We are so honored to have Linda from It All Started with Paint here with us at the fence today! Not only does Linda have a fabulous blog, but she also has a gorgeous Etsy Store, Drop Cloth Designs, and it one of our amazing sponsors. Linda is sharing a heart warming and touching post dedicated to her sister Janet. Please welcome Linda…to At The Picket Fence!
When Vanessa and Heather, the blogging sister sensations, asked me to guest post, my first thought was “yes, of course. I’d be honored.” And my second thought? My sisters.
Carol, who I shared a room with growing up and who is closest in age, made a major life change and moved her family to Montana many years ago. And then there’s Janet. The first born. She spent over a decade fighting long and hard against breast cancer. Her battered and weary body finally gave in on August 21, 2006. The post I’m sharing today is a tribute to her legacy …
What Would Janet Do?
Any time I find myself making curtains, I think of my sister Janet.
You see, Janet was the penultimate seamstress. Meticulous attention to detail. Perfectly straight seam lines. She knew all the technical sewing lingo and skills …
Like what cutting on the bias means …
… and what bias tape is really used for …
… and how to make button holes.
She also never, ever bought department store drapes. Instead she studied their construction and went home and made her own. Only better.
Janet was the person who taught me how to make balloon shades. Together, we made four for my very first apartment; she and her husband came over and helped me iron those folds and folds and folds of fabric and hang them.
When it comes to sewing, I’m a poor woman’s Janet. My projects entail a lot of guesswork and fudging and improvisation …
So when I tackled the drapes for my son’s room remodel, I was wishing Janet was still here so I could ask her what to do.
Like, what did she think about me making them out of canvas painter’s drop cloth …
I’m pretty sure she would tell me to wash them first. Yes, I’m positive that’s what Janet would do. So I did too.
And when I cut that drop cloth panel in half, I’m thinking Janet would know this handy tip of just snipping and ripping that drop cloth with my bare hands into a perfectly straight line …
And that band on top? I know Janet would approve of my solution to sidestep possible uneven seams by attaching thick ribbed orange ribbon to the top …
… and then again where the panel and the drop cloth materials meet …
… and then top-stitching right over that ribbon with orange thread …
And I know I was channeling Janet when I realized the bottom seam should get a band of ribbon too.
In the end, I think Janet would’ve approved of what I did …
Janet, you are missed …
Thank you Linda for sharing this lovely post dedicated to your beautiful sister Janet…we are so grateful that you shared a part of who she was with us…we are honored! Please pay Linda a visit at It All Started With Paint, we know you’ll love her as much as we do!
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17 Comments on "Sisters and Sewing…from Linda at It All Started With Paint"
What a sweet tribute to your sister and the drapes are fabulous. She would be proud.
Yes your sister would have been very proud. These drapes are custom made.
What an amazing room redo – the curtains look completely professional! Janet would be proud. Breast cancer…oooh. My friend was just diagnosed with both sides and needs 20 weeks of chemo before surgery and then 40 weeks after. I’m so sad. Great post!
Linda…..I know your sister was so amazing! And what a beautiful….beautiful tribute to a sister who left such a legacy! Thanks so much for sharing your heart today.
blessings,
karianne
Heather & Vanessa,
Thank you so very much for letting me guest post here today … I cried when I wrote this post. I cry each and every time I read this post. But I smile too at the wonderful memories of my beautiful sister.
Linda
What a beautiful post, and yes, your sis would be so very proud of you.
Blessings,
Linda
Linda, this was such a Sweet and Endearing post. There is such a special bond that can be made created between sisters and when it is there is NOTHING else like it and NOTHING that can break it.
The curtains came out lovely.
Blessings
Angelina
I loved your post all about making your drapes and how you included your sister and her knowledge. I cried the first time, I cried this time. Even though it’s such a fun happy room. I know it was bittersweet. I’m so sorry you lost your sister, but glad you can share a little piece of her with us 🙂 I’m sure she was just as sweet and special as you are.
Linda…you know that your sister is so very proud of you…she has been guiding your hands every time you sit down to sew those gorgeous pillows and your amazing other sewing projects…I am so very sorry for your tremendous loss. There is nothing like a the bond of sisters … such a beautiful tribute to your sister Linda!!
Heather and Vanessa…thank you for Linda’s post today..she is such an amazing person with a beautiful soul…
Linda is a fabulous girl and I know her sister would be laughing and cheering along with us as we read her blog. What a great tribute to an amazing sister – I think I’ll call my sis right now.
Kelly
What a lovely post … I was crying and smiling all at the same time. Janet, would indeed be proud!
Okay, crying. I think of my Grandma Gosney every single time I turn on my sewing machine, and how proud she would be that I am making things myself instead of buying them. Your sister sounds like an amazing woman. Thank you so much for sharing this post…and hooking me on using dropcloths for everything!
What a beautiful tribute to someone who was obviously so gifted. Hmmmm, if Linda is a poor woman’s Janet when it comes to sewing, I am definitely below a pauper then. Love those curtains.
She’s smiling down on you, Linda! <3 you!!
xo Heidi
What a wonderful tribute to your sister! You obviously share her talent as I’m a personal recipient of one of your beautiful pillows. I think those draperies turned out so cute and I don’t doubt for a second that they are sewn very well! I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your sister too.
She would be proud of you and so am I those curtains are beautiful!! What a wounderful tribute. You know she smiles down on you:)
Regina
I am a mix of emotions reading this…mostly sad that you cannot have her company but also inspired that you carry her with you when you work on something. What a beautiful and LOVING post…that’s what comes through 🙂
Yes the talent comes through but the LOVE is there interwoven with every word / I am SO sorry that you lost your beautiful wonderful sister far too early …. 🙁