In the Pink!

Now that I'm finished with my project for Outstanding Occasions I am ready to tackle my stash and replenish my stock because Mother's Day left my Etsy store a wee bit sparse. Before I just jump in and begin sewing I like to have a direction. Something has to inspire me enough to add it into the fabric of an apron (pun actually intended!) Sometimes I am inspired by everyday things that surround me or emotional things that impose themselves upon me.


So, the other day when I stepped into my studio I noticed something about my fabric stash; I had an uncommon amount of pink! That's easy! Make a pink apron and whittle away at the pink fabric stash. Just one problem...I wasn't really motivated by anything! Well, no sewing is happening here today; instead, I pick up my latest copy of Southern Living and decide to look for inspiration. There it was, a small blurb on p. 134, "Pink can be ultra sweet when paired with other pastels. But combine this shade with browns and neutrals and you'll have a sophistcated, grown-up palate."

That was all I needed, all of the sudden my stash of pink fabric reminded me less of Pepto Bismol and more of something chic. I was off to sew and the aprons and towels in this post are my results.

Outstanding Proposition

I love a good project. As a matter of fact my husband and I have tackled (and survived) some pretty big projects. One that comes to mind is gutting and redoing two bathrooms in a 50 year old house. Even better was when we refinished 50 year old wood floors - one room at a time! All that to say, I am not afraid to take on something abstract; I even find it a bit exhilerating!

When Heather from Outstanding Occasions in Phoenix emailed me about making a few aprons for her business, I was thrilled. It wasn't like I was without aprons to sew; I have a pretty big stash of fabric that eagerly awaits. The appeal comes from trying to take someone's vision and turn it into a reality. The picture below of the cute striped aprons was Outstanding Occasions' vision. Through numerous emails and a phone call I was able to see what it was they wanted and how to apply that to the three fabrics that they sent me.


This is my interpretation.


And these are all of the finished aprons!

So, another fun project is completed; however, this time I didn't get beaned by a crow bar nor did my husband get his head stuck between two studs. All in all, I'm calling this project a success!

Ready, Set, Go!

Long, long ago in a distant city I had a different job. I actually sold skin care and cosmetics for a company called BeautiControl. At the time it was the perfect job because it allowed me the flexibility to homeschool my girls and still earn an income. It was also really fun and I learned a whole lot about marketing and customer service. Those lessons I learned long ago now apply to my Etsy store.

One particular method that I used when showing my BeautiControl products was putting everything a woman would need into a set and selling it at a slightly reduced price. This idea has been rattling around my head for a week or two, so, the other day I decided to make a Kitchen Set. While I'm still listing these items in my store as separate, I wanted to put together something that could become a set. If I ever get caught up, I'd like to list a few things in a set and sell them this way. I'll keep working on this idea, but I think the Kitchen Set would be just perfect for a wedding shower gift!

On a completely different topic, but still talking about the same aprons...

I have decided to make my brand new deck the new place to take pictures of my aprons for posting on Etsy. I love the deck's height and the ability to see over the fence. I also love the light that is filtered through the huge oak tree. I think all of these features will give my pictures more interest! Compared to where I was taking my pictures (a blank bedroom wall), this setting has viewer appeal.

Shaken, not stirred...one olive, please!

A lot of the aprons I make for my Etsy shop have two fabric combinations. I have found that combining coordinating fabrics usually makes an apron fun and flirty. Add in a few trims like bias tape or rickrack and it's fun to sew and fun to wear! This apron sewing philosophy can be seen clearly in the picture above.

However, I occasionally like to stray from the everyday and make an apron out of a single fabric. When using only one fabric with limited embellishment the whole fabric pattern seems to flow, giving the apron a dress-like quality. I also think it emphasizes the vintage or retro look of a particular apron. The Amy Butler Martini Dot fabric above is perfect for this type of apron. The cascading martini dots emphasize the continuous flow of the pattern while effortlessly blending the bib into the skirt. All in all, I think this is the perfect party hostess apron! An apron like this will likely have many tales to tell.

Sew Much Fun!

I recently heard a sewing friend say, "We used to sew to save money; now we save money to sew!" When it comes to sewing, nothing could be more true. Last year when I was looking to replace my 30+ year old Kenmore sewing machine, I was flabberghasted by the cost of a sewing machines. I was looking for something that sewed well AND could embroider. With little knowledge and a wad of cash I plunked down over $1,000 for a Baby Lock Ellure. I have been extremely happy with my new machine, but have come to realize that I underpurchased!

Therefore, I have found it necessary to look again for a backup machine. Since I have a business that requires I have a working sewing machine, this seemed like a good business decision. So, off I went to the sewing store with a LOT more knowledge and another wad of cash! The result is what you see above and below...a lovely Bernina Activa 240 in all its wonder and glory.
While I am completly thrilled with my sewing lineup, the sad truth is that these machines are very basic! Don't get me wrong, all of my machines are not actually sewing machines, they are referred to in the literature as sewing computers. I guess this is why they can charge so much! The real challenge, however, is going to be in my ability to translate the features of these machines into something creative. This will require knowing the ins and outs of the machine as well as how to creatively apply that knowledge. So, Monday morning I will be spending a few hours getting acquainted with my new machine by someone who already has mastered the basics.

As a post script, I want to add the following: the cost of the top of the line Baby Lock sewing/embroidery machine is $10,000 and the Bernina counterpoint is $12,000! Imagine that!

If Grandma had a serger...

Ever since getting a peek at EllynAnne Geisel's latest book about retro kitchen linens, I have wanted to embroider some floursack kitchen towels. The vintage hand-embroidered floursack towels from the the early and mid-20th century take me staight back to my grandmother's kitchens. Since both grandmothers were accomplished with sewing and needlework, I'm sure that the towels in their kitchens were personally hand embroidered.

When I came across these teapot embroidery designs, I knew they were something I would love. Rather than a satin embroidery stitch, they are done in a chunky stitch that actually resembles hand embroidery. The designs have that perfect blend of nostalgia and retro. These towels could've come straight out of a drawer in either of my grandmother's kitchen!

Now, I am all for holding onto the old ways, but really, if Grandma had owned a serger or embroidery sewing machine she would've used it. Personally, I am fortunate enough to own both of these machines and spend untold hours in my studio creating fun things I love for my Etsy store. I am sure both of my grandmother's are smiling down on me and saying, "What a clever girl she is!"