From My Mother to Me, A Jennuine Life... and a Giveaway

By Victoria As-it-Seams - 07:11






After a two year break, My Mother to Me is back!
It was Mother's Day yesterday for American mothers and I do hope you all enjoyed your day.
This series began, because I realised that sewing is a way of connecting across the generations and sharing our skills.

And those gifts also tell stories about our heritage, culture, and family legacies.

So I'm extra thrilled that some of my blogging friends have also agreed to share their stories.
And that all this week we're running an amazing giveaway, thanks to Miss Matatabi. Scroll to the bottom to win $50 to spend in her gorgeous shop.

First up is Jenn from  A Jennuine Life



Don't you just love these old photos? 

Jenn  blogs at A Jennuine Life  where she's a real multi-tasker.  She sews some of the cutest outfits but is also a skilled pattern designer with her lovely label Jennuine Design. 
Her Naples dress is one of my favourites. So sweet for summer! And I love the beautiful line drawings with all her patterns.
Pop over here for Jenn's lovely story
And Frances at Miss Matatabi is spreading the motherly love with this incredible giveaway. Open til May 17 there's a chance to win $50 to spend in her incredible shop. Enter via the rafflecopter below!






a Rafflecopter giveaway

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55 comments

  1. I'm glad my mother passed down to me the importance of trying to fix things and relying on my own hands. I can sew, cook, garden, and take care of myself because she taught me that. In a word of consumerism and a toss-it mentality, it has helped me tremendously.

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    1. I love this, yes 'relying on our own hands' is so valuable and empowering
      V

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  2. I can't wait to read this series- I am sure there are going to be some beautiful and inspiring posts. My mother taught me to sew along with her mother. My Mom doesn't always understand my sewing process (you're making a quilt without using a pattern?!) but she is so supportive and encouraging! I am hoping to pass these things to my own children- we might not always understand but we can still be great cheerleaders for others!

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    1. Lovely comment - love the idea of being a 'cheerleader' whatever path our children take
      V

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  3. Thank you for yet another inspirational series!
    Can't wait to read your guest posts ;)

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  4. I'm so excited for this series!

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  5. will pop over next and read her story
    sewfabrics at outlook.com

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  6. I love that my mom passed on her maker ways - gifting handmade projects is such a tangible way to share your love with people who mean the most to you. It's also so nice to have this common interest with my mama - she's a great cheerleader and troubleshooter!

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  7. My mom taught me the importance of doing it right- so if that meant ripping out seams, I did it :). I hated that as an adolescent, but appreciate it very much as an adult. My mom always treated everyone with respect, no matter what their job or station in life. I hope my children are able to see the worth and dignity of each person, made in the image of God!
    donnalee1953 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  8. Umm..right everyone else's comment sound really beautiful, my mother taught me all about hoarding :) but also sharing, lol, but I do love to hoard fabrics :) Keeping a pretty unicorn print from Miss Matatabi to hand down to my daughter as a dress. grecomara at gmail dot com

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  9. My mom was 40 when I was born and she always seemed "grandmotherly" to me, but no less loved! By today's standards, having children at age 40 is common, but when I was a kid, it sure wasn't! Mom was a very hard-working woman, raising 8 kids almost entirely alone. She taught me about honesty, kindness, making others happy, and to always have faith in God. She loved to cook, bake and sew and I do too!

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  10. My mom has given the gift of caring for other people. She is known for taking meals to homeless, driving friends to the doctor, and always helping someone in need.

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  11. My mum is my best friend. I have just found out I am pregnant with my first baby and hope that I have as close a relationship which my child x

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  12. My mom passed on the most important thing, putting her children first, sacrificially caring for us without complaining. I hope I can raise my children as well.

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  13. My mom passed on the most important thing, putting her children first, sacrificially caring for us without complaining. I hope I can raise my children as well.

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  14. My mother was a oil painting artist! She passed on to me about crafting and looking outside of the box - do something different and do what you love! I passed that on to my children.

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  15. My mother taught me to sew. :)

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  16. Looking forward to this series! My mom introduced me to sewing and I am enjoying passing it down to my kids.

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  17. Thanks so much for hosting this series Victoria! I can't wait to read the rest.

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  18. Besides teaching me to sew and crochet, my mom also taught me caring and sharing.

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  19. My mother taught me a love of reading. We spent a lot of time at the library.

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  20. My mum used to sew pretty much all of my clothes when I was young. She sewed all my dancing costumes and my swimwear (we call them togs here in NZ)... we had a pool and all the neighbor kids used to come and swim in it, and mum ended up getting asked and agreeing to make all of their togs too!

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  21. My mum used to sew pretty much all of my clothes when I was young. She sewed all my dancing costumes and my swimwear (we call them togs here in NZ)... we had a pool and all the neighbor kids used to come and swim in it, and mum ended up getting asked and agreeing to make all of their togs too!

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  22. My mum taught me patience! In more ways than one!

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  23. My Momma died before I was 2yrs old... But I would love for my Kiddo's to remember me, by being hard workers, honest folks, and for my Daughter to carry on learning to create & craft a comfy Home for her Family, and my Son's to be strong, good & loving men. They already know recipes they love, and cook often...and my Daughter is quilting & sewing up a storm with me! I am soooo Blessed by them..

    Thank you for chance to win your Give-a-way too! :D

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  24. My mom was great. She sewed in a factory as a young woman, and even after she became a nurse, she handmade our Halloween costumes and holiday clothes. I'm sure that influenced me, but the best thing she gave me was her lighthearted spirit and optimism. ❤️

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  25. My mom's passion for "family first" has been something that I appreciate now with my own kids(who are awesome adults!). Having grown up on a farm, put in an internment camp during the war and struggling to make ends meet as they started all over, she's shown grit and determination. But best of all, she's always loved and supported us as a strong woman and mother.
    akronne17@gmail.com

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  26. My mom is an amazing example of being there for others! Growing up she was always helping and supporting us follow our interests, sometimes at a great sacrifice to herself. I'm grown with children of my own and she is still always there for me. Her example and her love and support are helping me to be the mom I want to be for my children.

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  27. I would love my son to be interested in sewing when he's older - at the very least I'll make sure that he can sew on a button!

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  28. What a great series! My grandmother taught me to sew, and my mom was always there to help me out with it too. My son and daughter just started exploring sewing as well, and I look forward to passing it on!

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  29. My mom inspired me to sew. She made our clothes when we were little and taught us how to make woven potholders and doll clothes. She was always so patient. Now my daughter does a little sewing when her busy life permits. I'm hoping some day we can share the joy of quilting together. :) Even my son tried his hand at designing a pillow and with my help made it for his girlfriend. It turned out great and was a one of a kind pillow.

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  30. I tried to pass on to my children a need to care for others, that they aren't the only ones in the world. So far, so good.

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  31. my mother did not sew, nor my grandmother, nor aunts and cousins ... i'm pretty much self taught and have been sewing since my oldest, 45+, was 1.5 years -- her first outfit was overalls sewed by hand ... then i acquired a singer, and became much better ... i have sewed bridal dresses, tailored clothing and sell bags and purses and children's clothing ... l love sewing ...

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  32. I learned to hand sew with my grandmother and I truly believe she influenced me so much to love fabric and sewing.

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  33. My mom and her mom (my grannie) passed their love for beautiful hand crafts, like embroidery, sewing, crocheting, flower arrangements. Learned so much from them!

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  34. My mom taught me to hand and machine sew many years ago. She also taught me to knit, crochet, cook, and how to be a mom!
    cork@pa.rr.com

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  35. This is a lovely series and I was excited
    To see my photo of mum in her wedding dress on your summary post. I still ask her for sewing advice!!

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  36. My mother has taught me to be patient! :)
    Jenna

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  37. My Mum inspired me to sew and my Gran who I never met was a brilliant seamstress.

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  38. My Mom as taught me to speak up and not just let things go

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  39. What a beautiful pattern! Although I'm not a mum, I would love to sew this for other children in my family.

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  40. My Mom taught me to always do my best and gave me confidence in myself.

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  41. My mother taught me to sew with patience and humor.

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  42. My mother passed a creative and curious soul. She also taught me how much value I have as a human being and that you stand for what is right no matter what. I hope to pass the same values on to my children.

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  43. My mother passed a creative and curious soul. She also taught me how much value I have as a human being and that you stand for what is right no matter what. I hope to pass the same values on to my children.

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  44. Wow! These are so inspirational to me. My daughter is a toddler but it makes me want to make sure I pass down these skills as well!

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  45. MY MOTHER andf TAUGHT ME HOW TO SEW CHANGE OIL In MY car and change tires

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  46. My Mom sewed clothes for her 3 daughters and knitted and taught us how to do it as well. We have cute Mother-daughter dress pictures from the '50s and sister coats that we loved. I don't know where she found the time to do it, having 7 kids total to care for. With great patience she taught us girls to sew clothes for ourselves and to knit as well. We all still knit, but I'm the only one who still sews.

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  47. Mom passed on her love of creating w/fabric and the patience to sew, wow she had patience:) She taught all 5 of us girls to use a sewing machine, determine yardage, select appropriate fabrics for our patterns, re-purposed many zippers and buttons to save $$. I'm still stitching 45 plus years later and am teaching/passing along to many friends. Thank you!

    bluestarof2(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  48. My mother taught herself sewing after she had me and my sister. With an old sewing machine passed on to her by a relative, she made us many dresses that we wore with joy. My sister and I are not twins but our mom always sewn for us identical dresses :-) It's still fun to look at those identical dresses in the old photos.
    Thank you for the giveaway! nhi1210(at)gmail(dot)com

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  49. my mother passed on to me many things. at the top of the list was to love/serve the Lord with all my heart. Love others. Help others. Learned how to listen to people. Put others first. Love animals. ETC... I have tried to put a lot of these practices into our two children. they are now 31 and 28 and my husband and i have succeeded. they are great young people.
    quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

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  50. My mother passed on how to take care of myself.
    gandn74@ymail.com

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  51. My mom has passed on an obsession with Bernina :-). My grandmother too, I guess, since she started it ;-). And a fabric hoarding obsession. That came from my grandma haha.

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  52. Entered the giveaway! Fingers crossed :) my mum taught me not to take life tot seriously and to have a laugh sometimes, and to just be a nice person. Two important things, I think.

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    1. And in case you need my email: romybuysthings(at)gmail(dot)com

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Thanks 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