APRON-OLOGY

For years I hadn’t given aprons a moment of thought. Then last year my sisters were talking about making aprons using men’s shirts and the idea intrigued me enough that on a whim I made one for my granddaughter for Christmas.



I wasn’t prepared for her reaction. She loved it. I have decided that this will be a gift that I can give her more than once so with that in mind I started looking around for apron ideas.

That’s how I learned of Apron-ology. There is at least one magazine devoted to the subject. I had no idea there were so many people interested in making aprons and the number of styles for aprons are endless. There are so many ways to go when deciding the style of apron to make. You can go frilly and feminine or abstract and bold. Simple or fussie with all sorts of embelishments. You can make them with a bib or one that covers only from the waist down. Some are so fancy they look like they could be worn as a dress to a formal gathering. (As long as you're not worried about covering your backside.) My mother prefered the cobbler apron and owned several. I have two aprons, one I use for Thanksgiving and another that's for Christmas. Both have bib tops. 

The other day while shopping for fabric, I saw several dress forms wearing what appeared to be winners in some apron competition held by the store. The one that took first place had a head of a cat for the bib and was done up in bright bold colors. One of the simpler ones caught my eye and got me thinking about how I could use the basic design but with a few changes make it so it was reversible. Here’s what I ended up with.

Completely reversible.

Close-up so you can see those are coffee beans not leopard spots.

I may never become an Apron-ologist but it’s an area of study that I’m quite happy to pursue.   How about you? How do you feel about aprons? Do you use them? Are you as intrigued by all of the possibilities for making them as I am? Have you ever made an apron and if so did you use a pattern or did you create one using your imagination? I almost bought a pattern for one thinking if might be useful but once my imagine kicked in I realized I really didn't need a pattern.

Ariel, please don’t let this be the time you decide to visit my blog.

I need to get back to the sewing table. I'll be putting in a lot of time there if I'm to get my gifts finished up in time for Christmas. Enjoy your day and as always thanks for stopping by.

The First Wee Santa

I finished this little Santa yesterday that is the first of four that I’m going to be making of this approximate size. The overall measurement for this jolly fellow is 6 ¾ inches and that is including the ¾ inch thick section of Christmas tree trunk base he is mounted on.

Santa is standing atop a frosty mound of snow.

He's dressed in the customary red suit with white fur trim.

Santa is holding a very small teddy bear.

I started this little fellow back in March of this year but couldn't decide how I wanted to proceed until one day last month when something in the old noggin clicked and there he was. Hopefully the next one won't take as long to complete. 

It's starting to feel a lot like winter this past week. It's a good thing too since it really puts me in the mood for the holidays. With gifts and cards to make and get sent out I need to be getting very serious about how I spend my days. Now is also the time for some serious cleaning so the house is ready to decorate.

So, having said that I think I should go work on my granddaughter's gift. I'd tell you what I'm making her but it would be my luck she would pick this time to read my blog and it would spoil the surprise.

Enjoy your day and as always, thanks for stopping by.

QUILT BLOCKS

I've already found a use for some of the fabric that Katy so kindly sent my way. Yesterday I visited My Patchwork Life blog spot where Erin is asking for help making blocks to be donated to what she is calling "Hurricane Sandy Relief Quilts". You can visit her site and get instructions for making this block. It's called a Disappearing 4 patch.

The one above is made of scrap book paper that I made as a guide. I had to be sure I could actually figure it out before I cut into fabric. I shouldn't have worried about  following the instructions Erin gave since she was very precise and the block is easy peasy.

Here are some that I made this morning. Now all I have to do is get them to the post office so they get to Erin. She and some of her friends are taking it from there.

So, if you want to help in the making of "Hurrican Sandy Relief Quilts" please visit My Patchwork Life and sign up to make a few blocks or send a Paypal donation for buying quilt batting. Your help can really make a different to someone who could use a little help right now.

Remember what day it is today and whatever you do don't forget to get out there and vote. I want to wish you a wonderful day and as always, thanks for stopping by.