A Stitch in Time

I “sew” loved Cathie Desjardins’ Connections piece, “Sew Fun” (November 20). As a grandmother and seamstress, having sewn clothes for my children, etc., she brought me back to the world of snaps, hooks and eyes, selvages, bobbins, tailor’s chalk, Dritz fasteners, etc. She made me smile.

Claire M. Briand

South Dennis

I was so touched by this story I had to respond. My mother, who passed away in April, was also a proud child of the Depression. She was an extraordinary seamstress, taught by her mother, and both passed sewing skills to their daughters. I shared this story with my sister and it transported both of us back in time to when we spent hours poring over patterns at our local fabric store, then our mother turned them into our dreams come true.

Sharon M O’Neill

Belmont

I live in an independent living facility. On my floor lived a fabulous 97-year-old woman who had a sewing machine in her apartment. Ethel had learned to sew as a teenager, made a stylish outfit and won a Singer sewing machine contest. From that moment on, she was an avid seamstress. Like Ethel, I had made dresses for my daughters when they were young and nightgowns and doll dresses and blankets for my grandchildren. Ethel took note of the fact that I had done quite a bit of sewing. Ethel’s health was declining and her family moved her to an assisted living facility. The sewing machine was not going, so they asked if I would like it. At first, I was reluctant but thought maybe I would donate it to a school. It has been sitting in my dining area for one year and somehow I have not been able to send it on its way.

Kaye Richardson

Milton