Threads of Memory: How my Sewing Journey Began.

Unintentionally recreating my Cindy dolls hand made outfit from the 1980's.

I was seven years old when my sewing journey began with the help of my Great Auntie Hilda. She had this gorgeous old hand-crank Singer sewing machine, black enamel with gold scrolls, the kind that looked like it belonged in a museum but still ran like a dream.

My Auntie Hilda came from an era where making and mending was second nature. If a seam split or a hem dropped, you didn’t throw something away, you fixed it. Her hands just seemed to know what to do. They moved with quiet confidence born from years of making things to last and making do beautifully.

One morning, we set out to make what seemed like the most important project of my young life, an outfit for my Cindy doll. I picked the fabric myself from a box of scraps, a green and white houndstooth check cotton that I thought would make the perfect outfit for my doll. Auntie Hilda showed me how to cut and pin the tiny pattern pieces, how to keep the fabric straight under the needle, and how to breathe while sewing — a skill I’m still working on!

While the final outfit was far from perfect, once Cindy was dressed in her new clothes, I felt like I’d made magic. I couldn’t believe that from some small fabric scraps I had created something wearable with my own hands, and a lot of support, guidance and patience from Auntie Hilda! I like to think that she gained as much as me from the experience.

What I didn’t realise then was that she wasn’t just teaching me to sew. Along with my Mum and Granny she was passing down the gift of creativity and understanding that all you need is a little imagination and courage to create beautiful things.

This summer I hand made a warm weather capsule wardrobe and completely by accident, I made myself a green and white check top and skirt. I didn’t even notice the resemblance until I took a photo to share my makes on social media and had one of those "wait a second" moments. I had unintentionally recreated my Cindy's outfit! I guess some things just stitch themselves right into your heart and never leave.

I feel extremely lucky that my Great Auntie Hilda lived with my Granny and Grandad (my Auntie Joy too) It felt like having two Grannies under one roof! I fondly remember the times I spent with Granny and Auntie Hilda learning to sew and knit, making pictures from cut-up Christmas cards and stomping around in their high heels. Most importantly I discovering the joy of creating something from nothing.

Those simple, crafty days helped shaped not just my love of fashion and textiles, but the way I see creativity: as something to be shared, passed down, and treasured.