To me, the butterfly dresses symbolize a legacy spanning four generations—and hopefully many more. These dresses began as small scraps of silk fabric gifted by my grandma (my dad's mom) to my mom. At first glance, the pieces seemed too insignificant to create anything meaningful, but my mom, with her knack for creativity, managed to stitch them together into two miniature dresses for my sister and me when we were three and five years old. Although the studio photo of us wearing those dresses hasn't aged well (perhaps due to non-acid-free paper), it holds a special place in my heart. I believe these pictures were taken shortly after our first big haircuts!
When my mom finished sewing the dresses, she decided to add a personal touch by embroidering one butterfly onto each bodice. She recently shared these photos with me and admitted that if she had planned the embroidery ahead of time, she would have centered the butterflies more symmetrically. Yet, I adore the dresses precisely because they were crafted spontaneously, piece by piece. In fact, the fabric scraps were so small that they had to be joined together before the skirts could even be cut out. They’re far from perfect, and that’s exactly what makes them endearing to me. Plus, I find charm in the asymmetry of the butterflies—though maybe that’s just my sentimental side speaking.
The butterfly dresses represent a labor of love for my mom, passed down through generations. My grandma’s fabric has found new life on my sister and me, and eventually, on our daughters. My mom confessed that these butterflies were her early attempts at embroidery, and while her skills have certainly evolved over time, what truly matters is the affection she poured into creating these dresses. For me, their significance lies in the pride she felt and the joy we experienced wearing them. Now, I carry forward this tradition by dressing my own child in the dress I once wore, sharing its story with her. I hope she'll pass it along someday, perhaps even telling her own tale to her child. With two dresses and five sisters who’ve worn them before passing them on, the cycle continues.
These dresses embody family memories, love from mothers, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers alike. As a mother myself, I understand the sentiment behind my mom’s handiwork. Dressing my daughter in my creations—or those of my mom—has been one of life’s greatest pleasures. That’s why I sew—not just for utility, but to preserve and share love across generations.
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P.S. If you'd like to share your own Sewn Story with our series, feel free to email your ideas to askme@oliverands.com.
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