A Legacy Sewn: Turning Uniforms into Heirlooms with R. Riveter
Susan Curry's Heirloom Story:
When I first saw the bags my neighbor had created, I was instantly captivated. He had taken his Navy uniforms—fabric imbued with history and service—and transformed them into about ten incredible bags. I had never heard of anything like it, and I thought, "How cool is that?"
For me, sentimentality runs deep. I cherish things made by my mother and grandmother; I still have all their sewing materials. I realized what a no-brainer it would be to create something meaningful from my father's own military history. My father was so proud to be a Marine, and I wanted to honor that feeling.
A Discovery, a Loss, and a Hidden Treasure
The idea took hold, but when I finally went to gather my father's old military uniforms, I realized they had been gotten rid of after he passed away ten years prior. It was a huge disappointment.
However, my sister came through with a true gem: the very first sport coat my grandfather, a tailor by trade, had made for my father's 13th birthday.
Suddenly, I had a way to honor both my father and my grandfather through a single, perfect piece of fabric. It was a way to weave together two generations of my family’s history into something tangible and enduring.
The Dream Team: Working with R. Riveter
After seeing what was possible, I knew I needed to find the right partner. Working with R. Riveter was unbelievably easy. My first step was a road trip down to their flagship store in Southern Pines, North Carolina, to explore my options.
The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. They gathered up all the potential handbag styles and sizes, let me walk around with them, and explained exactly how they could utilize the personal items I had. I left the store feeling excited, comfortable, and confident about the project.
More Than Just Fabric: The Sentimental Power of Military Gear
Though my father’s uniforms were gone, I still had some incredible pieces from his service: his military headwear and his gun belt. My love for transforming meaningful items had already led me to use his canteen and silverware to create a unique frog sculpture (I collect them!) and turn his helmet into a turtle. I am, as I said, extremely sentimental about these things.
For the bags, I knew the gun belt offered limited material, but I absolutely love how the R. Riveter team incorporated it. They beautifully utilized the belt itself, one of the pouches that held his first aid kit, military emblems, and even a piece of leather I wasn't sure of its origin. They also took one of his dress hats and used a gorgeous design from the top of it to accent one of the final pieces.
A True Legacy
These bags are more than just accessories; they are beautifully made heirlooms. They mean I carry a little piece of my family with me at all times, and I’m actively honoring my father’s commitment to being a Marine.
My only disappointment in this entire journey is that I never managed to obtain anything from my father-in-law's Navy service—but I’ll be watching for anything R. Riveter produces with a Navy connection!
From my initial phone call to the final, stunning product, R. Riveter was a dream to work with. A special shout out to Justine for being so patient and kind with all my messages back-and-forth!
We are absolutely thrilled with the finished bags. I would not hesitate to do this again and would recommend R. Riveter to anybody. I have shown these bags and explained the story to countless people, hoping that they too will be smart enough to transform their own family's history into a meaningful legacy.
