Christmas Bells and Gingham

When I got out the Christmas decorations it remined me that I had picked up a couple aprons at an estate sale in the fall. And one was a Christmas apron! I love the bells on it!

Large bells and tiny bells...… It is a little hard to see the seam, but it has a curved pocket. I love discovering all the small details!

The other two aprons are gingham and well loved with quite a bit of staining. I couldn't decide between the two, so decided I needed both!

I don't think I have ever seen ties sewn this way before. So easy to sew and a nice touch!

Such simple embroidery on the pocket, waistband and hem, but so cute!

Someone really took a lot of time and care making these aprons. There is even handsewn decorative rick-rack on the ties!

I love the use of the two sizes of rick-rack! 

Are you getting ready to tie those aprons on? I have a few things that need to be baked last minute and I think it will be fun to the Christmas bells apron!

Apple Picking Aprons

We went Apple Picking several weeks ago (in blazing hot, very un-fall like weather!). Sometimes apple time seems to sneak up on us and we end up dashing out last minute to see which apple varieties are still hanging on the trees. But this year we were prepared! I even had time to make myself an apple picking apron!

Even in hot weather, the trees are beautiful.

I posted about this apron pattern here. It is from the booklet Dresses and Aprons for Work in the Home, copyright 1952. This apron has been on my to-do list for years!

I followed the directions except to cut out the apron skirt in two pieces. This allowed me to line the bottom section with a sturdy drill and to sew the bottom apple fabric the other way around so that when gathered up, the pretty side would be facing out. 

I wasn't sure if the strings to gather were very necessary at first, I would just unloaded the apples one at a time, but when picking was over it was nice to be able to untie it and brush out all the leaves and dirt! 

 With the leftover fabric, I squeezed out a small apron for my niece too. She was so ecstatic to have her own apron. She loves apple picking almost as much as I do!

Now that the weather is cooler and a rainy weekend is forecasted, it is time to start applesauce and apple butter making!

Applesauce and Aprons

Some years we dream of apple pies, some years dried apples, sometimes the dream is just fresh crunchy apples. This year we were dreaming of warm applesauce and spicy apple butter!

As fast as we could get the apples home, the apple peeler and stock pot came out.

In no time at all we had a pot full of sliced apples! 

 Making the whole process speedy was our old fashioned apple peeler. Not a vintage model, this is an updated version that suctions to the table. But the apples are still peeled, cored and sliced the same way, by a hand crank!

 When it comes to fruit prep, I always like to grab an apron that envelops. My favorite is an apron I made years ago from my great-grandma  Anna's apron. It is super soft from many washings, a bit wrinkly from being stored in the linen closet and there are stains along the edge, but it is a part of making and baking for me.

Unfortunately, I neglected to get a photo of the finished product. But let me tell you, it was as good as we had been anticipating!! Now the dream is to fill a corner in the freezer with a small stash for winter.

Mrs. Santa Claus (Apron)

Are you doing a bit of  cookie baking? Here is an apron that will put in the Christmas spirit!

I don't usually go for Santa fabric, but this was so cheerful and vintage looking! (found at JoAnn Fabrics) At first I didn't know what to make with the fabric, but when an apron was suggested I knew that was what it needed to be! (Why didn't I think of that at first?)

 I melded together two 1940's apron patterns. The skirt portion from one book and the bib from another. This one just needed a bib! Besides, how can you not get messy making cookies?

 A little bit of subtle rick-rack to outline the pockets and bib. I tried binding at first it was not so subtle.....

 In January I will share the pattern. I wasn't completely happy with the way this one turned out, a few adjustments and it will be good.

I love the way the skirt curves, adds a bit of pizzazz, doesn't it?