DALLAS — Debby Kirkwood, a staff member of the Back Mountain Memorial Library, is displaying her collection of vintage sewing articles at the library in December.
Kirkwood states that her mother got her interested in sewing as a young teen. She began then by making clothes. Taking a liking to the craft, Kirkwood continued sharpening her skills during sessions at 4H Clubs. After these ended, she kept sewing on her own for “quite a few years.” As a young woman, Kirkwood worked at Jo Ann Fabrics where she greatly increased her sewing knowledge of fabrics and the tools used in sewing.
Her sewing collection on display consists of wooden bobbins, old needle cards, sewing and embroidery hand-held tools, various sizes of wooden spools of thread, sock darners and an antique Singer portable sewing machine set in the original wooden case. Kirkwood’s favorite pieces are the sewing machines and the old buttonhole maker. Kirkwood has been collecting these items for more than 30 years.
When visiting the library this December, stop and view these colorful and historical sewing memorabilia pieces. Then enter into the Children’s Room and see the library bear, Sunny. Sunny is outfitted in her holiday red dress trimmed in white fur that was designed, cut and sewn by Kirkwood. Kirkwood generously shares her sewing talent with the library and especially for all the library children by creating Sunny’s year-round and holiday wardrobe.