When I was about 7 years old my Mom taught me how to embroider. Mom would take a flour sack dishtowel and she would iron a picture onto the corner of the towel. She would then help me fasten the towel into a wooden hoop and I would use a very basic stitch to outline the picture. I remember the time I was working very hard and when I went to put the embroidery aside and I had stitched the towel to my dress. All the stitching had to be removed in order to detach it from my dress. Expert I was not.
A couple years later Mom taught me how to crochet. I would make granny square afghans and other simple projects. Mom would cut a decorative dishtowel in half and stitch the end, then I would crochet the top so it could hang from a cupboard or stove handle. It seemed like we made hundreds of these towels for gifts and to sell.
Eventually I also learned how to sew. I made my first project in 7th grade Home Economics class. It was a very simple top. After that I made numerous skirts, tops and dresses. Some turned out really well, other projects would sit unfinished because they just weren't turning out as expected.
Recently, I have had the desire to try quilting. My Mom has been piecing and quilting for about 25 years so once again I am seeking her advice on learning a new craft. So far the fabric has been selected and washed. It will then to be cut, arranged, pieced and quilted. I'm really looking forward to working on this project and once again learning from my Mom.
Have you ever thought about all the sewing projects mentioned in the Bible? In Exodus 28, we learn about the garments that would be made for the priests. These no doubt were extraordinary garments. "And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty." Exodus 28:2.
Hannah was barren and prayed to the Lord for a son. She promised to "give him unto the Lord all the days of his life." The Lord answered her prayer and the child was named Samuel. Samuel went to live with the priest Eli and minister unto the Lord. "Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year... 1 Samuel 2:19. A mother making a coat for her son she had given back to the Lord. What love would have gone into making that coat.
"Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did." Acts 9:36 Dorcas had been ill and died. Peter was sent for and when he arrived widows were there weeping and showing him the coats and garments Dorcas had made. Dorcas was a seamstress that would make clothing for those in need.
My skills in embroidery would not have been called on for the priestly garments and the fleece coat I made for my daughter when she was little couldn't compare to the coat Hannah made for Samuel. But I do feel I can follow the example set by Dorcas in sewing for those in need. A nice warm quilt to wrap up in on a cold night or dresses made from decorative pillow cases for girls. There are "sew" many possibilities for me the pick from.
Jesus said "For I was an hungered, and you gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me." Matthew 25:35 & 36
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