"Thank you so much for making such a beautiful memory blanket out of my mother's clothes. I will treasure it forever and my children are so happy to see it when they come to visit as it reminds them of their very much-loved Grandmother. I know it will be a family heirloom and go down from generation to generation.

As a child I remember going into my Grandmother's room and there was a wardrobe full of my Grandfather's clothes. I remember it always filled me with gloom and fear and I wonder what happened to his clothes after she died. I suppose they were thrown out and the memories gone with them.

As I look at my blanket, different pieces take me back to different times spent with my mother. The beautiful embroided tourquoise was a suit we purchased together for a family wedding. She looked so lovely on that occasion. Another was a dress she would wear to Mass on Sunday and so on. The wool embroidered cardigan (on my sister's blanket) was a favourite of hers and I can remember she often had it on in the winter when we would go shopping. I am grateful that I found out about you before I had given Mum's clothes away."

Valerie Bracks 29/09/02

A stripey work shirt from the 70's
makes this beautiful girl something to envy.

Masses of frayed rainbow knots in her hair
and a coin pocket hat just there.

A cardigan cuff and old skirt, skirt
with bloomers from another stripey shirt.

A purple jumper for a vest.
That same stripey shirt as the ling, nothing less!

Add a little brown of the Op shop trim.
Now she's truly a precious thing!

Elegant Edith, pretty and poised
Sits quietly, not making a noise.

An apricot napkin makes her fair.
Fabric knots and glass beads in her hair.
Add a cuff from a shirt,
Pamela's apron and Nana's organdy for a skirt.

Oh, and bloomers to match. She's quite a catch.

Round her shoulders
a shawl from a dress once worn for all
(by Nana at Dad's graduation).

Now there's her dress. She's ready to impress!

A body of plaid from a jacket once so fab,
stuffed to the brim with off-cuts from fabulous things.

Dressing gown and drill pants hair.
A man's shirt cuff and pocket skirt round there,
with ribbed, skivvy bloomers as underwear.

This girl has so much zing,
so yellow trim is just the thing.

Miss Doreen, funky and green
absolutely must be seen