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What do a sailor and a sewing machine have in common?

When I decided to start sewing my barkcloth bags, I chose the name For the Love of Pete to pay tribute to my late Uncle Pete, a sailor who suffered and died as a POW during World War II. Though I never knew him, from what I’ve heard about Pete, he was a kind hearted, fun loving guy who was also a bit of a rogue.

My sewing career started at the tender age of 11, when I tried to make a simple skirt and vest out of elephant print corduroy. My Mom had to finish it for me. Though I didn’t care if I ever sewed another seam, I did indeed stick with it and eventually I got to be really good!

I’ve loved the 30’s and the 40’s for as long as I can remember-and I adore the fabric that was in its heyday during those decades-barkcloth! I can honestly say that I’ve never met a piece of barkcloth I didn’t like, and I especially like the bold tropical prints so popular in the 40’s. My Uncle Pete, as it turns out was in Honolulu during the late 30’s-and it was exotic places like Hawaii that influenced the design of those bold tropical fabrics. Some of my designs are vintage inspired too-I love watching old movies and looking through old magazines for new ideas.

It seems only fitting that I sew my vintage inspired barkcloth bags on a vintage sewing machine. My current favorite is my big black 1950 Singer. These machines never wear out, which is a good thing- because I plan to keep on sewing in memory of a saucy sailor named Pete, for a long time!

In addition to sewing, I enjoy gardening, photography and spending time with my family.
I also like to write-here is my blog address:
www.for-the-love-of-pete.blogspot.com