Memories of My Darling Mum – Marlene Peiris (Mrs Margie Fernando’s eldest daughter)
I remember Mum launching on her Sewing Career somewhere in the early 1950's. We lived down Albert
Place, Dehiwela; her first customers were the neighbours and those living in and around Dehiwela. I can remember Quaddie and Erica who continued to patronise
her even when we moved to the Bamba Flats - Block I Flat 5. We relocated somewhere in 1957 and continued to live here till her demise on 01/04/2010. She was one of the oldest residents of the Bamba. Flats. Our neighbours at the time were the Ferdinands, Ranchigoda, Blakes, Rusquinoes, Nadarajahs,
Thamotherams, Ludowykes, Goodchild, Dicksons, Gunawardens, Vandendriesen, Wrights and Ranasinghe etc.
Mum was a quiet achiever and a perfectionist to boot. She realised that to complete her profession there were a few more things she had study so she set about learning the art of cloth flower
making also painting and tinting the flowers to look as natural as possible. She located a teacher down Melbourne Avenue I think her name was Mrs.
Rabot who herself was quite advanced in years. Mrs. Rabot having sensed Mums special talent gave her few lessons and Mum was confident that she could manage on her own. She armed herself with
the iron tools and burner and set about making the most exquisite flowers. This came in handy when she did her bridals and little maids outfits, Her next venture was to make hats, It was Aunty Katie
of Katy Modes in Borella who gave her a few lessons in this art. I must also mention that it was at Katie Modes that she fined tuned her sewing(A. Katie was a relation of my Dad) It was here
that she also learnt to do machine embroidery. I almost forgot, she also studied the art of Tie and Dye and Batik printing. All the males in the family had Tie & Dye shirts
gifted by Mum, I too had a lungi done with batik work, I guess we were the guinea pigs.
By this time her name was well known and her clientele grew so much so that she had to employ 03 helpers to do the neatning as she called it. She used to turn the garment inside out and look at the
finished product to satisfy herself. I will be failing if I don't mention our Granny who was an invaluable asset and help to Mum. Granny herself was a seamstress and she would help Mum
when it was needed, she also did the planning of meals etc.and looked into the daily household chores.
Her only relaxation was going to the Movies every Sat. and Sun. we would go for the Matinee show which was around 3.30 - 5.30p.m. She would very closely follow the change of programme. Living at the Flats the theatres were very accessible. For Mum shopping meant going to the Fort and
Pettah to buy the latest journals and replenish her stock of zips, hooks & eyes and thread which was absolute torture for me.
Of her old clients, I can clearly remember Mrs. Mathiesz, Iona Solomons, Mrs. Rodrigues, Edna Toussaint, Audrey Schokman, Lorna Jonklass, Merle Misso, Cynthia
McLeod;
It was around August 2009 when I took Mum for some tests at Durdans this incident took place. A middle aged lady came up to Mum and asked her "Are you
Mrs. Fernando from the Flats? " Are you the dressmaker ? When Mum noded in the affirmative, she introduced herself and said "can you remember? you sewed my wedding dress" Yes
Mum did remember and gently smiled. She also inquired if she still does her sewing. On hearing all this, I turned to Mum and told her that she has not changed very much or else that lady
would not have recognised her. By this time the cancer which finally got Mum had spread extensively. It was her sewing that kept Mums mind away from all the tragedies that came her way. At
first it was Stanley's illness and then it was Dad’s sudden and tragic death on 31st Dec.1975. He was knocked down by a speeding driver when he was on his way
to St. Paul's Milagiriya. We were too young to realise the challenges ahead of her but she did it. Now as I look back I realise that 3 generations have
lived in this flat. Stanley and I lived outstation and when it came to our children having to attend Montessori without thinking of it twice, the kids were brought to Mum who willingly accepted
them with open arms. She was proud of all her grandchildren and they in turn they adored her for all she was.
Her acts of charity to the less privileged was countless. There was this one lady who used to come asking for pieces of cloth with which she made
patchwork cloths and rugs and made a living to support her family. She was very special to Mum and Mum used to reserve a special bag for this purpose. She would encourage anyone who took
to sewing.
Mum was like a diamond of many facets, her God given talent she put to good use. Yes Mum was a very special creation of God and we her children are
proud to have had her as our Mother.
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