16 Comments

Lovely story. I'm happy to report that "visible mending" is quite a robust trend at the moment--classes, workshops, books, blogs. A lot of it is decorative (hence the visible part) but it is also all about recycling and reusing so it's a good thing.

Expand full comment

Grandma would have been appalled! But I think it is sweet. Though I still darn or mend my clothes so no one can see! Do you remember our young days when visible patches were all the thing?

Expand full comment

I think the intent beneath it is the same, it's just a different expression, so maybe she'd have enjoyed it! And I do remember those days. I spent hours patching my boyfriend's jeans.

Expand full comment

this is all so amazing to me, I was raised very differently, but I really admire her tor this

Expand full comment

It is a cultural thing I think.

Expand full comment

For me, one of the rewards of menopause was never having to soak or handwash a pair of underwear ever again -- I hated it. I do mend my drawers at the first sign of a hole and when they are not mendable they go to the rag bag (good, plain cotton). I do handwash sweaters and silk long underwear, usually when I'm taking a bath, putting the garments in the tub with me. I bring some hangers into the bathroom and hang the silk tops when I'm done. The sweaters I roll up in towels before drying them flat on dry towels covered with other towels. No dry cleaning for me.

Expand full comment

Evening Sharyn. Hand washing is such an important lesson for our kids. I am horrified when my mother in law instructs us to just throw her sweaters in the washer then the dryer. But what if they shrink I say or go Pilly. That’s what shops are for she says.

It horrifies me!

Expand full comment

Yes. That is a different world view. My Mom once had a designer cashmere sweater thrown in the washing machine by temporary help -- it shrank to the size of doll clothes.

Expand full comment

That would have broken my heart. Cashmere is so precious.

Expand full comment

It’s good that you have vivid memories of her. My paternal grandmother and I shared the same birthday. She was Irish and born in Liverpool. My maternal grandmother had very long white hair and tended a huge garden. I don’t know what they did with all that food.

Expand full comment

Maybe she put up all those vegetables and all that food for winter- that was a big thing out here especially in the Midwest right? Where you were.

Expand full comment

I love this story. My nanna was a seamstress, knitter and crocheter. I wish I still had the clothes she made for me. My grandfather was also called Pa. It's his birthday so this is my second time today remembering and missing them. We are so fortunate to have the memories. Thanks for sharing yours ♡

Expand full comment

My grandmother, handmade my confirmation dress. White silk. Hand stitched, no machine used on silk. Smocking. it was amazing. white on white embroidery at the cuffs and the hem.I can still remember it. I wish I still had it too

Expand full comment

You are right about that. I do remember her canned things in the pantry and outdoor cellar. I’m sure glad we have freezers now.

Expand full comment
Comment deleted
Jan 22
Comment deleted
Expand full comment

She sounds a lot like my grandma. Tough. Interesting that she showed her love with food. I don’t come from a long line of good cooks!

Expand full comment
Comment deleted
Jan 22
Comment deleted
Expand full comment

I love peas! What was in it - can you remember?

Expand full comment