From My Mother to Me # 3; Petit à Petit and Family
By Victoria As-it-Seams - 15:25
Don't the weeks fly by fast? Can you believe it's Sunday again and it's guest number 3 on the 'From my Mother to Me' weekly journey to Mother's Day on May 11.
I'm sure I hardly need to introduce Celina from Petit à Petit and Family, or indeed her latest stunning creation for Project Run and Play. So where do the roots of Celina's creativity lie? Read on...
Hello! My name is Celina and I blog over at Petit a Petit and Family where I talk about children's design and showcase some of my own creations. I am also the creator of Stylo Magazine, a fashion forward sewing online publication for kids. I am thrilled to be here today because if it weren't for my mom I am not sure I would be doing what I do!
I have never seen my mom sew at a sewing machine. However, I cannot tell how many times I've had her hand stitch things for me! I don't even know if she knows how to use a sewing machine, however that doesn't mean she hasn't given me the love of making clothes.
Honestly, sewing is the process I like the least about making clothes. I love coming up with ideas and designs. I love choosing fabrics and colors. I love figuring out the patterns to make what I envision. And of course I love seeing the end result. If I could, I would pay someone to sew - seriously. Specially the days where everything goes wrong and you are sewing sleeves to your collar. You all know what I am talking about, right?
Oh but my mom has given me a lot. She has taught me about style and good taste. She has taught me about layering and mixing textures. Putting old and new things together. She has taught me how to shop like a pro, scan the stores and find the magic piece or fabric. All this through watching and listening to her.
She might not have been sewing, however she was quite crafty- she would make giant dolls for window displays, macrame lamps and pot holders. I can't tell you the amount of jewellery she has made. She would love to thrift shop ( and still does) only to come home and cut into what she had found, dye it and make it new. I can't tell you the amount of things we have dyed. She was the master of up-cycling, making clothes for me and my sister from hers.
I love hearing stories of when she was young, she grew up in Morocco and it was a normal thing to go to your tailor and get things custom made. She tells me how she wore her father's shirts and soon everyone else was doing it and how she started a trend. She also would go to Paris with her sister to buy clothing for their boutique.
Interestingly enough, both her sisters sew. I just think my mom would have made a great stylist. And that is exactly what she passed on to me, not only the love of fashion, but more importantly to not be afraid to be unique, to set trends and follow your heart.
You can see from all the photos above the attention to detail, the little things like the unusual collar, the great prints or the scarf on her head. She was quite stylish and everything seems so cool and effortless. It all just works together. I really try to do that when I style and create my clothes, I pay attention to small things and make it look effortless.
You can see here my grandmother on the left. I think clothing, dressing up and looking good was passed on to my mom from her. Also, my grandmother was an amazing knitter, she made the most beautiful and intricate designs.
Do you spot the sewing machine in this photo?
Maybe all of this is part of my genes or maybe I learnt it simply by watching my mom who learnt it from hers. I just know that my kids see me sewing and do all the little projects I do and I hope they learn through watching and listening. I hope to teach them the same things my mother did, especially to be true to themselves. Mothers really are the best!
Happy Mother's Day!
Oh Celina, I love all these photos! And that the gift from your mother isn't so much about sewing, but about seeing. I know exactly what you mean about actual sewing. It's the thinking, planning (and fabric shopping) I love most. Thank you so much for sharing your heritage. Next week Marte from Compagnie M will be here!
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9 comments
Great post! So wonderful to have all those photos.
ReplyDeleteThanks Abby! I love old photos, I need to scan some more. The ones of my grandmother are amazing too.
DeleteMothers are really the best :) Thank you for such a lovely story Celina.
ReplyDeleteYeah! Moms rock. So happy you enjoyed my little story Jenya!
DeleteWhat a great story and what a fox your mom is!!! So effortlessly stylish!
ReplyDeleteI am lucky girl to have had such a great role model. Thank you! :)
DeleteThank you soooo much for having me here today Victoria. I had such a great time writing this post and realizing how much my mom has passed onto me. What a lovely idea for series. :)
ReplyDeleteI love everything about your post, Celina!
ReplyDeleteThat first photo of your mom... love it! She is gorgeous... And so stylish...
And you look just like your grandmother! Love her style too, she looks like she was ahead of her time. I think you inherited that from her - your patterns are unique in style.
Thank you Victoria for such a great series!
I am so touched by this post that I can only thank you for recognising the amazing flair your mom had for fashion in such a creative way . I remember way back when she could arrange clothes and accessories in such way that hipness became fashionable in Rabat ,Morocco. The scarfs worn a la gitane , the silver jewelry she would find in the medina, the combination of cloth and colours! we used to call her Madame Cherouit , a cherouita being a rag but no rag lady was ever so elegant and gracious in wearing whatever she wore. Her rags were a mixture of Paris designer clothing with local handicraft stuff that only her could see in a balanced combination. You got it, Celina , and it is very lovely to give credit to your Mom for her influence on your creativity.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for taking the time to comment. I love hearing from you, and try to reply as often as I can, either here or by email. All views, tips, gratefully received...
Victoria