On May 16, 2018, my mother in law, Lani Kline, died peacefully at the age of 91.
During her last days, she gave me her vintage sewing box — a big pink wicker chest…on legs!
Lani wasn’t a big sewer, but her mother made all of her clothes, and the box is filled with sewing treasures and bits of Lani’s story, dating back to her 1940’s Texas days.
A stocked sewing box is like a biography…we carefully excavated tray by tray, exploring little boxes filled with old 1920’s silk on wooden spools, tiny black metal hook-and-eyes, metal zippers, and four of the tiniest little silver thimbles that could have only fit her mother’s delicate fingers.
And buttons, what buttons! Big—I mean BIG—1950’s wooden buttons designed to turn heads on a large houndstooth jacket, cloisonné cherry blossoms from 1960’s Japan, sparkly diamonds and 1960’s bright pink and orange bling buttons. And, of course, lots of mother of pearl. Tumbling through my fingers, I sorted them into heart shapes and piles, by color and type, each button begging to tell the story of the lost dress, or suit jacket, or re-made party dress, and the many trips around the world that brought them back to Lani’s box.
The box is a tribute to Lani’s love of bright colors, always coordinating her ensembles with just the perfect earrings and necklaces, her passion for collecting small treasures like fine buttons, and her loving memories of her own mother.
I am grateful to have this 3-generation sewing box in my conservation studio…and I know Lani has many more stories to tell.
How so lovely! What a beautiful form of memory for her to leave for you to remember her but also for her treasures to live on through your words! I must remember to pass mine on when the time comes! Thank you Lani! Thank you Julia for sharing!
Dear Julia;
Sooo touching I burbled up.
Too many times these are tossed out, losing all the memories and treasures of the history of buttons and chic style in general.
As an appraiser, buttons have value! If only people like you would stop to understand.
Laurene Sherlock
Greystone Appraisals LLC
What a beautiful tribute, Julia! Thank you for sharing this story, that makes me wish that I had kept my mother’s red striped sewing box, also on little legs and filled with beautiful things. Precious memories.
Oh Julia we are thinking of all of you this week. Thank you for sharing the memories.
Thank you for sharing, Julia, so special to read!
Sweet story. I am also sentimental, always fondly remember my grandmother who taught me to sew on a treadle machine. And I have collected buttons also, carved mop buttons which were assembled by crochet into a necklace.
I just loved this piece and the photos, Julia!! Wonderful gift from your mother-in-law to have left with you!
I love the thimbles. I have my moms and several others I have collected over the years. I can’t sew without my metal thimble and prefer the silver one. I know she would be happy you are having so much fun looking at all of the treasures.
What a treasure and the perfect addition to your life and home. Things do matter very much.
I send condolences on your loss.
What a beautiful tribute. Your mother/in-law certainly knew to whom to give her precious sewing box. I’m sure she’s looking down with happiness and appreciation.
Izabella
PS I have my mother’s sewing box which is identical but lilac ( my mother’s) favorite color but have not done anything with it. You have inspired me to one day look through it and maybe find some treasures. Thank you.
Dear Julia-
Thank you so much for sharing such a loving tribute to Phil’s mother. And what a treasure chest! I’m sure she will be missed by many… big hugs to you and Phil.
Sweet!
I am so touched by your story. As a granddaughter, a daughter, a stitcher and a writer, I simply can’t say enough about your priceless memories so emblematic of a woman you loved and an object so dear to her. I asked myself once after my dad died what I would love to have. In addition to other things, I chose his sturdy, old fashioned razor, something he used every day as long as I could remember.
Dear Julia, what a wonderful legacy to preserve & story to share. And what buttons!
With my condolences! Bryan
Love your stories, Julia! I have my mother’s old button box that has buttons from the 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s. When I was a child in the early fifties, I loved to play with those buttons!
Great experience and story Julia – thank you for sharing.
I’m so sorry to read this. I just lost my dearest friend here a week ago tomorrow to metastatic breast cancer. She was such a gifted artist! Her family and ours shared Thanksgivings and Christmases for 3 decades. Your grief really resounds with me. That box is indeed a treasure, and your photographs are fabulous! Both of my Texas grandmothers had sewing boxes, and I used to love to play with the buttons also.
Tears are rolling. What a lovely tribute and surely Lani’s last days in your presence was a great source of comfort to her. And her smile is what she certainly gave to Phil. Talk about a look-a-like!
And I am sure many of us remember the sewing boxes of our mothers and aunts and grandmothers. I, for one, which I would have had your sensitivity to the treasure. Sending love to you and Phil.
What a lovely tribute. I’m sorry to hear of your loss.
Such a very special sewing box, lovely and classic story behind. Thank for sharing, Julia.
I have a similar box, without legs, from my mother-in-law. I love it and use it for all my little sewing doodads! I also have my mother’s button box with buttons saved from who-knows-how-many Depression-era outfits. I used to play with them when I was a child and I treasure them today. My mother made most of her own clothes and my own with her ancient Singer “portable” machine, which I still have. I once made a fair percentage of my own clothes using Vogue, Butterick and McCalls patterns, but the last time I checked, the selection of patterns was pretty limited. I now make only decorative things and utilitarian items for my horsey passion.
I really enjoy your posts and have learned a lot from them plus some work you did for me years ago on hanging Native American weavings. Kind thoughts for you & your family on the loss of your loved one.
Beautiful. Just beautiful, Julia. Thank you for sharing this ♥️
Julia I just read this tribute ! How beautiful ! You are a great preserver . Lovely gesture Thanks for sharing
Love
Enjoyed reading this lovely tribute Julia.
Sorry for your loss.