It all started with a poodle skirt. That’s when the sewing talents of Retha Cunningham were discovered. Last spring, Retha’s granddaughter participated in the youth choir’s presentation of Sold Rock Café. The children were going to wear 50’s style clothing of a white shirt and blue jeans and saddle shoes. Retha suggested that the girls wear poodle skirts, and she offered to make them for all the girls. They turned out beautifully and Retha probably thought she was finished with sewing at church.
Enter Debbie Horton, who Randy had given the job of handling costumes, hair, and make-up for “A Time For Christmas.” If you’ve read Debbie’s bio, you’ll know that Debbie soon realized that God was leading her to form three subcommittees (one for hair, one for make-up, and one for costumes) and to assign and delegate some of the responsibilities she’d been given. Randy remembered Retha’s wonderful poodle skirts, and suggested Debbie contact Retha about the costumes. She did, and Retha agreed to help, probably not knowing what in the world she was agreeing to.
Actually, Retha’s sewing did not begin with a poodle skirt, but with little scraps of fabric that her mom used to teach her to sew before she was even old enough to go to school. She’s no stranger to sewing in large quantities, either, having made costumes for all the girls in her granddaughter’s dance recital. One year, she was making 40 red and white holiday dresses like the ones that Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen wore in the final scenes of White Christmas. She had a heart attack and says with a laugh, “I didn’t even get to see the performance!”
Retha has had many volunteers help with the costumes. Numerous ladies have come in to iron, cut, and sew, spending many hours and most every day at church working. I had the opportunity to sit down with Retha, Rose Lee, and Lynn Stauffer as they laughingly shared the fun they’ve had sewing together. Their self-proclaimed motto has been “leave it alone, it’s just a costume!” They explained that whenever someone got overly concerned about details such as the color of interior seams, they would remind themselves to “leave it alone” and just use whatever color of thread they had on hand because it’s only going to be on stage and no one in the audience will see those interior seams. They’ve teased each other about their mistakes and they’ve laughed until they’ve been sore! Their attitudes are so positive and they are all so lighthearted and cheerful. Retha is even sewing the last costumes while getting over pneumonia and I never heard one word of complaint.
Retha says that it is amazing how “A Time For Christmas” hasn’t even been performed yet, and it is already touching so many people. She told me about an elderly shut-in who was brought into the wound center by ambulance where she was cared for by Dr. Wolfe (his wife Carol is in the OCC choir). He realized this woman needed to get out and get involved in something, so he contacted Retha to see if she needed more sewing volunteers. The woman was so excited to have the opportunity to work on the costumes and was very disappointed when she was put in the hospital and wasn’t able to keep her commitment to sew. When she’s released, transportation is going to be arranged for her to start attending OCC and Retha plans to have her help with any sewing that might be left. Through these connections, all stemming from a production that hasn’t even been performed, this woman has received acceptance, friendship, hope, and the opportunity to be productive and feel needed.
After listening to all the stories these ladies had to tell, I suddenly wished I’d learned to sew, not only to be able to help them, but to be able to spend more time in their presence. When you come to see “A Time For Christmas,” and you see all the bright and beautiful costumes floating across the stage, be sure to remember how much work was put into them and the spirit with which they were so lovingly crafted.
