Lola takes a trip

I have two mannequins in my studio that I use when making aprons for my Etsy store. They are named Lola (the larger of the two) and Lolita. When I am in my studio sewing or designing, I always put an apron on them. The aprons inspire me and I actually feel like I have a friend nearby. Silly, though, they really keep me company when I'm working AND they never leave a mess or talk back!

Recently, a friend asked to borrow Lola. She is making a wedding dress for her daughter who lives in another town. How could I say, "No." So, Lola is away for a few weeks! I hope she finds the work satisfying. In the meantime, I've noticed that Lolita has easily filled in for her big sis'.

A Little Nostalgia, please...

I have to say, this apron which has just been added to my Etsy store, has me thinking about the good ol' days! I've noticed that many vintage apron patterns from the 30's, 40's, and 50's all have a strong design element while still remaining functional for the wearer. The best place to see this is in old movies. The aprons usually match a character or theme that is being portrayed. I think that is what I was attempting here. That combination of vintage and retro-design, a sort of take me back to another time feel, but still grounded in today.

Today, I wanted to make an apron that was a true reflection of Spring. It needed to be colorful, bright, and cheerful. I wanted it to stand out and announce itself when seen. My reason: I am thinking of putting this apron up on the Tie One On blog. The theme for this apron showcase is "spend no money" to make your apron. This fabric and all of the trims have been sitting in my stash for months, so it is eligible. But, I have never felt it calling...until today. It reminded me so much of an Emily Dickinson poem about Spring...

A Light exists in Spring

Not present on the Year

At any other period —

When March is scarcely here

A Color stands abroad

On Solitary Fields

That Science cannot overtake

But Human Nature feels...

While my apron does not really say anything about frugality, I am hoping that this it will "stand abroad on Solitary Fields" if I decide to put it on the Tie One On blog!

A DAY IN THE GARDEN

Today is garden day! We're having garden-day-perfect Texas weather: cool in the morning, sunny, not too hot. When Central Texas gets this rare, but wonderful, weather, I cannot be indoors. I must be outside, digging, planting, mulching, and watering my garden. No apron expresses these exuberant feelings better than one covered in watering cans! Everything about this apron reminds me of the satisfaction I receive from my gardens. All of this makes me wonder...When this apron goes to a new home will its new owner somehow sense my love affair with the landscape? Will the new owner somehow be compelled to reach for a package of seeds and sow them into the earth? I may never know, but I can always dream...

MAKING MEMORIES

Once I sell and mail an apron I am on to the next one, although from time to time I do wonder what the apron is doing. Is it collecting dust, does it hang as "art" in a kitchen, is it hard at work? Rarely, do I get an "apron update" from a customer, but today I did! A while back Cristina asked if I could make a matching mother-daughter apron set out of this fabric. I replied, "Yes!" and was off to my sewing machine like a super hero sent to save the day. After a few adjustments, all was right and the apron was sent and received. Today, I received an "apron update" from Cristina telling me how she and her daughter love wearing their matching aprons while hard at work in the kitchen. How thrilling it is to know that I had a small part in memories that will be treasured forever!

SAME STYLE, MORE CHANGES

This apron style is destined to be a favorite. It has everything an apron-wearer wants. It easily adjusts to fit almost all body sizes, it covers up your clothes, plus it looks great. Since this fabric lends itself to a more romantic look, it was natural to add a wavy hem. This hem idea actually comes from the love affair I have with my wave edge ruler. While I didn't actually use the wave edge ruler to create this hem, it was the inspiration! My "excess is never enough" lil' self is always wanting to over-embellish things. A wavy edge to an apron satisfies this side of me.


See the difference a new hemline makes. The bright pink rick rack makes one apron fun and flirty. The bold colors add a shot of whimsey. On the right, the soft color palette and wavy hem give the apron on the right a feminine romantic look. Both are made from the same pattern, but they are completely different aprons!

CHANGING IT UP A BIT

Where aprons are concerned, rick rack is always appropriate. My favorite rick rack to work with is this super-sized jumbo. It instantly changes any apron when added in small doses. I think it works perfectly on the hem in this apron adding a real pop color and sass. More pictures of this are posted in my Etsy store.

MODERN CHIC APRON

I have been fiddling with this apron for some time trying to perfect the design and I am now confident that I have gotten it right. I love this empire style in an apron. It is practical because it protects your clothing and it will easily fit many sizes. Best of all - it's just plain cute!

When I looked at some of the available patterns with empire waists they all had elements I liked and disliked. Most common was the lining. I live in Central Texas and wearing a lined apron over your clothes is just too darn hot! Not to mention the additional cost and time of adding a lining. So, no lining.

The next issue was the bodice. How to make this bodice fit many sizes but still be practical to sew for resale. Then it hit me while browsing the Amy Butler free pattern site, why not make it tie at the neck - halter style!

Finally, I wanted the skirt to be something that could be reworked into different styles with only a few changes. So there you have it, a practical and pretty apron that will fit most women.

NEW BLOG FOCUS

I started this blog a while back as a way to post ideas about homemaking and similar ideas. Well, that never happened. I've been too busy in my sewing studio creating and sewing aprons for my Etsy site. So, I've decided to make the focus of this blog complement my Etsy store and tell (as the late Paul Harvey would say) 'the rest of the story.'

Each apron I make is unique and has a story. My designs are my own and they also have a story. Where did the idea for the design originate? Why did I put this fabric with that design? So on and so forth...

The best ingredient I add to all of my aprons is quality. Quality, not for the sake of perfection, but for the sake of heritage. I love the idea that a mom somewhere will pass down to her daughter (or daughter-in-law) a faded and worn apron that I've created. It's not actually the apron that will be shared but what the apron represents: memories made while wearing the apron. When I am sewing an apron, I actually ponder who will one day wear this apron and what story will this apron tell!

So, a new day begins and with it, new aprons! I am off to my studio to create something that will be cherished for generations!