Thanks for inviting me to join your group. I have been visiting for some time. It is a favorite part of my day. I have been sewing since around the time I was in 6th grade. My mother taught me to sew. She was a wonderful seamstress. She would give me embroideries and small projects to sew. Since I was the oldest of 8 children and 4 years older than the next one after me, I think she used this as a way to keep me occupied. I took sewing in 7th grade in junior high-- I just read Linda's introduction-- so you know I am also 50+. I have always been a nostalgic sort of person. When I was a teenager in the 60's, my favorite retro period was the 40's. When we had retro days at school, we wore 50's clothes. Later, I thoroughly loved the 20's and 30's. I loved to see the clothes my grandmothers, my aunts and my mom wore in those days. Now, it's a hoot to see the clothes I wore as a young woman as today's retro fashions. I sewed many of those original retro patterns you see on ebay. One of my favorite movies is The Way We Were because of Barbara Streisand's wardrobe.
Through the years, sewing became such a hectic process to finish some project for a specific purpose--costumes, holidays, proms, etc.--that I virtually gave it up in recent years. Since I retired from teaching in 2002, I've had more time to devote to my needlework and sewing. I have bought several vintage patterns, too. I'd like to do more sewing again, especially vintage inspired fashions for myself, my daughters and granddaughter. So thanks again. I'm looking forward to a pleasurable and challenging experience. Your website has really inspired me.
Norma