Memories of a Scooter: an embroidered birthday wish

Before I get started on an embroidery piece and get into assembling the tools for an embroidery project, I am first drawn to the imagery and styling of the design. How the pattern, the colors and styling make me feel and what it gets me thinking about. We are drawn to imagery that resonates with our experiences. We are drawn to stories that we want to stitch. Stories from the past or maybe a story that we wish for.

As I first found this pattern for the scooter, I thought that it would be nice to deviate a little from florals and try embroidering something else. As I was stitching this I found my mind wandering and remembering events from my childhood on the scooter or remembering black and white photographs in the albums back at home where us cousins are piled on the scooter for the photo. I recollected memories of going places on this scooter. That scooter went with us on almost all the army postings that we moved to. Dad would drive and mom would sit side straddle on the back seat with my brother in between on her lap. I would stand in the front. As I grew taller, I would have to crouch and lean forward on the handle bar so that my dad could see over the top of my head. Sounds dangerous to a lot of you but that was very normal and common back home in India. I have memories of dad dropping me at school on some mornings on the scooter and picking me up from school on some special days.

My cousins and I; evidently I didn’t like sharing that spot on the scooter nor my cousin’s hand on the handle bar

My dashing dad and me

When I went over to my maternal grandmother’s home; my uncle had a scooter that he would take us around on. Three to four little cousins piled on it holding on while the adult drove the scooter was very natural for me. It was the mode of transport for most middle class families. And as I embroidered, I spent time with stories of my past, remembering all those moments. Those memories make connections and trigger other related memories.

It isn’t just stories of times past that you spend time with as you stitch. Seeing landscape or patterns of cottages, I think of faraway lands- of mountains and cities that are just out of reach at the moment.

Many years later from today when you look at the embroidered pieces, you will recall time spent stitching in the backyard, or while watching a show, or a flight you were on when you stitched to pass the time. You will remember the stories from your life. The people and places and situations in your life right now become a part of the memories and the piece you are stitching.

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Faux Bone Inlay

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Lippan Kaam