Pattern from the past

Nightie1

I have a photograph of my mother wearing this Marks & Spencer nightie. It was taken in 1975; she is sitting up in bed with a baby in her arms, and a blonde-haired girl is under the covers beside her, kissing the baby’s forehead.

The little girl is me, aged two.

I don’t know if the pattern of this garment is familiar to me because of the photograph or because of my memories, but I do know that this flimsy day-glo nightie hangs on a hook on the back of my bedroom door, where it often catches my eye. I do know that it is very special to me.

For more self portraits and stories, go here.

July 31, 2007 in Photography | Permalink | Comments (20)

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Comments
  1. great self portrait sus. i love that nightie. xo

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  2. beatiful photo of you in the nightie and wonderful story to go with!

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  3. very beautiful shot. the colors in the nightie are bright, yet soothing in some way. lovely!

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  4. Perfect photos and I absolutely love the story. What a great connection between you and your mom.
    LC

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  5. I’ve just been watching home movie footage of my parents in 1970s London and I am amazed at the beautiful, gauzy, colourful saris my mother is wearing…

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  6. gorgeous, dreamy photos and yummy story…
    xoxo

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  7. Love the photo on top. It’s so very…Virgin Suicides. Languid and summery.

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  8. Really fun pattern…but what matters the most here, of course, is the lovely story that accompanies it. It brings a sense of warmth and history.
    xoxoxo

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  9. I love these kinds of memories and how you keep them present in today’s life :)
    xo

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  10. I’ve been wandering down memory lane lately also. For me, the small things (like you with your mother’s nightgown) bring back the strongest memories. Thanks for sharing your beautiful remembrance.

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  11. fabric is so special to me…the texture of it, and the smell that adheres to it and won’t fade, forever. i understand the magic of that dress for you.
    this was beautiful, sus.
    xo

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  12. That’s beautiful, Susannah – the photos and the story.
    One of my favorite quilts is one where I included lots of bits of fabric I cut from clothes worn by my family and I can seem them each time I see that quilt.

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  13. GORGEOUS Susannah babanna!
    The colours are so vivid and fresh, I love it.
    What a lovely photo you speak of… Whether its the photo or nighty that sparks your memory, its a beautiful one and very sweet :-)
    Bx

    Reply

  14. I’ve been thinking of a memory quilt idea, and I think I have one now. My mothers various gowns, robes and pj’s are all very vivid to me, and sadly, still in my mothers house! I wonder if she would let me have them??
    Thanks for being an inspiration.
    Beautiful pictures.

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  15. What a beautiful and light feeling! I love the colours in the first photo. How they work together in fabric, your skin and background.

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  16. how amazing you still have that… great 70s pattern too…x

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  17. I had sheets with a 70′s day day-glo pattern on them growing up–their pattern is still imprinted on my mind’s eye. Love that you still have the nightie from then…

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  18. ohhhhhhhhhh -
    it’ s a very pretty pattern and
    this post made me feel mushy-happy:)

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  19. It sounds so sweet, that picture of little you!
    Hope you are well. OX
    :)

    Reply

  20. super sweet and super cute you :)

    Reply

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