MY FIRST "OFFICIAL POST" AT MY LOVELY NEW WEB ADDRESS: www.GrammasSewing.com :)

I am "sew" very excited to begin this new venture!!! I have enjoyed sewing since my Mom taught me how when I was seven years old :) I feel so very Blessed to be able to sew on her sewing machine. She bought it the year that I was born in 1951. It is a Singer 201. She made all of my clothes on it until we moved to Grayslake Il. They had a Lane Bryant store in Waukegan that sold "Chubby Sizes". I still remember the excitement of trying on clothes that actually fit me !!! I remember the 3 dresses that I chose and she purchased. Such excitement for me  lol. After that, she sewed mostly play clothes and as I got older, I began to sew more for myself instead of just sewing for my Dollies :) I remember my Sophomore year in High School and signing up for Home Economics and my Mom, wondering why ??? LOL It was because I knew she would have to buy me fabric for my sewing projects :) Naughty me!!! By then I was sewing quite prolifically. When I started working at Hazel's Gift Shop in downtown Grayslake, I saved up my money and bought a Singer Fashionmate I think it was called. I remember I could choose either a portable machine that would also do a zigzag stitch or a cabinet model that only did a straight stitch. I opted for the zigzag and there was no turning back!!! :) I have been sewing ever since . I did a lot of sewing over the years and when we moved to Antioch Il back in the 70's, I started working at Erickson's Sewing Center which was the most amazing fabric store and Pfaff dealer. Mrs. Erickson became like a mentor to me and when she was called away to take care of her Aunt, I began teaching all of their sewing classes!!! I did this for nearly 9 years occasionally sewing costumes for PML Theatre and Ken Smouse Productions :) After awhile I began designing my own line of sewing patterns. Mother Wilke's Study Duds and Stuff!!! I did that for a few years and then had a custom wedding business. Mother Wilke's Wedding Emporium :) As our daughter's grew and life changed, my husband, Gary and I moved to Rainbow Lake Manor in Bristol Wisconsin. We were lucky to live there for nearly 7 years or so when my sweet Mother began to experience Dementia and Gary and I moved into my childhood home to take care of Mom. We were Blessed to have her for approximately 8+ years. Her Dementia turned into Alzheimer's and we slowly watched her deteriorate and eventually pass away. My Mom and Dad both passed here at home. Stories for another day :) But that is basically my humble beginnings. I am so excited to have this new venture in my life and so very very grateful for my ever loving and supportive husband, Gary and my devoted family and friends. Have a great day and Thank You again for stopping by!!!