The Little Stitches That Make Up My Life

December 17, 2012

As I work on getting an abundance of scarves ready for the two Trunk Shows I’m hosting next week, one in Briarcliff and the other at Antan in South Norwalk, I’m finding, to my surprise, that the repetition of sewing is relaxing.

I’m so used to having a certain amount of anxiety and stress in my life that feeling calm is so unusual I can’t help but wonder at this strange sensation.

I feel connected to the women who typically, for generations, have sewn for their families and as an expression of their creativity, and I wonder why we stopped. The duplication of simple stitches done by hand over and over seem to transform magically into something else, something that you have to trust will be there when you’re done. Whether it is a dress or an Amish quilt, the process takes time, dedication and faith.

When I first learned to knit I realized that everything was made by using a combination of two stitches, knit or purl. In France, I learned they were called à l’endroit, right side, and à l’envers, wrong side. Then, years later when I studied computers and binary language, I found that “on” or “off” was the language of computers. I realized women had used this same language for generations to create clothes out of yarn. The simplicity and brilliance of these hand arts are far more interesting than we often give them credit for, especially when we view them through the lens of being old-fashioned.

At the moment I’m discovering that the little stitches I find myself repeating over and over are the expression of my creativity and the meditation that I had been longing for. I am always surprised how the things I need in my life manifest themselves unexpectedly but at the right moment, and when I stop and pay attention it is always thrilling to discover.

I’m excited to share these scarves at my upcoming Trunk Shows (details below). Come by for a drink, a bite, and some stress-free holiday shopping – and 10% off your French-Secrets purchase when you bring a friend!

Drinks, Shopping & Style Tips at French-Secrets’ Scarf Trunk Shows!

Stop by for drinks, light refreshments, and scarf styling advice from designer Adeline Olmer while finding the perfect gifts for family and friends from our new Scarf Collection!

Bring a friend and get 10% off your French-Secrets purchase!

Tuesday, December 18th from 4pm-7pm 353 Sleepy Hollow Road (corner of Long Hill & Sleepy Hollow, entrance on Long Hill) Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510

Friday, December 21 from 2pm-5pm Antan Gifts 117 Washington Street South Norwalk, CT 06854

RSVPs not required but appreciated info@french-secrets.com

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