western australia

Cleaning out cupboards

@JudyEv (347485)

Rockingham, Australia

January 29, 2025 7:33am CST

My sister-in-law died from cancer not quite four years ago. We had just moved to the Perth area. Since then, we have seen a lot of Vince’s brother and have supported him as best we could. We have done a few projects together and helped each other out from time to time. Slowly, my BIL had been going through cupboards and getting rid of some things. One of those things was a big bag of knitting wool. Some had been attacked by moths and was thrown out; some I made into beanies and some I donated to a charity. A few days ago, he gave me a bag of baby clothes. I’ve had to throw a few items out. The other items I’ve washed and ironed and will pass them on to another sister-in-law as she volunteers at an op shop/thrift store. The deceased SIL knitted some lovely garments and was also a good seamstress. The little garments are very pretty as you can see. It’s very sad but what else can you do with such things? Hopefully some other mother will enjoy seeing her children in the garments.

25 people like this

21 responses

@flapiz (23293)

• United Kingdom

29 Jan

They are really beautiful dresses and I am sure you will make someone happy with it. Although your SIL has passed away she left something that can bring joy to others.

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@flapiz (23293)

• United Kingdom

30 Jan

@JudyEv Have you given it to someone you know or are you bringing it to Salvos? I hope you can give it to someone you know so you can see it get worn

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@JudyEv (347485)

• Rockingham, Australia

31 Jan

@flapiz They're all going to my SIL who volunteers at St Vincent de Paul so I probably won't get to see them worn.

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@JudyEv (347485)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Jan

Some little girls will look lovely in these, that's for sure.

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@shaggin (73985)

• United States

29 Jan

The clothes look very pretty. I wonder how old they are. They look like classics that can be beautiful on any generation.

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@JudyEv (347485)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Jan

They would be about 40+ years now as the daughters are all in their 50s. They had three girls.

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@shaggin (73985)

• United States

30 Jan

@JudyEv definitely classics then

.

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@allknowing (141683)

• India

29 Jan

Those are pretty dresses. Wonder who was your sis-in-law planning to give them.

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@JudyEv (347485)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Jan

They were worn by her own children. I forgot to mention that.

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@DaddyEvil (142610)

• United States

29 Jan

I'm sure someone will love getting them for their daughter.

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@JudyEv (347485)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Jan

Hopefully they'll find new homes and be worn at least a few more times.

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@DaddyEvil (142610)

• United States

30 Jan

@JudyEv The look nice in the photo. I'm sure they'll be well-loved by their new owners.

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@rakski (133764)

• Philippines

29 Jan

I'm sure it will be of good use to other moms out there

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@rakski (133764)

• Philippines

30 Jan

@JudyEv I think so too

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@JudyEv (347485)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Jan

Hopefully, some Mums will be pleased to snap them up.

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@arunima25 (89290)

• Bangalore, India

29 Jan

They are such lovely little garments. I am sure that the needy ones will appreciate it. Your deceased sister in law was indeed very talented.

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@JudyEv (347485)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Jan

They don't seem to wear such pretty stuff anymore but someone will like them.

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@arunima25 (89290)

• Bangalore, India

30 Jan

@JudyEv That's shame. I would love them. I hope that they go to someone who appreciates it

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@GardenGerty (162382)

• United States

29 Jan

You are good to help that brother in law with these tasks. Even after four years I am sure they are hard.

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@JudyEv (347485)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Jan

It's taken him a while to come to terms with it all. They lost a grandson to a brain tumour quite some years ago now. That was hard for them too - and of course for the boy's parents.

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@pahak627 (4964)

• Philippines

30 Jan

These are beautiful dresses. I love them.

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@JudyEv (347485)

• Rockingham, Australia

31 Jan

Yes, I thought so too and some seem so small.

@RasmaSandra (82887)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

29 Jan

That is great that some things can be salvaged, They are nice garments,

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@JudyEv (347485)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Jan

Someone will be pleased to have them I'm sure.

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@Fleura (31138)

• United Kingdom

31 Jan

There are some lovely things there. I'm sure someone else will treasure them. Just because someone buys something at a thrift store/ op shop/ charity shop isn't the end of the world; I have many lovely things that I bought at charity shops or that were given to me that I really love!

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@JudyEv (347485)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Feb

It makes much more sense to put them somewhere where they can get some use. I have a few treasures that I've bought at op shops too.

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@Shiva49 (26951)

• Singapore

29 Jan

Her talents and work ethic live on. The garments look professionally made.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (347485)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Jan

She was a very accomplished dress-maker and also an excellent knitter.

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@Ronrybs (20068)

• London, England

29 Jan

I am glad you were able to donate the clothes, I feel some memory lives on

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@JudyEv (347485)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Jan

That's true. There really is no point in keeping these things and the daughters didn't want them. They do deteriorate over time.

1 person likes this

@MarieCoyle (41412)

•

1 Feb

They are so pretty, it’s wonderful that you are passing them on to be used again.

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@JudyEv (347485)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Feb

Some mothers or grandmothers will grab them, I'm sure.

1 person likes this

@somewitch (2381)

•

31 Jan

They're so pretty indeed!

It's nice some will be put to good use, I guess that's what your SIL would have wanted anyway, better than letting them "rot" in some cupboard.

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@JudyEv (347485)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Feb

It's pointless really just leaving them in a cupboard.

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@RebeccasFarm (92545)

• United States

29 Jan

Such lovely little baby clothes made good use of them Judy.

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@JudyEv (347485)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Jan

They would have looked so cute in these.

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@wolfgirl569 (112414)

• Marion, Ohio

29 Jan

Those are pretty. Someone will enjoy them

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@JudyEv (347485)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Jan

Yes, that's true. It's hard to imagine children small enough for these.

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@Marilynda1225 (83908)

• United States

29 Jan

I'm sure some mother will love those items. They really are so pretty and I find it hard to get rid of items that have sentimental value.

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@JudyEv (347485)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Jan

I know it's the sensible thing to do but as you say it's still hard. It was hardest I think throwing out the woollen items that had been attacked by moths.

@franxav (13982)

• India

29 Jan

We get children's dresses mainly at Puja times (October). Some people donate new dresses while some give out old dresses to us. While many of the clothes are useful but there are clothes no one likes to wear .

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@JudyEv (347485)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Jan

I can believe that. All of these are quite nice really so hopefully someone will want them.

@Kandae11 (55924)

•

29 Jan

That is a very sad task. How long were they married?.

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@JudyEv (347485)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Jan

They didn't quite make 50 years. They were married 3 months after us.

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@Beestring (14972)

• Hong Kong

29 Jan

Have you thought of donating those lovely little garments to charity?

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@JudyEv (347485)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Jan

I'm giving them to the husband's sister. She volunteers at a St Vincent de Paul thrift shop.

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