The Story of Patches

Sewing on Patches.

Today’s post is the life story of a pair of well-worn and patched sweatpants that I’ve had for about 45 years. In a way, it’s my story too. And "sew" the tale begins.

According to her faded “birth certificate” label, Patches was born in the States into the Tultex active wear clan. In the early years, Patches didn’t have a name. She was new and light green in colour. During the mid-70s, I was a teacher in Bellflower living in Lakewood, California. Mornings and evenings I would jog the tree lined streets or head to the Jack LaLanne gym around the corner. Patches joined me on many occasions.

Patches moved with me to a Cerritos condo in the late 70s. My teaching job morphed into a quasi-administrative position so running was put off to weekends. That meant we had nights to relax in front of the gas fireplace and eat pizza from the little shop around the corner.

Patches sports her first blue patch while gardening in 2008.

Patches moved to Pomona when Wayne and I got married. She spent many of those years in semi-retirement in the bottom drawer (my space) of Wayne’s dresser. While there, she had a harrowing experience. Pepper, the cat I adopted while teaching kindergarten, got stuck in the drawer when Wayne and I were packing for vacation. Uncle Bill agreed to cat sit, but couldn’t find Pepper until he heard a faint meow two days later. Fortunately for Patches, Pepper was able to wait until she got out to head to the litter box. What a relief for everyone!

More patches while painting new bathroom furniture in 2011.

Patches (still without a name) made it into a moving box to head for our Pomona townhouse. She got through the pre-move closet purge because of her utilitarian value. In the beginning, there was lots of gardening to be done and painting fifteen years later to prepare for yet another move. I can still see the smudges of honour on her cuff.

Patches helps out with firewood log splitting in 2013.

In 2001, Wayne and I discovered float cabins on Powell Lake in British Columbia and purchased one on the spot. Back at our California home I packed four large cardboard boxes and sent them via UPS to Powell River. In amongst sheets, blankets, and kitchen supplies was Patches. She made good packing material and would serve as my first cabin work clothes.

Patches gets gumboots to help with wood gathering in 2016.

Patches was glad to have a new purpose in life. If I was gardening, she was there. If I was gathering or chopping wood, she was there. If I was doing cabin maintenance, she was there. She even got to go on fun fishing trips in our tin boat.

Then later that year Patches helps paint a friend's roof.

In Spring 2008, she earned her first patch to cover a hole worn through her left knee. It was a proud blue badge for a job well done. And it earned her a well-deserved name.

Sporting her new maple leaf patches in 2018.

Since that first patch, many have been added. After blue came green. Then I found Canadian maple leaf pillow cases at the Economy Shop. The clerk knew they wouldn’t stay on the shelf long. Little did she know they weren’t destined for my bed, but a much grander purpose. In August 2018, Wayne and I (along with Patches) became Canadian citizens. Now she wears her maple leaves with even more pride.

Patches still going strong repotting blueberry bushes in 2019.

I don’t know how long Patches will have an active wear work life, but I continue to add to her collection. Hopefully our partnership will last for many years to come.

Patches today, becoming more patches than knit.

 Do you have any special clothes that have made the cut through successive closet purges? What story do they have to tell? -- Margy