Olivia Maloney not only looks like her mother, she looks up to her mother.
It was just a few months ago that Olivia, 8, told her mother she wanted to learn to sew.
So Joyce Maloney bought Olivia a starter sewing kit and children's sewing machine.
Joyce too had a love of sewing, but had gotten too busy over the years to do much. Now her daughter's passion for stitching, has given Joyce the incentive to pick up a needle and thread again.
And Olivia? Well, the third grader is sewing up a storm. She has started her own little business out of the family's Gates home.
Mending Dad's socks and shorts. Fixing holes in Mom's sweatshirts. Olivia has it all down to a science.
Above a chair in the kitchen hangs a sign that reads: "Olivia's Sewing and Mending."
Family members are asked to leave their name and describe the item that needs sewing, and when you want it done.
Olivia charges a small amount, which she will put in her savings account and maybe someday use to buy a real sewing machine.
I remember how hard my mother tried to get me to learn to sew. She enrolled me in classes, and usually wound up getting a call that I had made a mistake and cut through a dart in the pattern!
It wasn't my thing.
But it is Olivia Maloney's thing and she is sharing not just her mother's love of sewing, but also learning valuable lessons.
You see as I once learned, you must have patience to learn to sew. You must also pay attention to directions and learn from your teacher.
Olivia is learning not just how to sew and earn a few dollars along the way, she is learning skills that will help her in life.
She is also learning that you don't always get things right the first time. Her mother bought her a seam ripper, so if it's not just right, she can rip it out and start over.
Who knows? Maybe someday she'll be making her own childrens clothes or the curtains in her kitchen.
Or just remember the good time she had learning to love how to sew. Just like her Mom.
Patrice Walsh, Reporter
