Hello, My Name Is Mildred.
WELCOME to SPRING’s Edition of ‘The Fabric of Our Lives’ In This Year 2024!
“Spring Has SPRUNG. The Grass Is Riz. I Wonders Where the Birdies Is. They Say the Birds Is on the Wing, But That’s Absurd. The Wing Is on the Bird.”
Who remembers that one? My Father, J. Kent Miller, would start with that as soon as the sun began to turn the cold earth to mud and that
smell was in the air.
Speaking of my Father, I decided to open this inaugural edition of The Newsletter with a story about him and how he is at the root of
this (ad)venture I find myself stitching together here with you all. I hope you will find interesting, and you will definitely learn a little bit
about me and my story. So many stories for you.
Ready?
James Kent Miller was born and raised in the Philadelphia area. Germantown and local, I believe. HIs father, Edward Dean Miller, married Harriet Mildred Oxheimer. He was a TastyKake delivery man and artist - he also, at one point, made dentures, an art for certain. Especially back then (1930’s-1950’s). She was… wait for it… a seamstress. Yes. Mildred (she chose to go by her middle name because she disliked Harriet greatly. There’s a story there as well. For later though) Miller was a dressmaker and alterations specialist. This I did not know until I was 50 years old. Read that again. If you know me… I sew like I breathe since I was 11 and I never knew that my grandmother - my father’s mother - was a sewist.
I have a cousin Jenny Miller (Thurston now) in Blue Bell. She still lives in my Uncle Ed and Aunt Elaine’s home where she was raised and where my siblings and mother and father would visit when I was almost too little to remember. Jenny and I reconnected some years back (20+) and one day about six years ago she shared not only this fact with me, but also Nana(Mildred)’s journal from the 70’s. In it were even older note cards with handwritten contact information - phone numbers with LETTERS in them; they were so old! - and project details. In it also were entries with thoughtstreams regarding visits with my father, and my sister and I. Thoughtstreams that evoked memories that live deep inside this little life of mine.
I am grateful for what I know and what I have learned, and all that I have yet to learn. And for cousin Jenny. Mostly though, I am glad to know myself, and why I am the way and who I am by way of my ancestors. I have learned more from death and dead people than most anything I’ve yet to learn from the living. Not to be morbid, but truly. There lie stories for another time also.
I will leave this here…
And so, I sew. And so did she.
She made he. And he made me.
So they still get to be.
In this Life.
As me.
~ Mildred 3.12.24
“What are you wearing?”
Has he (or she) ever called or texted and asked, “What are you wearing?”? When you see your favorite celebrity on thered carpet, do you immediately wonder, “What is she (or he!) wearing?”? Have you opened your door to a friend or
neighbor and had them beg with a grimace, “WHAT are you wearing?”?
It’s the question of the ages in any and all situations. One of them, anyway.
Meet the Kaftan - or Caftan. Either way it be spelled, it is smart dressing. Especially in the late Spring and Summer!…
Kaftan, a garment with a long history, has been a significant part of various cultures worldwide. Originally worn by men in the Middle East, Central Asia, and North Africa, the kaftan has evolved over the centuries to become a unisex and versatile fashion piece. Origins: The kaftan's origins can be traced back to ancient Mesopotamia and the Ottoman Empire. It was traditionally a long, loose garment with long sleeves, reaching the ankles and often made of silk or wool. The kaftan was a symbol of nobility and prestige, worn by royalty and high-ranking officials. Spread and Adaptation: As trade routes expanded, so did the popularity of the kaftan. It spread to various regions, including Persia, India, and parts of Europe. Each culture added its own twist to the garment, incorporating different fabrics, embroidery, and designs. Modern Relevance: In the 1960s and 1970s, the kaftan experienced a resurgence in Western fashion due to its relaxed and bohemian style. It became popular as a beachwear and loungewear option, with designers creating modern interpretations using lightweight fabrics and vibrant colors. Conclusion: Today, the kaftan continues to be a timeless and elegant fashion choice for people around the world. Its rich history and cultural significance have made it a staple in both traditional and contemporary wardrobes, showcasing the enduring appeal of this versatile garment.
The Skirt - #SkirtSkirt!!
“If you know me, you know. Having the heart of a pioneer woman, the spirit of a wild horse, and the cajones of a rustlin’ cowboy, I am drawn to and excited by the idea of this fun and frivolous, yet classic and even elegant, skirt with no mercy. SEW, here is this for you, ‘The Pioneer Circle Skirt’, the first in my first line of clothing that I will be debuting this May with the launching of my SEWING & ALTERATIONS BUSINESS in the Horsham and Ambler areas. More on that herein, in another section. Here’s more about The Skirt!…
As a Mother of four plus two kiddos (most of whom aren’t kiddos anymore), I have always found a little fun in paying
attention to the additions to the dictionary of colloquialisms that I have seen and heard come and go these last 30 years. Again, if you know me, you know I love words. That said, when it was time to decide what to call ‘the collection (if you will)’, I began thinking of something that would embody the above. The expression “SKIRT SKIRT!” came immediately to mind, as did my daughter, Lili.
Lili Clare is 25 and was born on November 11. My sassy little scorpio girl with a curl. I have not seen or spoken to her in more than three years. I remember hearing her as an older teenager say “skirt skirt…”. I loved the way she said it. Lili is fun and funny. When I thought of it as an option for this label, I had to know - which I did not until very
recently - what it actually meant. So, do you know?! That did it for me. SKIRT SKIRT! it was. SKIRT SKIRT it IS.
Here’s what it means It’s PERFECTION!
The expression, as I understand it, is used to liken the sound of tires squealing as a car takes off… it means “Let’s go!”, and “Gotta GO!”, “Lets blow this stand”!!! THAT is the essence of this skirt and it’s relevance to our current fashion climate. This girl is all ABOUT what I see as today’s woman: Relaxed AND elegant. Timeless and Classic. Fashionable as well as functional…
Regarding functionality, did I mention I put giant, bias bound #POCKETS in every single one? Yes, I do, and you are most welcome.
You can wear it all day as you do your thing, and whether that thing you do is lead the meeting or muck the stalls, or
teach the yoga or cook the foods, it’s no matter for her because she belongs everywhere doing all of the things. She just does. Wipe Little Lili Clare’s snotty nose with her and clean her off in the kitchen sink to wear to the ball. She’s that good. Skirt SKIRT, Sis! You gotta GO, and she is always right and ready.
Custom sized and made to your unique shape and size, you will keep her around forever.
OH! But wait. There’s more! I have my own collection of vintage and upcycled fabrics and notions from which you can first choose to have her made. 90+% of my fabrics that clients get to see first and before we shop are at least 15 years old. The one you see here was purchased by my for an interior project in a building I owned when my children were very small. I would not say I am fanatical about not using new materials, but I am definitely conscious of the importance to not be wasteful. I also deeply admire the character that a fabric’s story can add to a piece.
Reach out at hellomynameismildred@gmail.com for more information.
#BFFsForever #MeNMyClothes #SkirtSkirt #Motherhood #Launch #FemaleEntrepreneur
This Full Moon and its eclipse will be visible across most of North America and will commence at 12:53 am EST , and will last until 5:32 am. She is set to peak around 3:00 am, and this will be the best time to view the event.
Interested in Astrology and the poetic sciences of the Heavens, and how they impact us here on Earth?
Some of my Fave Maves on Social Media to follow are Riss Cottrill @allmyancestors, Kate Belew @k8belew, Kristen Lisenby @eastandalchemy and Shelby Bundy @themoonincarolina
The Smell of Spring
THERE’s the bird! And the rain and it’s puddles. The mud and the worms, and the hungry red robin. You can smell all of it. Especially when the sun shines right after that rain…
This month’s FULL MOON is called the Worm Moon, and knowing this as Her Fullness approaches makes me think of that smell. The smell of the Earth as she wakes from Winter’s Spell upon her. The smell of the One True Promise that is Spring. The smell of rain and mud, and green buds and worms.
The first Full Moon of Spring.
Some Northern Native American cultures called this Full Moon the “Crow Moon” because to them the cawing of the crows signaled the end of Winter.
This year the Worm Moon is positioned in Libra, an air sign of the Zodiac that is represented by images of scales, and signifies an opportunity to find or create balance, and to see justice and logic in situations where we may be challenged in doing so.
This Full Moon in Libra coincides with a lunar eclipse as well! This intensifies the feelings and emotions that come with every full moon. So feel your feels consider forgiveness (start with yourself, please and thanks, then work your way out :-), and perhaps choose to let go of something that may no longer serve you and your best interests for growth. Now is the time!
Located at 7 W Butler, right next to Harry’s Bluebell Tavern in Ambler, Pennsylvania.
Paper Dolls Ambler = Home
Some of you already know the story of how Mildred wound up in Ambler. This article shares the cliff notes along with a little bit more about her background, details about some of her services, and insights into how it all comes together to benefit her clientele.
I am a completely self taught sewer, designer and clothier. It is in me, the ability to create the things I create, fix the things I fix, and do this do I do. It.is.in.me. And I now find myself doing it at a sweet little boutique in Ambler: Paper Dolls. Paper Dolls Ambler, in it’s most correct form.
“I began sewing when I was 11 or 12. I think it was the Summer of 1980. I found boxes/bins of fabric in my Mother’s things, and asked if I could have them. Lavender and peachy gauzy cotton MAGIC. She always had Vogue and Harpers Bazaar magazines lying around, and there was a jacket with puffy sleeves and some pants that I decided I’d make for myself. My Mom showed me the basics of operating the machine, and I took it from there. Classic story, right? And sew, it began.
“I made things for myself through junior high; for a dance, a rust colored sailor collared top ‘from scratch’, and long pants that I took and fashioned into “knickers” because they were happening right then! The other kids at the Catholic school I attended (for a minute) were wearing Ralph Laurenwand Gloria Vanderbuilt. I was wearing, well, ME.
Later that year, while at a sleepover at the Mrackovich’s, Dear Laura’s older sister Jill was headed out with friends - I think she was a junior or senior, and I was wearing my knickers. She asked me to do the same for her from the pants she was about to put on. I did it right there and then at their kitchen table and her outfit was outta sight! And so, the sewing for others began.
“I stopped making things for a short period in my 20’s, but I picked it back up again when Jack and Ayla were very little, right before Lili was born. The first things I made were a Snow White costume for Ayla from bed sheets, and a Winnie the Pooh suit and hood for Jack from yellow towels! Almost entirely sewn by hand, excepting the finishing work on Ayla’s gown. I used my Mother’s machine for that - the same on which I taught myself to sew! That was Halloween of 1998, and it was not long after that when I got my own machines and began what you would call a REAL sewing business. More about that fun another time. Here’s how I wound up in Ambler…
“Last year I found myself living in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. A first time and new resident to Bucks County, I was excited to be spending time in a town where I knew my Mother and Father had lived when they were first married. I had heard many stories about the house on Cottage street, and finally got to see the high school where my Father had been a Biology teacher and Track Coach. This was a profoundly significant time in my 54 year long life (last year when I moved to and lived in Doylestown) in so very many ways.
So many and profoundly significant.
“It was during this time that I met Ashara Shapiro and walked into her Newtown Gallery, ArtWRKD . I pause as I reflect on my time there last Spring. Mmm. The reawakening of my urge and deep need to create things from fabric. She invited me to be an artist in residence there, and my time with her and in that space is indescribable and holds BIG spaces within myself. Driving to and from Newtown from Doylestown to work on the project was cathartic. The entire experience was a marker in my life. Monumental shizz, kidz. In every way. That was exactly a year ago, and I have spent this past year, non-stop, honing my skill, growing my will, and climbing this hill… and I must say, the view from here is pretty spectacular.
“Somewhere in the middle of all that monumental shizz, I realized that I am supposed to be sewing and creating and sewing some more, and I decided to move to Horsham. One had nothing to do with the other, mind you. Knowing I would be relocating here, I stomped around the local streets and into shops and boutiques with business cards in hand and a belly full of fire. This is when I came to Ambler. That was September. The only time I had been anywhere close to the downtown was just in July when I bought my car. Found her at a little family owned used car place just a couple of blocks from Paper Dolls. Anyway, I fell in love with the place when I walked in, and once I met and did a couple of jobs with Missy, the owner, I thought “this might be my place”. I was correct and here we are.
“Sincerely. I still am so tickled by how excited the people get when they hear what I do. “It’s a lost art”, “A good seamstress (YES, I am okay being referred to as such) is hard to find”, and “All the good ones are out of business or dead” are among the comments, and you betcha someone said the last one!
“Being new to the area with this new venture, I am asked often and of late about ‘my background’. Folks are curious about from where I come and how I learned to sew. Being self taught, my skillset offers something that those who are formally schooled sometimes cannot give, which is the ability to think outside the box - or textbook.
NOTHING flirts my skirt more than when someone brings to me something that they just can’t seem to get another sewist to see, let alone be able to adjust. ALTERATIONS and UPCYCLING are my JAM.
I do love creating the skirts, and custom pieces and things, but fixing and mixing and refreshing garments that may have been headed to the dump #ugh makes me giddy #yay…
Bring me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be WORN! Giddy UP. I’m here for it. All of it. I am an Alterations Specialist; the specialest, and you need me and my magic in your life. I love what I do, and I do it well.
“To elaborate on that aforementioned spectacular view, it’s like this: think of the top of the mountain in the Sound of Music. Whirling and TWIRLING, and singing, I am, there in my skirt, as I sew and I go, and get to get to know the likes of you and yours, all whilst I enjoy myself and this time of my little life. Thanks for coming along!
And we are just getting started. Ready?
Go. Be. Do.
CHECK OUT UPCOMING EVENTS with MILDRED! CLICK HERE. SAVE the DATE: May 9th from 5 PM to 8:30 PM
CHECK OUT UPCOMING EVENTS with MILDRED! CLICK HERE. SAVE the DATE: May 9th from 5 PM to 8:30 PM
ANY OPPORTUNITY TO MEET AND GREET MEMBERS OF THE AMBLER AND SURROUNDING AREAS COMMUNITIES WILL BE POSTED HERE BY MILDRED & FRIENDS.
To be held in the Ambler and Horsham local areas, some will be casual and some may even be fancy. The majority of them will be occasions for JUST the GIRLS, though there may be a few to which the fellas would be welcome… a few… maybe a couple. Okay, probably only one. Or none. Yeah. Who am I kidding? No boys allowed. Ever.
All of them will be a great time to be had by all, and will focus on FASHION, FUN, and what it means to be WILDLY FABULOUS!
#lifeasweknowit #lifeaswegrowit #lifeaswesewit