To meet my favorite shop and the smile I love.

Hello, this is Momomi.

Do you have a favorite place that cheers you up, makes you happy, and brings peace to your heart even when things are tough?

I previously wrote an article about my favorite dress.

The fabric store I used to visit often when I was making that dress is my favorite place.
Originally, it was a shop my mother, who loves sewing, liked, and it has been about 10 years since I started going there too.
I became friends with the staff, and I became such a regular customer that they would greet me whenever I went to the shop.
Among them, there was one staff member I was particularly close with. She is a little younger than my mother, and I would bring fabric and books to ask for her advice, or wear the clothes I made to show her. When I developed breast cancer, she was very worried about me, and when I was discharged from the hospital, she cried with joy.

I loved that time, and it was a comfortable place for me, but I became mentally exhausted from work and could no longer make clothes or accessories. I lost my peace of mind, and naturally, I stopped visiting the shop.

In truth, that was exactly when I should have gone to my favorite space, but for the past few years, due to the staff member's age, her shifts were significantly reduced, and often I wouldn't see her even if I went.
I felt lonely when I went to the shop and couldn't see her, so for the last year or two, I only went about once every six months.

The other day, when I was talking to my mother on the phone, the subject of the fabric store came up. She said she wanted to go, so I decided to buy some fabric as a Mother's Day gift and went to the shop for the first time in a while.
When I arrived at the shop, I immediately looked for that staff member, but I couldn't find her. As I was feeling down...
“Welcome!!”
I heard a familiar, gentle voice from behind me.
I was so happy that tears welled up in my eyes, my vision blurred, and the tears I had been holding back overflowed all at once.
“I haven't seen your face for a while, so I was worried. I'm glad you look well.”
She looked at my face and said that with a smile.
I was so happy I could have jumped, and I laughed while crying.

It seems she will be retiring this summer, and while a feeling of loneliness washed over me at the thought that I wouldn't be able to meet her in this place anymore, I also felt glad that I came at this timing. Because I was able to meet her and hear that news.

I really love this shop.
There is so much fabric I love that I always struggle to decide which one to choose.
Just looking at the threads, lace, zippers, and buttons that match the fabric makes my heart dance.
But I realized once again that the reason I love it is because someone I love was there.
Even if it was just for a short time, seeing her face and talking to her would cheer me up.
I feel that it was a truly important place for me.

Since I bought fabric for the first time in a long while, I think I will try making a blouse or some accessories.
The time spent creating is also a healing time for me.

When I finish making them, I have to go buy the next fabric.
To my favorite shop, to meet that person's smile.

Thank you for reading until the end.
This is the fabric I bought.

There is no consistency, with hearts and Yoda and such.
I think I will try to do a little bit of sewing again after a long time.

My favorite shop is Otsukaya.