Sunday, September 29, 2013

Story behind a blouse 不一樣的襯衣

Not a fashionable wear nor a costly blouse but it's made of love - my mum made it.  That's the leaves print fabric I made then my mum turned it a blouse.....
一件襯衫, 不是時款也不是什麼貴價物料, 但祗此一件慈母手中線, 是我八十多歲母親以我的植物印染布料給我設計的上衣, 能不珍惜 ?
My mother is 80+. She's quite independant.   I mentioned before we go to collect windfalls for my ecoprints at times.  Pictures taken above were after strong storm.  Lots of euc branches and other flowers blown off.  She picked for me to do prints and petals to put on a dish for her home decoration.  She used to be resilient and confident.  She still manages quite well her  routines and goes to church every Sunday.  Can't deny she's getting aged.  She said  she's getting poor memory and not capable as before.  She finds life content but scares may be of dementia that would be a burden to us.  She wished if she could go to heaven in the sleep without any burden to us would be good.  I told her just follow God's guidance and not to worry anything.   I console her even I myself is not smart in memory.  I wanted to make her find her capability again and asked if she could make me a blouse of the cotton fabric I printed with leaves. 
She makes her tops by hand stitches at times.  I've no doubt to ask her to cut it a "T" shape of front & back and do the running stitches without measurement.  A few days later she gave me the semi-finished blouse for my final touch-up.  I was quite happy that she made it.
I machine sewed the seams,  I intentionally keep the blue thread of her running stitches on waist lines.
The neckline and both arm lines I sewed with the "not-so-good" leaves printed silk fabric to have a bit color.
Here's the piece my mum and I made.
Prints are of iron mordant eucalyptus and rose leaves - kind of subtle and organic on cotton.
The blouse I dressed to office with iron dyed scarf as waist wrap.... casual walk in the suburb with iron printed fabric belt ...........
When I was a pupil I  found my school emblem nicely stitched,  the surface looks like machine sewed.
  I  treasure the blouse she made and the moment we're together.  
Being children we should care our parents, spend more time, be patient..... when they know who we are.  I've some friends who's dad or mum doesn't recognize their children because of dementia.  It's sad.

13 comments:

  1. What a beautiful story! The blouse is elegant indeed! But the story behind it is a real treasure...
    I wish your mom lives long and in good health and sound memory!
    Thank you for sharing!

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  2. What a beautiful and touching post. Thank you so much for sharing this. I love the blouse and know that it is a treasure for you. You and your mother are surely a gift to one another. Many blessings to both of you.

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    1. Thanks Dawn for the blessing. Always love to read your sweet words, very encouraging.

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  3. So, so lovely ... and a most beautiful & touching story.

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  4. Ensuring that your mother returns to skills she has is one way to help her maintain her confidence and her memories - good for both of you!

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  5. And this garment is indeed the most beautiful treasure made by your mother and you, as a reminder of the love you both have for one another and the bond of making beautiful things.
    We all do get forgetful. Last evening 2 of my brothers and their wives came and we enjoyed an open pit fire and to eat a bit and chat. One subject came up about our mother who is elderly now and how forgetful she has become. It seems the situation has become reverse, we are no longer the ones who need the care, but have become the care givers. It can become frustrating, to deal with some of the issues she presents to us. Our mother was not always a kind person, but yet she is still our mother and because of our efforts to do for her she is still able to live in her own home. She does not drive and is dependent on us. We share the chores and she is able to manage some things even though she is considerably slower now with old age. This is a definite time, when we who have elderly parents, need God to guide us in patience.

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    1. Yes, Susanne, that's true it's now our time to care. Health is matter most. Just follow God's guidance.

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  6. such a heart touching post.I'm so glad your Mum and you had this to share, continued good health and happiness to you both, what a treasure!

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  7. Lovely post and sweet blouse. I love reading about your mom.

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  8. This is precious. Mother, blouse, you.

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  9. Thank you ladies for the blessing. All are cherished.

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  10. Love the story and the blouse looks beautiful on you. Very fashionable.

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