Drafting the Apron Pattern

Think of this as part #2 from the previous post. The apron found among my mother's scrap bins has provided itself for drafting purposes. I drew up and cut out an apron to be what I thought was an exact replica. It all went together well. Before I added the buttonholes I decided to try it on. The fit seemed good, and I liked the length. Mr. Goodneedle thought it looked like a throw-back jumper to the 1970's! Ha, little does he remember, I never wore my skirts that long back then!

It looks good from the back too-- right? NO!! When I look over my shoulder all I can see are wings!

I really don't like that "flare" from the side. That's when I remembered the additional seam in the original apron that I chose to omit. I figured that Aunt Lizzie put a seam there to conserve on fabric. No, it is actually a shaping seam. I laid them both on the cutting table, side by side, and finger-folded in the seam; this should make all the difference!

And so, the apron drafting continues! In other news these past few days~

I have completed the quilting on two Quilts of Valor

and on a customer quilt.

My volunteer postion as church secretary sees me (us!) seated here on Mondays composing the church bulletin, the monthly newsletter and any other correspondence that the church needs accomplished. Hannes likes Mondays, helping Mom get her work done. 

Tomorrow I leave on a weekend quilting retreat with my friends. This year I decided to pre-cut everything I need to place those long-ago back-burnered projects up front. The Dogs in Sweaters quilt will be first. I have pre-cut everything that I need to simply sit and sew. That's a LOT of ziploc bags in that bin; all numbered, lettered and sorted. I hope to make excellent progress.

The second project that I have WANTED to do forever is the jelly roll rug. I have all the components ready including miles and miles of rotary cut batting!

But, for tonight, I have a few kitchen tasks to attend to. Should I wear my new apron for them?

Maybe I should! Oh, yes, my friends! It's strawberry season once again in North Carolina. 

Picked today, just down the road.

Life is Good!

Berry, berry good...

Hidden Treasures

I love aprons; I wear them all the time. Normally I wear a bib-style style apron that loops behind my neck and ties behind my waist.
I have made many of these over the years and have tried out different patterns for similar bib-style aprons.

I found this apron, pictured, in a box of my Mom's fabric this week, she brought it to me after she had cleaned out her sewing space last fall and I promised her that I would make good use of the long-collected fabrics. I had forgotten  about the apron, tucked neatly inside the box. This treasure is old, well-worn and made from flour sack fabric that is now as soft as a tissue; it is completely hand made, even the button holes.

My mother says it was made by her Aunt Lizzie. She remembers, as a small child, going to Aunt Lizzie's home and sitting on the horsehair sofa and looking at her family Bible. Aunt Lizzie was a skilled seamstress; my mother also remembers being served toast with mustard during these visits. 😝 Apparently, Aunt Lizzie's sewing talents didn't crossover into the kitchen.

It has a split-T back and buttons at the side waist. It is small. I can wear it but it would be much more comfortable if that strip at the back waist were lengthened and the buttons moved out just a bit.

I just love this style, there are no straps to slip and it provides good coverage, as any apron worth its weight in fabric should!  I can even see this being made adjustable, with two buttoning positions on each side, as needed. I am working on drafting a pattern from this beauty to see what I can come up with.  I might just have some strawberry print from which to try the pattern out. I could also make smaller versions for the granddaughters.

Stay tuned, we'll see how this goes first. In the meantime, this fragile but lovely apron from the past will be saved and admired; a testament to a tried-and-true style and some dedicated, yet delicate, hand stitching. 

Life is Good!

Aprons!

The program for the upcoming guild meeting was listed like this: EllynAnne Geisel - The Apron Lady - Apron Challenge - just wear an apron. OK. Can do. I wear aprons, oh yes, and they look like it! My aprons are worn to the point of looking worn out. They're not suitable for wearing out, if you understand; I'm sure you do! I decided to make a new one for the meeting, and it needed to say something. Over one hundred ladies gathered last evening, wearing aprons old and new. Some aprons had touching, poignant stories. EllynAnne explained that an apron, rather than being a symbol of domesticity that holds women back should be thought of as a vehicle that takes women back. A simple apron can connect us with another time, with a fondly remembered loved one, with precious memories. How many other memories are so tangible that we can simply slip them over our heads or tie them around our waists and be instantly transported? Click on the link above to visit EllynAnne's website, she has gathered a wealth of apron knowledge and is eager to share. Before we disbanded, Nane posed for this photo wearing a family apron that belonged to either her mother or her grandmother, what a treasure!

Life is Good!