All About The Apron (and the accessories)

Another project finished!

2011-10-15T16:25:00.000-07:00

realize I am not doing as many projects as I had hoped. What I need to do now is figure out why. I enjoy the doing of the project. They do not take long, a couple hours usually.

At the end I have an apron, a nightie, seat cushions, or something else useful.

So why do I just not sit down and get it done? I have no clue. I do know I need a schedule. So beginning Monday I plan to implement one. I want to plan 2 hours of crafting a day.

Yesterday was a nice day, I actually made an apron yesterday. This material I have had for years. I bought it wanting to make a full length apron. I LOVE the fabric's theme and saw myself as Laura in it. Well I may not be Laura, but it did spur me on to getting homemaking things done this morning.

So here is my accomplishment from yesterday:

Beginning:

Iron:

Sew:

Tada:

What do you think? I love the homesteady feel of the pattern.

The length goes to my ankles, just as most of my skirts do.

What have you created lately?

Keep on Sewin' y'all

Mission: New Nightie!

2011-09-24T17:54:00.000-07:00

I love pretty nighties. I do not like paying $13 for them. I have not liked any I have seen for sale. I have a couple I enjoy. My solution? Take one apart (Thank you Judy!) and use it as a pattern for a new one. I have not had a new nightie in about 4 years, I think it is time, don't you?

What I had for my first trial attempt:

Sew Sew Sew:

Tada!

It is roomy and comfy and long enough to hide my knobby knees.

I have many projects ready to sew. I am hoping this week will be one where my sewing machine and I spend some true quality time together!

Keep Sewin' y'all!

The need? Chair cushions.

2011-09-13T07:36:00.000-07:00

So for a few years we have had these wooden chairs. I love them however we play a lot of games... Like for hours on Saturday afternoon and they get well... HARD! I knew I needed chair cushion and a few months back I stumbled on the perfect fabric for them at a yard sale. Finally I began planning. I wanted them to have a removable cover so they could be washed when needed. I do not do zippers, yet any way. Then DS dropped off a couple of worn out pillows and the wheels began turning... I decided to make them as if I was making a bag and to use the ties that kept them in place as the closure. The end result was tested Saturday and was pronounced much better than the hard wooden seat! Now to stop the cats from undoing the bows on the ties...

The supplies:

The object, make chair cushions with a removable, washable cover. One that was easy peasy to get off and wash.

Cut:

Sew:

TADA:

I washed the pillows then I cut the pillows in 1/2 and sewed up the end. 1/2 a pillow was just right for what I needed! It is fun to see things in my home, then look at boughten solutions and realize, hey I can make that! I love that word, boughten. I read it once long ago in a book about some one who had boughten teeth... and have loved it ever since.

So what have you made instead of bought for your home?

Keep Sewin' y'all!

Having some fun.

2011-08-26T11:27:00.000-07:00

For the last couple weeks I have been in the dumps. I have no idea why just nothing appealed to me. I really dislike it when I get like that but hey, it happens so what do you do? Well if you are me you read... a LOT. Especially pioneer style books or Grace Livingston Hill books. You also listen to up beat hymns over and over and over again. Then one day, like today you wake up with a song on your lips and a bounce in your step and the urge to once again be creative.

I looked over the aprons I have made and decided to go for a bit of frill on this next one. This one became an experiment. I had a bland purple pattern cut already. So I dug into my stash of rick rack and laces and goodness knows what :

This is a 7 drawer chest. 6 of which are stuffed with rick rack and laces and who knows what all. There is more in the closet in a basket and in a box under the sewing table and... you get the idea.

This pile is what I began with:

Since this was an experiment and not up for sale I did it free hand and did not do all the ironing I do on ones for sale. I made a few mistakes in it too, probably because I did not preiron the seams.

Sew Sew Sew:

Tada:

This apron has the ties at the top, they cross over in the back and go through loops to tie at the waist. I have an apron in this style made for me by a sweet lady I have lost touch with. I love it but for 1 thing. It has no pockets. I need pockets. However I can never decide if I want deep or wide ones. (Great now that hymn is going through my head but I only know part of it! )

So on this apron I put one of each so I can see which I use most often.

I also used a combination of stitches, #1 and #3 on this.

For an extra bit of frill I added the vintage lace along the bottom. I know it is not real fancy but it satisfied my urge for a pretty apron. I got to sew and sing hymns and have a really happy morning!

What do you think?

Keep on sewin' y'all!

A very pretty finish!

2011-08-10T08:40:00.000-07:00

I made this apron for my friend Roxy. She has 3 of the most adorable girls... so now I am thinking of doing a few trials in child sizes...

I really loved the roses on this fabric. The color is just what a rose should be! As usual the seams are double folded for no fraying and the pockets are reinforced.

Roxy told me yesterday that this apron has already stood a trial as she washed a stray kitty they found in their yard while wearing it!

The beginning with an audience:

Iron Iron Iron...

Sew Sew Sew...

Picking buttons...

Tada...

I am part of an apron group on yahoo. There are so many cool apron patterns out there! I want to make them all!

I am working on a schedule now that will give me a day each week to cut patterns, and then 3 days of sewing...

I also must begin planning and executing Christmas projects!

Keep on Sewin' y'all!

I am back.

2011-08-01T09:56:00.000-07:00

I had another health scare with my Beloved but he is back on track now.

I have several aprons cut that I need to sew. Today however I decided to work on an idea that has been on my mind the last few days.

I read... a lot... and I enjoy fancy book marks. Some books like my Bibles have many places marked. You know certain scriptures just fill a need at any moment. Instead of turning pages to find them when needed I like to just open up to them.

I have a lot of scraps of this and that. I also have a ton of lace, binding and rick rack to find uses for.

So I began with this one fabric scrap in particular and decided I wanted a book mark out of it. I found a cool color to back it with and a lace I felt worked with the very busy pattern and away I went.

I began with this:

A Bit of fabric, some vintage feeling lace and a jean leg.

Ironed:

Sewed:

And came up with this:

What do you think?

I have decided the jean material for the backing is too thick I think. It was hard to hold still going around the corners... I have 1 more bit of the busy fabric to use up and I have a different type of blue fabric I may try it with...

Keep on sewin' ya'll!

Thursday Things

2011-06-23T11:54:00.000-07:00

Since I have been under the weather all week I have not been able to sew. I have however done some digging in my sewing room. I discovered a few dish rags I knitted this winter. I knit in winter when it is too cold to go out and do other things.

I knit when I need quiet and prayer time too. There is something calming about picking up the needles and a skein of pretty yarn and just letting my heart talk to God while the needles do their work.

I was told I should put these on Etsy too. So I took pictures. They are very cheery.

I have small hands and while sometimes I want a big dish rag some times I want a smaller one, easier to control too. They measure 5in x 5in. They take a shorter time to knit and less yarn too. I only use sugar and cream yarn for these. I do intend to make some bigger ones too, once I have more empty time on my needles!

I hope you like these!

Keeps sewin' (er knitting?) y'all!

Friday Finish!

2011-06-17T13:11:00.000-07:00

Well this week I did not get much sewing done. Today I finally finished this LHOP apron. I loved this material, seriously it is too cute. Though the wobbly lines did not make it easy!

We began with this:

Iron Iron Iron:

Pin Pin Pin:

Sew Sew Sew:

Tada!

The mistake:

Actually it is not really a mistake. I wanted to be certain the ties and straps were sewn in good and tight. It just showed up badly on this one spot, but is hidden well among the gathers!

Now from prior experience with this style I learned you need a button or something on the straps to hold them up. So I went with a big red button and a sewn loop.

I think the next time I do a LHOP apron I need to find some way to contrast the fabric. One so my eyes don't go buggy again and 2 because I think it would look better.

I have tons of lace and such, it is just deciding what lace is sweet but not too fancy to use on an apron.

3 Aprons done and ready to get final pictures for the Etsy store! I may actually get it open tomorrow!

Keep on Sewin' y'all

Fun Friday: Altered Apron

2011-06-10T15:08:00.000-07:00

Well I did not get any serious sewing done today. I really should have. However my brain just could not handle it. My Beloved was ill last night. A call to his Dr resulted in reduced medications and he was ok this morning. Still I spent a sleepless night expecting to take him to the ER.

Once he was safely fed and off to work I laid back down and slept for... 5 hours! I never do that!

Then I had to tussle with my sewing machine, Baby, which I LOVE but she did not want her new needle put in. I guess she was tired after yesterday's apron and mending too.

Finally after about 30 minutes of fussing the new needle was installed and threaded. By then my brain needed something fun and quick and so an altered apron was born.

I do not know if you are like me or not. I always have too much stuff I want to keep next to my living room chair. To the point where I recently downsized my table from a 2 shelved rectangle to a small no shelf square. Just enough space for my lamp, tissue, note pad, Bibles and a drink. Some days that works, others not so much. What do I do with the magazines? What if the kitties knock over my drink on my Bibles?? Such great problems needed a solution.

Here dear ladies is that solution.

You will need

1 pocketed 1/2 apron

scissors

safety pins

some method of sewing

and a wooden dowel about 12 inches long.

This is my beginning:

The apron was made for me by a dear friend, but as you already know I just don't do 1/2 aprons. I also have very limited storage space. So if I am to keep it it must have another use.

Cut cut cut:

Pin Pin Pin:

Sew sew sew:

Now to put it in place

Slide the dowel end between the cushion and the arm:

Hang it over the side:

Put the cushion back:

Fill it with things you do not have space for on your tiny square table.

In my case I have a Country Living Magazine (new one!) Penzey's Spice catalog and one of my Bibles. I also put my back scratcher in there.

I hope you enjoyed this diversion!

Keep Sewing y'all!

Retro Style Apron

2011-06-09T18:08:00.000-07:00

This finish was harder for me. Mainly because I began this one over a year ago and it has been sitting partly sewn in my to make basket since then. Things I thought were ok then, kind of pester me now! LOL

I like this one for its full coverage. It is almost a jumper! One thing I have decided is that any new aprons that have the facing will also have material to cover it. I am just not giddy with the facing.

Here I go again:

Iron the rumpled pieces

Sew some seams

Oops broke the thread! I really dislike those nicks they put on the thread spools. When hand sewing they are ok but when one stops your thread when you are machine sewing everything goes all wonky!

Get the magnifier out for rethreading...

Ok off again sew sew sew

Place the pockets

Pin the bodice

The facing I am not giddy about:

The collar I am not really sure about either

The skirt

Tada! I will get some pics of a person in the aprons this weekend.

Keep on Sewing y'all!

Another one finished!

2011-06-03T18:14:00.000-07:00

This one is actually going to be for sale. It is a pretty blue one.

All I need to finish is making the magnets. These are the ones I have chosen:

Pretty aren't they? These are vintage buttons from about 15 to 20 years ago. Made in Italy even! (Sounds fancy doesn't it??)

This one had odd pockets I almost put them on upside down... You will notice they are set differently in the piecing picture and the final picture...

What do you think?

Iron:

Measuring the pockets to get them even:

Tada!

Keep on sewin' y'all!

Construction of a Magnetic Apron

2011-06-02T08:45:00.000-07:00

When I begin an apron even though I know how it will look in the end, I am always excited to see it happen!

My aprons are all one of a kind creations. Each will have it's own quirks, and none will be perfect! I will reuse a pattern, but no two will be alike. Usually because I only have enough fabric to make 1 apron. I get my fabric from the usual sources, Hobby Lobby, Hancocks and walmart. It just depends on what floats my boat when I see it. I also use unusual sources for fabric. Tag sales, Thrifts, my friends! So when I make an apron it is something different, special because no one will have one exactly like it. That is what makes it fun to sew them!

This apron was made specifically with my dear friend Gina in mind. Her fave color is aqua. I did not envision a solid color apron for her though. Hers needed to be fun and a touch funky. This material has been in my stash (my stash will keep me in business for at least 3 months even if I do not buy any more fabric!)for quite awhile awaiting my inspiration.

I decided to make her a prototype of my magnetic apron. The purpose of the magnetic apron is it is strapless. I do this so that ladies who want a full bib apron but are like me, detesting straps around the neck, can have the best of both worlds. Also, I liked the style of the buttoned aprons from the 40's. However I do not think ladies today would be willing to sew buttons to their blouses for the apron!

I also work hard to make sure there is no unraveling of the fabric. I fold it over twice, and iron the fold to make sewing it easier.

So here are the pics!

The fabric and ties:

Ironing the ties:

The ties are salvaged from this altered apron project

Sewing the pocket:

Pinning:

Ironing the seams:

Sew Sew Sew:

Picking out the perfect buttons:

Making the buttons into magnets:

Tada!

What I felt like afterwards:

There you have it, how I make this particular style of apron.

I will take pics of each apron I make, both for sale and for my own personal collection!

Keep on Sewin' y'all!

My work area.

2011-05-31T12:06:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my office/sewing room.

I still have a bit of work to do to get it just right. However to do that I need to invent more storage options for the closet! LOL what I have is obviously inadequate!

As we walk into the door we see the desk with most of my books. This is where I do my writing, bill paying, planning, and some designing. I also do my craft stuff that does not involve sewing here, like making the button magnets for my magnetic aprons. The loose buttons are in the antique sewing basket and the carded ones are in the plastic tote. I get buttons new and used, always looking for something cool or fun!

Yes I really do run 2 pcs at the same time. Sometimes one is helping me research while the other is a chat or searches or music and so forth. The laptop really lives in the living room so I can compute while Beloved and I watch Tv. For the 2 years we had the kids living here it was my only pc. The desktop is a recent thing, built from cast offs of the kids updated computers. It has most of my genealogy and such on it, though I guess I ought to put it on the lap top as well...

Above the books and laptop you can see my toy collection. Well part of it anyway. I LOVE raggedies! Some Barbies are cool too and the big doll is a Baby Crissy from the 70's. My goal some day (when time permits) is to get her new hair and make her a new outfit. I want one to match that sweet bonnet she has!

Behind the desk you can see the "black out" curtains I made to keep heat and light out of the room. I dislike the need for them but the lamps make less heat than the 103 days we often have here! My hope is they are also heavy enough to block cold winds out in winter!

Looking to the left you see my antique rocker. I LOVE this chair. It is old and comfy and the perfect place to read and pray. Please note the stack of "to be read" books on the top shelf! Below that are 1 set of my LHOP (I have 3, 2 are vintage and delicate so I got a newer set to actually read!) and my Anne Books, ones I reread quite often! Notice the quilted flag hanging up? My friend Kristi made that for me and I adore it!

Next we see the other ugly window. I do not have a curtain rod for it yet. So sadly the black out material and the curtain are just stapled up for now. This window is where the sun comes directly in. Some day there will be a trellis with roses outside it to help block that blazing sun! Under the window sits Elvis. Elvis is an albino orangutan Beloved got me one Christmas. I adore him.

Next we see Kenny, he is for now my staging area, where I iron small bits and pin things. Kenny is a 1967 Kenmore in a really nice table. In the corner is White, a 1940's cast iron machine. White has been I think rewired. He boasts a knee pedal instead of a foot pedal. I have never used White, he so far has intimidated me! Add to that his table is falling a part I do not want to do much with him until I can find a decent replacement table.

Next we see my pattern/thread/ and other sewing needs shelf. On top is my "Mel" doll. My friend Ella made that doll as close to resembling me as she could! It really fits who I am too! Next up is Baby, my new Brother machine. She is covered to protect her from dust and kitties. She worked hard this morning finishing curtains! Beloved bought Baby for me last year as a surprise valentines gift. I LOVE sewing on her she is so smooth!

Next we see the drawers where I keep more sewing needs and other craft items. The book shelf holds most of my favorite series of books. MY Grace Livingston Hill collection is here, as are my Leisha Kelly, Maggie Sefton and Jan Karon. I love to read, as you can tell! Many of the books on the bottom 2 shelves, are a set that I have not read. They are called inspirational romance. I need a good quick read now and then and these so far fit the bill! On top is one of the nativities I collect. Beloved bought this one for me 2 Christmases ago, it depicts small children. Next to it is the video picture frame Chris (youngest son) sent me for Christmas when he lived in Washington state. A much as I like it, I am happier with him home in Texas!

As we turn towards the door we see my disorganized closet! The shelves hold books for sale, craft items and I forget what else! The totes are fabric in the bottom 2 and ribbons and laces and trims in the top one. On top of it all are the materials ready to go to my cutter when she is ready for them.

Well thanks for visiting! As I said it is still a work in progress but at least it is finally set up enough where I can get to work! I hope you come back soon and often!

Keep on Sewing y'all!

I love surprising my friends.

2011-05-30T13:27:00.000-07:00

I have a very dear friend who has a lot on her plate just now. I had wanted to send her a box for her birthday last month. I have wanted to send her a box since Christmas actually. However I was sick, then MIL passed, the kids moved and Mj landed in the hospital. I never got the chance to finish her box.

Well I spoke to her on the phone the other day and decided to send what I had. I worked hard on Friday and finished her personal apron.

I hope she likes it. I feel in love with the material. When she mentioned a while back her kitchen redo would be in burgundy and sage green, I knew I had the perfect material!

This apron is a proto type of one I am tweaking. I designed it so it is very simple but I hope functional. I have one myself and I love it.

Isn't this material gorgeous?

Keep on sewing y'all!

Mel's Apron Philosophy.

2011-05-27T07:57:00.000-07:00

I have some specific ideas on aprons.

Aprons must

1) provide good coverage.

2) Have pockets!

3) cover my skirt at least to the knees

4) make me feel good about wearing them.

I have many apron patterns. One thing I notice about many simple bib patterns is the lack of front coverage. As one of my friends once said, I need them to cover my girls. When I make a bib apron I always make the bib bigger than the pattern, just because my friend reminded me that splatters hit all over, not just the 1 spot the pattern designers thought of.

An apron with out a pocket, preferably 2, is just useless to me. As I rush around my home, and I generally go a a fast pace every where, I need to have an extra hand, even if it is just to carry my chain... I mean cell phone with me. As I flutter through the house I pick up bits and bobs that belong elsewhere. Some times I need more hands than I have to cart them where they belong. Plus there are the inevitable stops and starts on the journey.

I dislike the new mod short aprons. I wear mine in the yard as well as in the house and I like to have my knees covered too. No sense ruining a skirt with grass stained knees. When I make an apron I make it a bit long, so I have solid knee coverage.

Now this last item is really important to me. I am short and fluffy. In general things marketed to my size range are... well ugly. I mean I have yet to find a denim skirt I would feel pretty wearing. I stick with basic tank tops and tees because I can not find blouses. However I can control anything I make! There for I declare that just because I am a sahw does not mean I must dress in sweats and dull drab things. I can make aprons to brighten my day and make me feel pretty. My apron is my sign that I am on duty, cooking and cleaning seem to be easier when my apron is on. I KNOW that is just in my head but still it works that way for me.

My friend Miss Maggie says "Aprons are the lingerie you wear on the outside. " I love that idea. So when I look for fabrics, and I gather them from all over, I go for the pretty patterns and colors. No browns, grays or dark dull colors for me. I want reds and blues, maybe even a pink or 2. And I SHALL wear purple! Even though I have no red hat to go with it yet...

Different aprons in me produce different moods too. A simple cleaning apron is different to me than my favorite LHOP apron.

My favorite style is the LHOP apron. Here is the one I have made:

It is too long and needs some tweaking but I LOVE it and plan to make many more!

I was able to enlarge the pattern just a bit and make it good for my short fluffy self.

What is your favorite style of apron?

What to do?

2011-05-26T06:30:00.000-07:00

The need : Curtains to cover the ugly window...

The available tools:

Scissors

Thread

Sewing machine

Aprons!

Since this blog is all about aprons, you just KNEW aprons had to figure into this some how right???

Cutting the apron in half proved to be very difficult. Not because straight lines and I do not get along (though we do not!).

It was made by a cherished friend I have lost touch with. However being a ½ apron, I just kept it in a drawer. I need the drawer space and can not longer justify storing aprons I do not use. What to do??? I want to keep it for the memory it holds of my friend.

The answer was repurpose it and make it into something else. I have 5 such aprons and am thinking on projects for all of them. However this one is perfect to cover my ugly window.

The window in my kitchen is ugly. Well ok all the windows in my home right now are ugly. They all need to be replaced, but I only have 1 that can be fixed with an apron.

So I cut the apron in 1/2. I actually cut 2 aprons one I will use for a different idea later.

Here is the ugly window:

Yes I have a window ac unit in the kitchen. When it is 103 outside, I need all the help I can get to stay cool!

Here is the area where magic happens... ok so it is where my feeble efforts to produce pretty things happens:

The beginning, 2 aprons with no clue the harm about to befall them:

Under the watchful eyes of Spazzie Girl the cruel scissors do their work...

2 aprons are now 4 panels...

Off to the sewing machine for new hems...

Sew Sew Sew...

Viola, the ugly window is... still ugly but less so with pretty curtains in place!!!

Stay tuned tomorrow for my philosophy on aprons!

See y'all then!

Welcome to All About the Apron

2011-05-25T09:03:00.000-07:00

This blog is for discussing my and my daughter in love's business, Prairie Homemaker Aprons and Accessories.

We will share links to apron literature, yes folks write books about aprons. I will share my philosophy about aprons and links to cool sites with aprons. Crafts made with aprons and hopefully lots of apron pictures!

This post is just a teaser guess, to let you know what is coming! For now I need to go get some apron work done! I will be back tomorrow hopefully with some pictures and Mel's Philosophy of Aprons!

see y'all then!