In the Apron Stash • Feathered Friends

A month or two ago, I found an adorable vintage girl's apron at an antique store. Never before in my life have I actually bought an apron! The old line of "Oh, I can make one of those!" usually prevails. This apron, however, was an exception. Its adorableness was just too irresistible.

So, a few days ago when I got the itch to sew up something for the shop, I decided to sew a little apron patterned after my vintage one!

The original apron. The style is so cute!!

Look. At. That. FABRIC. If only I had about 500 million yards of it. Yes, I would make 100 million dresses out of the same exact fabric. And like it!

Actually though, I'd even settle for just one yard of it. ;)

The apron itself is in perfect condition; no stains whatsoever, no tears, no rips. The only part of it that is worn is the seam binding, which I can easily replace.

The fabric I used is slightly less vintage-y, but still absolutely adorable. I bound the apron with some yellow/mustard polka dot fabric I had in the stash. I had never thought of putting them together, but they match perfectly!

The apron ties at the back neck and around the waist.

I love the look of narrow seam binding, however finger-scorching it is to make it! It looks so much more vintage than the wider widths, at least for a little apron.

I can't wait to make more of these little aprons! They're absolutely adorable, and quite fun to make.

Check out the listing for this apron in my shop here.

• Of Ric-rac and Aprons •

This week, our church hosted a ladies' craft night. It naturally follows that I would be wearing an apron, since aprons are my favorite. 

Of course, I couldn't just wear any old apron. I had to have a new one! So, with only about 2 hours before we had to eat and leave, I started making it. Let's just say my sewing machine got some strenuous exercise. But that's good for it, right?

I wanted to make one with ruffles on the shoulders and seam binding all the way around, but in view of my schedule, I opted for an easier design. I used See & Sew B5518, altering the bodice slightly because I wasn't putting in elastic, and I put on a different pocket. Oh, and did I mention ric-rac?

I wanted it to look something like view C in Simplicity 3544, so I added the cute little rows of ric-rac on the top, bottom and around the pocket.

If I use this pattern again, I will definitely be lengthening the straps by several inches at least. I should have measured them before I made them, but I wasn't taking time for anything like that when I made it. No pins, no markings. Just cut and run!!

Believe me, when I'm making a dress, I do things quite a bit more carefully.

Just as a side note, the dress Thelma Lou is wearing is not sheer unless you happen to have tomato-colored skin. That would be an inconvenience.

In any case, it's so nice to have a new apron to wear! I might just have to sew another one soon! :)

In the Apron Stash • Crazy Daisies

A couple of months ago, I had an idea about selling some crafts (aprons, totes, baby clothes, etc) at our local farmer's market. I went to JoAnn and bought some fabrics for that, but about that time we got busy with gardening and sewing for ourselves. (Selfish, huh?) I would pull out some of the fabric and look at it. And stare at it. And glare at it.

Nothing. No inspiration, no ideas, nothing. So, I just set that whole idea aside, since it is pretty late in the year, and I still have TONS of self-sewing to do. 

My current game plan is still the same, but, when I have spare moments of inspiration from time to time, I'll pull out some fabric or other and sew it up. This way, maybe next year I'll have the opportunity to sell some crafts, and by then I will hopefully have my "crafts-to-sell" stash going strong.

Long story short; I had a spare moment of inspiration yesterday, and sewed up a crazy daisy apron. I made it a half-apron style, with a sweetheart waistband and a three panel pleated skirt. I think it's pretty cute. Actually, I think it's very cute. So much so, in fact, that I want to keep it! (As does my mom) :-)

We're going to resist though in order to build up the apron stash.

How 'bout some pictures?

The bow....

The tails are pleated onto the waistband.

I love ric-rac lately, so I couldn't resist putting it on this apron.

Pleats

Back view of the waistband

~~~~~

I am nearing the finishing line on my polka dot 1950s dress. I am in. love. with. it. Like, wear-it-every-single-day-of-your-life in love. 

I'll get some pictures of that up as soon as I'm finished! 

Visit the blog live to leave a comment!