New Apron Finds!

Lately, it has been a bonanza of  apron finds! In the last two weeks I have ended up with almost a dozen! Today, I am going to share eight with you as I have already gifted a few. Since it is summer, and all the aprons smelled of moth balls, a photo shoot on the clothesline seemed very fitting!

 The majority of the aprons came from an estate sale. The lady was a seamstress and amazing embroiderer.

 This one needs a little help. I didn't notice if I bought it with a rip or if it happened in the wash. (Have you ever tried to remove the smell of moth balls from fabric? It likes to linger...) Surely, I can think of something creative to hide/fix it.

I love all the sweet details.

This striped one isn't my favorite. I think I need to pass it on to someone that can appreciated it more!

But the construction is marvelous! I think I might even have a similar pattern. And as always, the attention to detail is perfect. Ric-Rac around the edge, french seams and a notched waistband.

 This is a cheery little gem! I think Mandy might adopt it, as she loves red.

More details; a horizontal piece of fabric for the hem creating a lovely stripe. Stripes also on the pocket and waistband.

 A sweet little dotted swiss apron. This one looks commercially made for a costume as it has embroidered straps.

I love textured fabric! And the bitty lace edging is the perfect accent.

 This one I picked up at an antique store, I fell in love with the fabric!

How could I resist fruit clocks?

 How much more classic can you get then blue gingham? This apron was meticulously hand sewn.

 I had to add an extra picture of the embroidery, it is so exquisite.

 Here is another cute frilly apron with white eyelet.

Love this fabric! I wonder if it was scraps from a project, as it is pieced in several places. Perhaps leftovers from a shirt dress?

 A printed fabric apron with large pockets. Don't they look practical? I love the size.

Finished- Flannel Robe

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and New Year! I didn't mean to fall off the blogging map..... But you know how it goes, your schedule gets turned upside down, the mad rush to get ready for Christmas, then the mad rush to tidy up after Christmas and get ready for New Year's, add to that a bit of the flu and visits from friends and family. (Unfortunately, I didn't manage to get any work done on my house.) But I am back on track now and excited to share with you all my finished flannel robe! Do you remember my first post about it The New Winter Lounge Wear Look way back in August? Only took me four months to finish, guess I knew what I was doing starting it then!

I love my buttons! Surprisingly they get lost in the roses, but I still like them. They are covered with the contrasting/lining flannel. I worked the buttonholes by hand as I had to go through four layers of fabric and two layers of batting. The pattern was designed with the facing and front cut as one, with the facing just folded back when finished. I didn't think about all the layers until I got to the buttonholes......

 I think the robe is wearing my dress form! It is so thick it almost stands up by itself. Don't you think it looks very Partridge Family/ Doris Day? Which is exactly what I was going for!

The inside seams I decided to tack down by hand using a herringbone stitch to make it less bulky and to help with the fraying. I also used bias binding on outside edges, like the sleeves, collar and hem. There was no way I was going to be able to hem it traditionally!

And here I am lounging in my new robe! The sleeves ended up a wee bit shorter then I expected, but that is the only thing I would have changed.

 

The New Winter Lounge-wear Look

I don't usually like to share my sewing projects until they are finished. One never knows what might happen, it might just take a long time, it might not turn out like you planned and you wouldn't be caught dead in it, it might need a bit of something else(what else you are not sure?), so you look at for  few weeks until comes to you. See there are a lot of things! But I am so excited about this one that I had to share! It has been in the making for a long time! Ask the family, I have been talking about this for a year! I just couldn't find the perfect fabric. I knew I wanted quilted, but flannel or not flannel? And I almost fainted when I saw the price of pre-quilted fabric!!

So here is what I am making! A 1960s quilted flannel robe. Not sure why I am making it in the hottest part of summer! Wishful thinking?! I am using the pattern on the left, but have decided to make it look more like the pattern on the right with contrasting binding and collar.

I finally found the perfect fabric! On sale too! The minute I saw it, I knew it was going to be perfect for my robe. It has that just right retro-kitchy feel to it, besides being Pink and roses!

 I cut the pattern out of the top fabric(roses) then layered the batting and bottom fabric(solid pink), pinned it in place and cut it into sections. I didn't want to cut both layers out because of stretching and slipping of the fabric while quilting. I am about half way done quilting the pieces. I will certainly let you know when it is complete. Hopefully before it gets cold!

It is so thick, it will be like wearing a blanket!!

A Few Apron Patterns

I haven't post a little apron inspiration in awhile. So here is a bit of the 60s! I think I have been watching too much Partridge Family and Mary Tyler Moore! Lol!

 Smocking and gingham-both extremely popular. It has a nice fresh look to it. 1963.

 This one 1964. What do you think of the collar version?!

 This one is my favorite! A 1967 twist on the classic chef apron.

This is a bit different. Looks kind of like a bib to me, but love the colors! From 1968.

McCall's Party Apron

My great aunt gave me the pattern for this apron years ago. Not until recently did I discover this ad on the internet. Designer Luis Estevez and the Quaker Oat Company teamed up to put out this promotional in 1967. It came free in your box of Quaker Oats cereal.

I love the poka-dots, would love to make one with fabric like it!

My version, not the best of pictures and not the best of fabric choices. What one doesn't see clearly in the advertisement above, is the waist ruffle is actually shaped on the ends to merge into the waistband, which I think is a charming feature. And it also adds more coverage to the waist area.

An interesting piece of history, don't you think?

Newest Apron Patterns

Here are a few apron patterns that have recently joined my collection. These are so cute! I can't wait to make them up!! I already have plans!! (but first I have to finish a few projects that are in progress!)

First off (top) we have a 1950s cobbler style apron, that could also be used as a beach cover up! Very ingenious! The ties are sewn into a front dart and can then be tied in back to fit. I already have a fabulous fabric picked out for it! Pink dahlias!

This was a present from my sister. A reprint of a sewing booklet put out by the White Sewing Machine Co in 1940! The apron on the cover is also on my list! The star is actually a pocket!

I love love this one! I am going to keep my eye out for pink fabric like that! I like all the options. Two yokes and two skirt options. Also an applique pattern for the pocket! I have a sister who would adore one with flower pockets in yellow!! 1960s

One of my favorite eras! 1940s! Of course I love the 30s and the 50s and the 20s too! But I think 40s are a bit more on the top of the list! This is just a cute cute apron! Look at all the details! And my pattern came with the embroidery transfer too. Of course this is also on my list!

I am hoping in the next couple of weeks to make a few of these. So be looking for posts about them!