jane's apron

vintage embroidery kits

 

This 'sewing apron' is the needlework kit that was sitting next to the table runners that inspired me to sew this craft apron...the one with the tape measure sewn upside down so you can lift the bottom of your apron to measure something.   I have purchased a new sewing machine (more on that later) and have been working on a tutorial (more on that later too).   I love this kit because, as the package says, it's "ready-sewn".   All I have to do is attach the tape measure, pin cushion, and scissor loops.   And embroider the bottom...but I can do that. 

 

Packaged with the sewing apron was this kit for a holiday panel...a 20x49 table runner. The kit is called "White Christmas" and it's a cute winter town scene complete with a snowman.  Check out the Glo-Met gold embroidery floss...which describes MYLAR as "DuPont's Reg. Trademark for its Polyester Film"...so space age.  As much as I'd like to think I will make this kit, it would be much better off at the home of someone that loves to embroider.  

I have created a holiday section in my etsy shop and will add this kit today.  The holiday shop has my postcards, some cute new patchwork clipboards, and the coolest striped ribbon ever.  I may add more items as inspiration strikes but plan to close that section of my shop on December 6th.  I don't know how to describe it but holiday ideas and magazines kind of stress me out as the middle of December hits...I have learned to get rid of any holiday catalogs and put away any books or magazines because they can bring on a "Oh, I should have done that!" panic which I try to avoid.  How's that for a nutty explanation...but it can't just be me...right?

 

craft apron giveaway

I ran into an estate sale by chance last Saturday when my oldest son had an early morning soccer practice.  The sale was from a "dealer" that was moving...high prices sent me right to the basement (my favorite estate sale room).  I found a vintage sewing apron kit.  The kit called for the cutest idea...sewing a tape measure upside down on the edge of the bottom of the apron.  You could then lift up the edge of your apron to measure something.  I put the apron kit in my "to be processed" file (the top of my dining room buffet).   Also on the top of my dining room buffet were two table runners that I had recently thrifted. The table runners were made from a printed canvas panel with a cute heart and bird and fake blanket stitching.   Inspired by the sewing apron next to them, I had an idea to make them into craft aprons.  One for me...and one for a blog friend.  

The front of the apron has two large pockets, a wide twill tape waist and ties, and a twill tape measure sewn onto the bottom.   The vintage apron had a loop for keeping your scissors but I really don't think walking around with a pair of scissors tied to your waist is a great idea...I made a small loop to hold my bifocals. 

Leave a comment on this post and I'll pick a winner on Friday afternoon!  

...I'm a little late (helping set up for 8th grade "fright night") but have a winner for the craft apron.  I am AMAZED that I had almost 100 comments!  Things are crazy around here but I plan to make it to each and every new blog on the list.  And I will definitely create a tutorial for the apron.  The winner is....

Elissa at Birch Swinging (yippee!)

Thanks for all of the great input about a new sewing machine.  I'm going to test drive a few this week.  Once I get it, I plan to create a tutorial for making the craft apron from scratch (not starting with a thrifted table runner).   I also have to let you know that, as I write this post, the washing machine repair guy is here....why, oh why, does one appliance like to break down when you consider buying something new?

 

apron mystery - solved

 

No...the mystery is not why I didn't iron the apron before taking a picture of it (nor is it why the little pink thrift store sells aprons for $0.25...or why that makes me feel so guilty).  The mystery here is the buttons and button holes.  The apron has a button on each side of the waistband and a button hole at the top of the pockets.  I don't see how these are supposed to go together.  Any apron experts out there have any ideas?

I think the mystery is solved and I can't believe it...the apron turns into a bonnet.  Yes, a bonnet.  The best clue is that the backside of the pocket section is also finished with the little yellow rick-rack. I tried on the bonnet...and no photos will be taken...ever.  Thanks everybody!  Next up, I may ask for some help on the weirdest round embroidered linen thing I found.

And I had to share this apron idea (from Country Home I think)...love the apron as storage.

 

vintage apron swap

I signed up for the vintage apron swap hosted by Sarah last month.  The best part of a swap is finding a new blog...and a new blogger.  My partner was Chris from pink picket fence...a fellow Missouri girl and vintage apron lover.  Of course I've got lots of favorite blogs but Chris' blog is my new favorite...her sense of style is perfect and her photos...sigh.   Chris sent me the embroidered "siesta" apron that I'll wear when making my idiot margaritas.
 
She also broke the "one apron" rules and sent the cute black & white one.  It has a seam down the front and is the cutest style...I'm going to make a pattern from it and try to sew one.  Thanks Chris!

Ok...I try to be flexible with new stuff but this new typepad compose feature is driving me crazy.  I'm working in firefox so that may be the problem but putting in a link is from hell.  And yesterday I did my entire post, hit save, got an error message...and completely lost my post.  And what's with spell checker? My next post may just be  pictures...

thanks sew much

My milestone 200th post was my previous post.  Oh well...any post is a good reason to thank everybody with a little celebration giveaway.

I received a few copies of "Apronisms - Pocket Wisdom for Every Day" from EllynAnne Geisel.  EllynAnne sent them as a thank you for contributing a vintage linen story to her new book.  About the same time the books arrived, I scored a big group of aprons with pockets at my thrift store.  I'd love to give a copy of the sweet little book along with an apron to one of my blog friends.  I don't think the apron is vintage but it is handmade and really cute.

I also have new postcards from my latest collage and added the phrase "thanks sew much".  Using the word "sew" is still making me smile...but I'm easily entertained.  And so thankful again for how far this little blog has taken me.

Now, I love giveaways but don't like the wait...so I'll pick a winner for the apron and book and 2 more winners for a set of postcards tomorrow afternoon and update this post.

Just leave a comment and you're entered.  Do you have an "apronism" or momism to share?  The only one I can think of comes after a big garbage disposal repair last night...."If you see a quarter go down the disposal, tell Mom".

update...

liz (mabel's house) has won the apron and book

goody-goody and sally have won the postcards

Thanks again everybody!

my new kitchen corner

I recently updated a little corner of my kitchen.  I have had the flower hooks since I was in high school...truly amazing for a girl that tires so easily of stuff.  They followed me to college, to my first apartment, to my daughter's room, and now my kitchen.   My Mom is always telling me that I need to display my aprons so I guess this counts. 

The teeny tiny book on the shelf is from EllynAnne Geisel and is called Apronisms - Pocket Wisdom for Every Day.  I have a couple of these cute books and picked up a few aprons with pockets at my thrift store...I feel a blog giveaway in the making.

valentine apron giveaway

I really didn't have any plans for a giveaway anytime soon but when I found these cute aprons at my thrift store on Wednesday (it was half-off-day...so I bought them for $1 each) I just wanted to share.  The red gingham apron on top doesn't have a "handmade by Margie" tag but I'm pretty sure this one is from Margie because the material and stitching on the ric-rak are very similar to these.

I have to admit that giveaways kind of stress me out so I'm going to make this a short one...I'll draw a name on Monday morning so just leave a comment before then and the little red apron will be on its way.   No guidelines for the comments but if you have an idea on how to photograph aprons, I'd love to hear it.  I used to put an apron on my daughter and take a picture of her ( like this ) but after the first 2 or 3 times she decided she had enough of that.

If your are shopping for a special valentine, I have cute kits to make this heart...right here (shipping is free!)  Purchase the heart kit before Monday and I'll put your name in the hat for the valentine apron giveaway...twice.

Today is my son Ross's birthday and he has received the ultimate kid birthday gift...a snow day!

Have a good weekend everyone and I'll be mailing one of you an apron on Monday.

margie

I picked up two expertly crafted vintage aprons at my thrift store last week (what is that diamond-shaped stitching...a kind of smocking?).  The best part is the label sewn on the inside..."HAND MADE BY Margie".  You gotta love a name like Margie...a classic 1940's name...but still so cute. 

I recently was getting ready to meet some friends from college and my daughter asked my friends' names.  "Well, there's Linda, Kathy, Karen..." I said.  Ellen thought about it for a second and said "Those are weird names".   I thought this was so funny.  I guess when you are 6 and go to school with kids named Hannah, Ava, Fiona...and even Parker and Carter, those classic 1960s names must sound pretty funky.  Lisa? Kim? Julie?...classic 1960's names...now seen as "weird".

my first

My husband and I were engaged in the fall of 1988 and that Christmas my mother-in-law-to-be gave me this handmade holiday apron.   The look on John's face was pretty much "omg, my mom just gave Julie an apron...this is going to turn out badly".  He tried to explain later that his mom was old and didn't know any better.  All I really thought was "Cool...I'll wear this when I make cookies this year".  I saw it as a completely practical thing. It never even crossed my mind that an apron had any negative connotations. It wasn't long after getting this first apron that I started finding aprons at estate sales and then at my favorite thrift store. 

Now, nearly 20 years later, you would think that my apron collection is ginormous.  But it's not.  I think I have about 30 or so.  I don't really feel like my aprons are a "collection" but rather I still look at them as practical...really, really cute...but useful.

If you have an apron lover on your Christmas list or would like to treat yourself, The Apron Book by EllynAnne Geisel would make someone very happy.  I finally have my own copy (I learned from Genevieve on Trading Spaces to always remove the dust covers from your books...doesn't The Apron Book have the cutest cover?).  One of my favorite ideas from the book is to create a patchwork apron from a child's old dresses...might just try that one.   

anthropologie philosophy

I love Anthropologie...it's like walking into a killer estate sale (with much, much higher prices).  It's a little shocking for a thrifty girl like me to find a cute cocktail glass and see that it's $8.00 instead of my usual $0.80.  Despite the sticker shock, I've come to the conclusion that, for me, Anthropologie is like a "cheater's" thrift store....all of the cute stuff without the junk, smelliness, and other general unpleasantries.  But, sometimes I'm a big cheater.  My Mom gave me a gift certificate for Christmas last year and I recently found this apron.  It has a cute vintage-y orange fabric for the neck and apron strings.  And it's really, really soft and worn...like it's not brand new.   

Last year at Thanksgiving, I grabbed a bunch of aprons and brought them so all of the girls had an apron to wear while cooking.  When I found the cool orange and brown fabric this summer I thought I'd make a new one for me for this Thanksgiving.