Birthday gifts for Special Little People

A crayon roll and coloring books for little Miss Emily...

Per Mom's advice, I made one for Emily, one for Elliot (someday), and one to put in my etsy shop. Wouldn't it be fun to be a kid again and have one of these for your very own? I still love crayons, and using brand new crayons is one of the best feelings in the world. I was so excited to have a few crayons extra after filling these rolls. Anyone want to color with me?

Next is an apron and matching potholder for one of Justin's little sisters. The colors in this picture are a little off. The pink is much pinker. I designed and cut out the pattern (inspired from a picture of an apron in my Mary Jane's Stitching Room book), sewed the apron, and then re-sewed it (after I realized I'd made it too big), and sewed up the potholder all in one evening. Justin was so nice to watch Elliot and let me sew like a crazy lady.

Finally, I just finished a receiving blanket. This was the first time I'd done one with such chunky thread, but it was fun, and I thought it ended up really cute.

Hugs,
Jessica

Three Vintage Apron Patterns

Here are a 3 vintage apron patterns that were in the box of patterns one of our readers sent to us. We love vintage aprons...they are so inspiring!

The pattern on the top right is copyrighted 1966. The view on the left is designed for vinyl coated fabrics. It's shown made from a clear vinyl...I think it would be pretty funny to have a see-through apron! I really like the other view though...it looks very practical.

The pattern on the bottom right is very old...1940s or 50s I'm guessing. It is missing the envelope, and the pattern pices are not marked with lines... just stamped with a number to differentiate them. These are really sweet, feminine aprons for girly girls like me!

The apron pattern in the middle is just a pretty traditional, gathered half apron. I thought the different appliques were neat. An apron for serving tea, an apron for gardening, an apron for Valentine's day, and lastly an apron for sewing. How much fun!

Cheers, Jessica

Catching Up

Thank you all for your positive comments about the new blog look. I agree with you that Katie has done a fabulous job, and I know she is greatly encouraged by your kind words. Not only did Katie do all the html computer techie stuff, but she actually went through my fabric stash and took many pictures trying to get just the one perfect photo. I was amazed at the result-- piles of fabric that ended up looking like bolts of fabric in the picture. Can you pick out the 4 Amy Butler fabrics in the blog header?

In case you've wondered where Jessica is, she has been having computer problems and can't post. She has been busy sewing her bridesmaid dress for Bonny's wedding. It only lacks the hem, but I helped pin that in place so she can finish it. The dress looks beautiful, and I hope Jessica will post pictures eventually.

I have taken some time in the past week to do some sewing as well. Heather wanted an old favorite skirt copied, so I tried my hand at that. It came out quite well, and Heather wore it today. I was pleased, because normally I do not like to sew anything without a pattern. The skirt was simple enough, however, and it went together easily. Pictures to come....

Life has been busy. Summer is quickly fading and school will be starting soon. I must begin focusing on school preparations and less time on computers and sewing. My goal is to get all the links at the top of the blog working soon so that the blog can be "finished" (until the next revision, ha ha). Once that is done I won't have to spend so much time on the computer, right?

One more thing.... Remember the vintage apron pattern I posted about earlier? I sent it to my sister-in-law, and she made an apron! Doesn't it look wonderful? Patsy said that the directions were not very clear, but I think her apron is great. I just love vintage-looking aprons! We have been watching old Walton shows and I decided that I must make an apron like Mrs. Walton's.


Again, thanks for all the comments on the last post. It is nice to see some new names and make some new friends in the process.

Ruth

Apron Inspirations

Not that we really need any more apron patterns, but I have enjoyed drooling over these adorable apron patterns at the Paisley Pincushion. They are so sweet.

I particularly like the "shopkeeper apron" and the "busy bias apron". Sigh...I still need to finish the two aprons hanging around in my sewing room...

Jessica

Cheery Cherry Apron

Every woman needs at least one apron even if she never wears it. An apron with cherries on it would be particularly fitting for a certain somebody who never wears aprons but might wear one during cherry season (if she had one). With that in mind, I just had to make a cherry-topped apron for this special person---you know who you are. :-)

Since cherries can be so messy to work with, I thought this style of apron would provide a good cover-up. I made the same pattern as Jessica's apron and the same view, but I did not put the ties on. I did lower the neckline by several inches, but I think it needs scooped even more. The apron went together easily enough and I plan to make it again. I'm glad that Jessica challenged me to make an apron, and I think now I need to challenge her to finish the one she started. :-)
Ruth

Aprons and Giggles

Katie came and visited me this last Tuesday and Wednesday. We had so much fun visiting, cooking, shopping....and sewing!

She is making an adorable apron using the same pattern as I am, except that it is View E. Her fabrics are bright citrus oranges and pinks. I think that she is going to look like a darling little grapfruit!


Here she is cutting the apron out....we were getting a little silly. =)

Right now I use canned goods for pattern weights... in case you were wondering. Tomato sauce seems to work well!
I can't wait to see the finished apron, Katie!

Love, Jessica

Vintage Aprons

I was looking through my files of sewing-related papers when I came across an envelope with this pattern for "An Apron With A Bib." It is from the September, 1963 issue of Woman's Day magazine. That's the year I was born. Pretty neat, don't you think?

Jessica, I may just use this pattern for my apron of your "apron challenge." It looks like all the instructions and pattern sheets are here. Now to find some 1963-ish fabric to use for the apron....

Ruth

Apron Challenge

My first sewing project in my new sewing room!

Simplicity 4282. I am making the apron in the top left corner (view C in the picture below). I need something that covers my front, because I am a really messy cook, but I also like the short blue one on the right side and hope to make it someday too.


My main fabric is the green retro print below. I'm using the yellow mustard print to bind the edges with. I don't like pre-made bias binding--it's much more fun (and much more work!) to make it to coordinate with my fabric.

I've been working on it on and off for awhile now, and it's really almost done. Finished project pictures will be soon!


Mom, you asked for it... this is an Apron Sewing Challenge! I'm also inviting KT and anyone else who reads this to sew an apron!

Retro aprons are so cute, fun to wear, and still very useful in today's world. Comment with your link if you are sewing an apron right now, and if you want to take this challenge and sew one up, please send me your pictures and we will post them here!

Jessica