‘Sew’ many in my family were involved with textiles! Where do I begin? My great grandmother was 27 when her husband passed away in 1900. Kate (Kinney) Cook became a dressmaker to support her three young children. She may have already been a dressmaker but from that time on it was her occupation on the census. I have sewn dresses for myself but honestly can’t imagine making a dress all by hand, which I am guessing is what she did. I would love to have a photo of her wearing one of her dresses. It would be fun to go back in time and share a sewing circle with my great grandmother.
A number of the women in my family made hats. When I discovered this fact I used it to make a memory of my own involving three of my ancestors with their hats. I was in an art quilt group, we made small pieces around a theme. I liked these three. the top right is Margaret (Crowe) Hoyer, she was my 1rst cousin 2x removed. The middle one is my grandmother Nettie Myrtle Smith and the bottom is my great grand aunt Elizabeth (Robertson) Crowe.
Here are a few more of the fantastical hats from my ancestral line.
(sisters)
One final hat on my mom Helen (Kirkwood) Cook, I’m guessing her mom Nettie Myrtle made Helen’s hat and coat.
Did you have a milliner in your family?
My Tree in the Forest 