Saturday, October 29, 2011

Apron happiness

Aprons make me happy. I love how they keep my clothes from being covered in flour and icing sugar when I am baking. I love how I can make them pretty and clever and creative while still being really practical. I love the big pocket that I can use to put change in at a fair. I love how when I put one on, I am 'in uniform' without being in uniform. They are the ultimate working garment.
I've made a few lately, and thought it time I shared them here:
I made this one as a commission for a lass who works in a cafe, and needs to wear black. She wanted a retro vibe, pretty apron and this is what I came up with. I love the shape so much, I made another similar style one in some retro style fabrics I've accumulated. Just because I could:
It's probably easier to see the style in this one. I love the sweetheart neckline. It needs bows and buttons. More more more!!!
And this one is for me. I need a new apron, one that is pretty and eye catching for when I am working a fair stall, but practical and easy to wash too. This one perfectly fulfils all the design specs. And it is nice to finally find a use for the poppy buttons I bought years ago!
Are you an apron wearer too? I would love to hear about your favourite, and/or what you like in an apron. Pretty, practical, or both, the ultimate combination?
Posted by at
Labels: ,

13 comments:

  1. Felicity from Down UnderOctober 29, 2011 at 9:02 PM

    Very pretty! I love how the black one makes the contrast fabric really pop.

    I make aprons out of remnants of what's probably thermal-lined curtain fabric, so that they have some water-resistance. They're not entirely waterproof but they provide added protection against splashes of liquids as well as flour and the like. I've recently seen a tutorial over at the Purl Bee that I intend to adapt, so that we can have adjustable straps (I make mine to measure, really, but if I grab my husband's apron, it's altogether the wrong size for me, so adjustable straps would be great).

    ReplyDelete
  2. MrsC (Maryanne)October 29, 2011 at 9:58 PM

    Oh Felicity that is a splendid idea! My mother the Embroidenator makes them that way - she puts a big button hole on one side, loops the neck strap through it, and attaches the loop back with a button and another button hole, if that makes sense. not endlessly adjustable but customisable, and a nice button on the neckstrap adds to it. My husbad and I are blessedly alike in our fit of things like aprons and car seat adjustments, for some inexplicable reason as he is 5 inches taller than me and half the width! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. JuneOctober 30, 2011 at 1:22 AM

    I love aprons and at last count have collected about 150 covering all contingencies! from the very utilitarian to the flirty, flimsy kind and one that is like a flower - and another that must be made for a very well endowed man judging by the shape!! I haven't made one for years but the collection started when my sister gave me the last apron my mother wore.

    ReplyDelete
  4. MrsC (Maryanne)October 30, 2011 at 1:24 AM

    JUne!!!! You are such a hoarder! LOL! I've got 4 and I thought that was OTT.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousOctober 30, 2011 at 10:16 PM

    I like those... Definitely a big apron fan here, too. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. ZipZipNovember 1, 2011 at 6:19 PM

    Oooh, oooh! The one with the sort-of cherries and the red trim. That one is ducky and perfect for lightening a dark day.

    Very best,

    Natalie

    ReplyDelete
  7. MrsC (Maryanne)November 1, 2011 at 6:32 PM

    Isn't it just, Natalie! I couldn't help it. And I've got another couple planned! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousNovember 2, 2011 at 12:20 AM

    Oh MrsC I just love them all, but you know how partial I am to the green and orange one - cuter than a thing has a right to be. You are so clever and talented. Luv Kelly

    ReplyDelete
  9. M'ladyDecember 23, 2011 at 1:41 AM

    How much fabric would you say an apron takes?
    I have some red gingham and also 1 metre of floral print fabric left to use up.

    ReplyDelete
  10. MrsC (Maryanne)December 23, 2011 at 1:55 AM

    It's fun watching your progress through my posts hehe. For a one piece apron like the black one, you need just over however long you want to make it, which for me is generally 0.8m. For the vintage styled ones, I think I had 1.25 yards. This because of the gored skirt taking up more than a square cut one would. And of course you can always mix and match fabrics any way you like to make it work!

    ReplyDelete
  11. M'ladyDecember 23, 2011 at 1:56 AM

    Patchwork apron ;)

    ReplyDelete
  12. M'ladyDecember 23, 2011 at 2:06 AM

    Well I also have 3 metres of pale blue crinkle cotton I bought off the internet not knowing what crinkle cotton was...apparently its not good for making anything fitted. lol!
    I might use it to make the apron shown here
    http://www.antiquepatternlibrary.org/html/warm/B-SW002.htm
    Its the over the head one but without pockets.

    ReplyDelete
  13. MrsC (Maryanne)December 23, 2011 at 2:23 AM

    Heck even at my age I find instructions without illustrations offputting! I hope it's a nice one. Lauren at Waering History has a whole series of blogs on bias trimming to go with a very cool apron pattern she is selling:
    http://wearinghistoryblog.com/2011/12/how-to-one-step-bias-binding-curves/

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)