~Gingham Aprons~

There are certain fabrics that just make my heart go pitter-patter with excitement, and gingham is one of them. Last fall, I was out with a friend and found two pieces of vintage apron prints. I was ecstatic to find them, and made up aprons for my Etsy shop.

Currently for sale in my shop:



And then I was clicking links the other day and came across Rick Rack Attack, an online shop which sells vintage aprons. Just look at one of the aprons they have for sale!!!

~Another Apron~

Just now listed in my Etsy shop:

~Aprons!~

Just listed in my Etsy shop:

A reversible apron, so fun!


Mother-daughter aprons:


a half apron using a vintage apron print:

~Another sunny day~

Oh, today was just beautiful! So sunny and warm and SPRINGY. I love spring. Why, it would be wonderful if all year were like this. Ok, so I guess I'd have to move for that to happen. Hmmmm...LOL

I met with a friend for coffee, and we had a nice visit. Then I went to a bookstore and browsed through some books. I came across a lovely, lovely book:



It is chock-full of adorable apron patterns. Oh what fun, fun, fun!!!

Speaking of aprons, I've been sewing up a storm, and will soon have a few aprons listed in my Etsy shop. I need to get some decent pictures taken first though.

This afternoon Kevin and I cleared out leaves and brush from around the yard. I'm so pleased that my perennials from last year are coming back nicely, and my bleeding hearts have blooms on them! So exciting! And lots of blooms on my lilacs too! I can't wait to see them! It looks like my pruning last spring did its job.

Happy spring! *Smiles*

~2007 Projects~

1. afghan square, 2. coasters, 3. blue bag, 4. brown apron, 5. box bag, 6. coaster, 7. dpn needle case, 8. valentine runner, 9. softies, 10. napkin rings, 11. ripple afghan, 12. tea cozy, 13. knit purse, 14. Mrs B's aprons, 15. zippered clutch, 16. zippered pouches, 17. Monkey Socks, 18. Child's First Sock, 19. Reversible apron, 20. socks

I did not include a few of the smaller projects I completed, or any of my Etsy sales. As you can see, I accomplished a whole lot more with my sewing machine than with my knitting needles!!

~Yet another apron!~

This one is for me! I bought the fabric with my birthday money.

I made my own bias tape for this apron, which was a lot of cutting and ironing, but the sewing was so much easier with my bias tape than the store-bought bias tape. Plus, I love the fact that the bias tape has flowers on it, and it coordinates perfectly with the main fabric.

I am just so much in love with this apron! I love polka-dots, and I love pink and brown together!




This will be my first time to participate in the Tie One On challenge. I've thought about it before, but never got around to actually doing it. The theme this time around is "Polka-Dots".

I loved this combination so much that I bought enough fabric to make two aprons...one for me, and one for my shop!

But, no more sewing for me today! I have baking and housework to do! We're having Thanksgiving with just the two of us this year, but I'm still preparing a traditional Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings.

Have a blessed day!

~Another Apron~

Just for Christmas, just listed in the shop.



I just love the back:



Also, all my fall items are marked half off now. *Smiles*

~Friday's Projects~

I happily sewed today away!

Now in my Etsy shop:

Another "flapper" apon, made out of reproduction feedsack material. I just love the thought that it is *possible* that someone made this very apron in the 1930's!



Two more zipper pouch sets...





Next up: some more aprons, including one for Christmas!

~Aprons~

Yes, I am silly enough to put up a clothesline every time I want to take a picture. Our house and garage have the nicest clothesline holders I've seen, but not exactly in a spot that I want to leave up a permanent clothesline. The clothesline that I happen to have only has about three or four extra inches beyond the span of the house and garage, and still, the little clamps hold up the line very nicely, see:



(Yuck, ignore the dirty house! LOL)

Anyhow.


Mrs. B asked me to make her two aprons. She chose the fabric from Hancock's of Paducah, and I made them for her. (I might add that this was the first time I had ordered from Hancock's of Paducah, and I was very impressed with the fabric selection they have, as well as their fast shipping!)



I just love the fabric she chose!


If you would be interested in an item I make, and would like to customize it as Mrs. B has done, please send me an e-mail, and we can work the details out!

~For a Friend~

A half apron, edged in eyelet.

~A new apron~

If you don't have a sister or two, you should definitely get some! ;-) Having sisters is fun. They are fun to give to; for example: dish towel aprons and scotty dogs. But sometimes I get a little surprise in my mailbox from one of my sisters, and that just makes my day!

Yesterday I opened a package to reveal:



an adorable apron! I will get so much use out of this! I love it!

I am blessed to be the oldest in a family of nine, with seven sisters and one brother. Brothers are fun too. But they don't really like girly stuff. LOL I get practical gifts from my brother (i.e. maple syrup for Christmas, raisins for my birthday. YUM)

~Dishtowel Aprons~

Once again, my two youngest sisters are going to profit from my blog hopping. *Smiles*

I found this tutorial, and couldn't resist making some darling little aprons!



I found a package of three cheerful dishtowels on clearance for $1.99. One of the aprons has trim across the top, which was 50% off. Each apron takes almost a whole package of wide double fold bias tape. It wasn't on sale, but bias tape isn't expensive.



If you have a little girl in your life, and you know how to sew a straight line, she needs you to make one for her. *Grin* It is a quick, fun, inexpensive project!

~The Apron Book~

After reviewing (but not completely reading) The Apron Book: Making, Wearing, and Sharing a Bit of Cloth and Comfort by EllyAnne Geisel, I thought I'd share how I like love it.

There are many pictures of vintage aprons throughout the book. Little snippets of household advice are scattered about the pages. Here and there different people share a favorite memory involving loved ones and aprons.

There is a paper pattern in the back for a bib apron, and there are also several patterns drawn out in the book (dimensions are given, you would have to make your own pattern, which would not be hard if you have a bit of sewing experience). Pocket possibilities are drawn out, and explained.

I love this book! It is so fun just to flip through and look at the pictures. It would make a lovely gift to a new bride, and it for sure makes a wonderful gift to yourself! *Smiles*

~Christmas teacups~

Isn't this fabric adorable? It was on clearance, and I just knew that it would be happy coming home with me! I'm going to make an apron out of it.

Aprons: Show and Tell

Thank you, ladies, for the wonderful participation in this show and tell! I've enjoyed seeing everyone's aprons this week!

Here you go:
Rhonda posted her apron picture, noting that the stains are on the apron, not on her clothes!
Kelleigh poses as the modern June Cleaver, showing that housework can be accomplished in pretty clothes, when you wear an apron, of course!
Courtney found a darling apron at Goodwill, and her blog readers got a sneak peak of it here.
Mrs. Wilt showcases her "serendipitous thrift store find", and in an earlier post, her readers were treated to an Ode to Aprons.
Awww, look at this "Berry" special apron worn by a "Berry" special mother, Kristi! Kristi and her daughter show us her grandmother's two aprons (what a treasure!)
Jennifer recently purchased a vintage serving apron. What a great find!
Dawn's friend gave her a gorgeous vintage apron. What a sweet gift!
Inspired by this show and tell, Cindi sewed a vintage looking apron, using some lace that she made herself. (Wow, now I want a fancy sewing machine! Hehe)
Lori has quite a collection of aprons, from her grandmother and great-grandmother. What a collection to treasure!
Deb (in her brand-spankin' new apron) and her daughters share their lovely aprons.
Edit to add: Lora's daughter is busy making her an apron, using overalls and bandana fabric. Cute! Once you're there, click on the picture to get a better look at it!

In previous posts, I've shown my aprons: here and here.

*Sigh* There's nothing that says "homemaker" more than an apron!

Aprons: Show and Tell

Do you remember "Show and Tell" from when you were in school? Everyone got to bring something to school and tell the class about it. My favorite Show and Tell was when my mom brought my baby sister to my classroom!

As ladies, it's still fun to show off a bit, isn't it? *Grin* That's why I'm organizing an Apron Show and Tell. It's similar to a carnival, but it won't be recurring.

If you'd like to participate, it's simple! Within the next week, post a picture on your blog showing one or more of your aprons, and tell us about them. After you've done so, send me an e-mail with the link to your post. If you don't have a blog, you can send me a picture, and I'll post it along with the entries. Next Tuesday evening, I'll post the entries. If you have your entry in by 6 p.m. (EST), Tuesday, May 30, it will be included! How easy is that?

I have recently found out that being in carnivals and the like is a fun way to add more traffic to your blog, and maybe gain a new friend or two in the process! Feel free to post about the Show and Tell on your blog, so that we have a lot of participants!

Two Vintage Aprons

My grandma made this when she was a young college wife. She made them to sell, and for some reason, this one didn't sell. One year, she gave it to me for my birthday.

If you look at it, you can tell that it was made out of handkerchiefs. I looked at it last night, and it appears that it took four hankies to make. This must have been somewhat popular to do at the time, because I've seen hankie aprons here and there in antique stores.


Another apron that I have in my collection is a handpainted Christmas apron. I'm guessing it's from the 60's or 70's, since fabric paint was popular back then. Rebecca, my sister-in-law, was given some vintage lines, and she passed it on to me. I haven't worn it, but I did bring it out at Christmas time, and hang it on my apron hook.

I forgot about these aprons when I made my original apron post. I have quite a few aprons, hmm? And yet, I still want to make more! *Grin*

The Apron as a Gift

In February, 2001, I decided to make aprons for all of my sisters (7), mom, sister-in-law, and mother-in-law. (Yes, that's right...a total of 10 aprons!)

It started out with an apron pattern in a library book that featured lots of lace and insertions. I went off to the fabric store and came home and made the apron, all in one day. The others were made using various patterns that I either had or bought.

I had planned to make an apron a month, and be finished in November. Hahahaha...have I mentioned before what a procrastinator I am? I had four to make the week before Christmas! But I got them all done! The older girls are all saving their aprons in their hope chests, and my mom uses hers.

The apron makes a lovely gift, whether hand made or purchased. It is something fun to receive, and most ladies do not wear aprons these days, simply because they do not have one.

Apron Links

Tonight I've done a little online research, and come up with some apron links for your enjoyment.

Apron patterns
Make a Colonial Apron out of a dishtowel
Gardener's Apron to make
Child's Fun Time apron
BBQ Apron
Garden Apron and Gloves
Cleaning Apron
I love the apron patterns that Paisley Pincushion sells! One of these days, I'll buy them!

Aprons to purchase
Ooh, la, la...Red Polka Dot apron I think this apron is adorable! Check out the other aprons linked on this page.
Apparently even Desperate Housewives need aprons. Having *never* watched the show, I do not endorse it in the slightest bit. However, the apron they are selling is cute...
Real Simple's retro apron

Hillbilly Housewife talks about aprons.

Tie One On--a blog dedicated to aprons. Each month, the theme is different, and readers share their creations.

And even an apron for your dish soap bottle! LOL My grandma had one of these when I was a tiny tot, and I thought it was the neatest thing!

The In Grandma's Attic book series has a very memorable story about aprons in it. The jist of the story was that the mother had been so busy that day, that she put a clean apron on about 6-8 times...she didn't even have time to take off the dirty apron. So at dinner time, as she took off each apron, it told the day's story.

The above links are not an endorsement of any website.

~My Aprons~

I wear aprons often for cooking and cleaning chores. Wearing an apron puts me “in the mood” to cook and clean! Each of my aprons has its own story, thus the lengthiness of this post!

The apron that has seen the most wear is the cream colored apron. I use this apron when I’m canning or cooking something really messy. I made this apron using a vintage thrift store apron as a pattern. My mom bought the original apron, and I liked it so much that I made a pattern from it and made one for myself. I showed the back view as well, since it is a little unusual.

When I was engaged, I bought materials for two aprons, and finished one before I got married, and one afterwards. These two aprons are the half aprons—the pink flowered one with rick-rack and bias tape; and the blue gingham with rick-rack and cross stitch.

The denim apron was made out of a jumper that I had. It got a little worn out, yet I didn’t want to part with it. So I made an apron!

I acquired the blue striped apron at a church yard sale. It was free, since it was the end of the day and we were taking everything that hadn’t sold to a thrift store. This apron seems to be the apron I wear the most! It covers me well, and since it had a few stains on it to begin with, I’m not worried about ruining it.

I bought the green gingham apron at an antique store. It still had the original price tag sewn into the seam. I haven’t worn this apron. I have it on a hook in my kitchen; it makes a nice decoration!

And lastly, I made the apple-patterned apron out of just one yard of fabric, using a new “vintage” pattern. This is an apron that I tend to wear when we’re having company. It looks nice, and goes well with my kitchen. =)

The vintage aprons have more detail in them, and make use of lots of bias tape! I don’t really like applying bias tape, but I love the finished product, so I persevere. *grin*