The Beloved Blouse

Today started out as a sad one. Forget that it was Monday or it had drastically changed from doable temperatures to shockingly cooler, even with the sun. No, today came with a sad start because my beloved farm blouse would need to be retired.

I loved this shirt. It had a pale green floral print and light blue squiggly lines, which together made the perfect color scheme for my Nordic genes. It had a flawless fit in all the tough spots, with well-placed darts and seams. Quarter sleeves kept the sun from scorching my skin yet the cotton fabric kept me from overheating.

I have planted countless organic acres while wearing this shirt. I have carried my son, holding him close in his moments of fear and loving the way he would play with my collar to calm his worries. I could wear it for cleaning the house only having a last-minute errand with no time to change and still felt put together and confident. That shirt always made me feel pretty, like the girlie-girl that I am.

Who knew a simple shirt could be so many things?

Over the years I have had to sew buttons back on; sewn new buttons on when the originals came up missing. Holes have been sewn back together and when the holes were beyond my sewing ability for repair, I cut up an old apron (another well loved article of clothing) and made patches.

Oh, the lament when the day finally came and I knew there had been nothing more to save this cherished blouse. Or had there been another option? Was there a shred of hope to find some life for that old shirt?

I had one last trick up my sleeve. This morning I grabbed a pattern and pinned it to the back side of the blouse. I cut and snipped. I ironed, pinned and put the pedal to the metal as I sewed with a smile of gratification. In less than an hour and a half, my beloved farm blouse, which I could not bear to lose, became my new favorite apron.

Hopeful for another ten years with my beloved, I’m already thinking of what I can turn it into next.