Where did it all begin ......

My earliest memory of crafting is when I was at primary school. In the 50’s and early 60’sewing was still a strict boy/girl divide in the classroom and I have no memory of any boys sewing with us – if they had it would have seemed very ‘odd’ to me. I made the traditional embroidered binca needle case and remember starting to knit a royal blue tea cosy which was never finished because I wasn’t considered good enough at knitting (oh how I would love to meet that teacher now).

When I was about 9 I got one of the best Christmas presents ever, a sewing machine and that was it, I was hooked. I played with bits of my mother’s scrap bag sewing them together and making blankets and simple clothes for my dollies. I thought I was wonderful, and my friends were very impressed with the machine. I still tried to knit, but just couldn’t get it right. I had now become aware that my grandmother – who lived with us and was very, very old! – could crochet and made beautiful doilies, my mother made clothes for me and for my dolls on her electric machine (very scary) and I just trundled along messing about with fabric, felt and binca.

My first day at secondary school arrived. It was an all girls school so no woodwork or metalwork, just cookery and needlework, but the sewing machines were electric. I couldn’t use one until I had made my school apron and cap, and embroidered my name on the apron too and then I was off! I never looked back from that point on, and at the same time, I learned to knit. Crocheting in the playground became fashionable when I was 14 and I became one of the ‘elite’ group who could. (Hold up stockings were also the most important accessory along with a crochet hook – there were still no cheaply available tights!) I sailed through my GCE Needlework with an A pass and went on to take A level, but that’s when it all went wrong. I loved sewing, designing, creating .... but I hated the reading, research and exams. Consequently I failed .... or did I? I was knitting 4 ply layettes, jumpers for myself, crocheting and knitting baby blankets. When my children came along I recycled clothes to make shorts and trousers for them, and knitted nearly all their winter jumpers. Fancy dress costumes, school play costumes were all made at home. I discovered patchwork, card making, and dabbled in any craft I could lay my hands on. While working as a Teacher’s Assistant I made the entire caste from Biff Chip and Kipper in rag dolls for a wall display, dressed my class of 32 plus 3 other classes in costumes for a 60’s production. By now, friends realised I had a ‘habit’ and any fabric they found at the back of the cupboard they ‘donated’ to the cause!

So where did it all begin? Well when my mum died 4 years ago, I read one of her journals; in it I discovered I am a fourth generation quilter. My great grandmother was born in about 1870, my grandmother 1890, my mother 1917 and myself in 1956. My daughter has taken up the mantle I am pleased to say and enjoys sewing and crafting so the 5th generation is already on her way. So I think it’s ‘in my genes’ and something I am only too pleased to pass on! (My granddaughter is 2, and I am waiting ‘til the time is right!!)

Mrs Goose