Back in the 80s my mother discovered punch embroidery. You basically turn a sweatshirt inside out and iron a transfer sheet on it, then stretch the fabric in a hoop and punch colored heavy thread through it. Then you wash it in hot water to shrink the transfer sheet and "lock" the loops so they don't pull out. This was before popular video games generated tons of merchandise. The NES had just come out. I took the logo from one of the game inserts and enlarged it on the church copier to a 6" x 12" design. Then I picked out each color and she drew a guide to help her know which color went where. She worked on this for days, when she could have been making shirts to sell, putting many hours and thousands of punches in it. At last it was finished. I wore it with pride to school, only to be laughed at and ridiculed by the jocks, the prima donna girls, and anyone who was remotely popular back then. "Is Zelda your girlfriend?" "Only a nerd would wear a video game shirt." I was so embarrassed that I never wore it back to school, though I did wear it around the house. Now all I have left is the front of the shirt as a cutout...not the entire sweatshirt. I look at it and I am still proud as ever, and in awe at how much time and detail and love she put into this. I look at how popular video game music and nostalgic games and gaming in general is today, and how the massive Zelda franchise of games started with this very game. I daresay today, if I wore this shirt, people would think it was as cool as I did back then. It is unique, one of a kind, special, loved dearly, and beautiful. Just like the woman who made it for me. I love you Ma. Thanks for making a kid happy when you didn't have to. This shirt was always way more cool than everyone that made fun of me. Still is.

Sewing Room ~ Embroidery Area Drawer storages under desk are Ikea Vika Alex Drawer Units Desk top is what is left from another desk. Thread storage is made from 1x3 pine. The embroidery machine is Brother Duetta 4500D. The Christmas Wall hanging is an embroidery project from AnitaGoodesign.com