal grandmother (also Polish) quilted and made rag rugs, in addition to sewing, like most other Depression-era mothers had to do.
I believe that Needlecraft is the main avenue that our foremothers used to communicate, produce necessary items, and create art, at a time when their personal freedom was severely limited. All of us, male and female, can learn much from them. I only wish I had realized this earlier in my life.