Sewing was a favorite hobby for one Ridgewood resident, but when tragedy struck her family it became more than just a pastime.
Erna, 80, who asked not to have her last name published, had four children, but in 2011 her youngest daughter, Kristina, died from breast cancer at age 46. About a year later, her eldest child and only son, John, died from heart failure at age 59. Living alone with the burden of losing two children, Erna needed something to help ease her loss.
“I needed something to take the pain off of my mind,” she said. “That’s why I started to sew again. I concentrate on it and not the sadness, and it helps to calm me down.”
Erna sews all types of objects, like pillows, detergent covers, aprons, bunnies, geese, dolls, snowman and carousel horses among other things. She learned back in 1985 when one of her friends introduced her to the craft.
She was still working during that time, but promised herself she would save up enough material to continue when she retired. She did, but her daughter got sick and her son had his heart attack— and she had to deal with the issues that come with being a matriarch of a large family. She lost interest in the hobby.
“Losing your children is one of the hardest things you can go through in life,” she said. “But the ambition came back for sewing and it’s been my therapy.”
Erna has her work on display at Norma’s bakery, located on Catalpa Avenue. She went with a holiday theme, with Christmas pillows, detergent covers, teddy bears and snowmen. She said it brings a different meaning to her life knowing that her work makes others happy.
“At this point, I’m just charging so I can pay for the material I use,” Erna said. “I love doing this and am so happy that others appreciate what I do.”
To check out her work, you can visit Norma’s on Catalpa Avenue or go to her Etsy page.
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