a little post about an apron
There is something delightful about custom-making a creation just for yourself. You see the piece in your mind and imagine the little touches you want it to have and picture where you will wear it or put it in your home. With each stitch, you know you are making a gift for yourself. You can sigh with less frustration when you have to undo mistakes you might make along the way. You can smile with that "oh it is perfect" smile when you put it on or place it where it belongs.
Last month, I created an apron just for me...
I wanted a skirt look, so I made it large enough to meet at my waist in the back. The front pocket closes with Velcro, so that it can hold my wallet or needlecase and seam ripper or change when it becomes my cashbox of sorts when I sell my creations at shows. I added the side pocket at just the right length to rest my hand inside it and to have access to whatever I might need.
I have found it to be the perfect accessory when I run errands, especially when my hands are full. Like today when I needed to mail nine packages and fill out five custom forms and other things at the post office.
The top pocket held my wallet, Starbucks card (because morning PO runs means stopping at the drive-thru Starbucks, and today, I had the chance to drink up my first pumpkin spice latte of the season), and other items needed for the packages. The side pocket held my cell phone and keys. I felt like quite the apronista. I am also going to wear it when I go antiquing and thrifting. The pockets will easily hold my measuring tape, notepad, pencil, and other necessities, so that I don't need to find a place to put my purse when I need to measure something or open linens to check for stains or gasp with delight when I need to pick up the perfectly pleated vintage apron, like this one. (I had to get it. I just had to. Those pleats remind me of the kilts I wore for four years of boarding school back in Indiana. Love. Those. Pleats.)
Aprons as fashion indeed.
Today, I find myself needing an afternoon break from a bit of work stress. And, lucky me, because I work from home, I can give myself this needed break. I think I am going to spend time in the little room creating a few more of these aprons to sell at ArtFiberFest (and speaking of AFF, when I went to Teesha's site to grab that link, I saw that a few spots are left. You, yes you, should take a break from all that has been crazy in your life and head to this neck of the woods to spend time with some of the most fantastic people you have ever met in one of the most beautiful spots in the world...and get to learn while making a few things too). I think I'll tweak the pockets a bit to add some spots for tools the crafty+artsy person needs when creating. And, I am going to make these aprons in various sizes too because I do love that skirt look.
Oh and my apron is reversible. I will let Betty model the reverse side. (Though this apron is beyond too big for Miss Betty—a gal who has never seen a carrot stick she didn't like. The perfect pleated apron is more her size.)
And one more thing: Thank you so much for your kind comments on my Wednesday post. Thank you for reading my story, for understanding, and for filling me up with your words. Thank you.
(I am so blessed.)
from the little room
Reader Comments (15)
gah!
(and i mean that gah in the
most exctitable way possible!)
i LOVE the aprons...
love love love them...
i think they will be a huge hit!
:)
Is it wrong that I am all teary eyed reading this? Psh!
I would LOVE to re-print this, in it's entirety, on the Apronista site...I know our readers would LOVE to see this, and hopefully some of them will be your customers as well! I may have to get one myself!
Thanks for your consideration
Deanna
The Apronista
PS-I have always wanted to make aprons bigger for us "curvier girls" - I love that you have actually done it!
PS-we are HUGE Irish fans here as well...my in-laws host the girls water polo team each year when they come out to Ca, and they go back to at least one football game a year...my boys have gottent ehe fever too-and they are only 2 & 4!
I am drooling with envy at your new creation! Your talent amazes me! What beauty!
Very, very cool indeed :-)
VERY pretty! I love it! I think you will find that these will be very popular!! I love that you are wearing your apron out - funny!
I love them too and made one for myself for teaching. I still have to embellish it though. Soon I hope!
i also would like one. :) it would fulfill my fantasies about "when I sell my stuff at fairs .... " i tend to buy things for the things before i even start the things or am ready for the things.
and any post that has these words in it:
"when i was in boarding school in India"
is amazingly rich and intriguing to me. i'd love to hear some of those stories!
What a beautiful and functional apron!! I love aprons - especially vintage ones - ones that just look like vintage ones. Thanks for all the great links too.
Gorgeous! These are not our grandma's aprons! (Oh, but how my grandmother would have *loved* one of these delightful creations!) I'm so loving my Maude bag ... dumped my purse today and have been toting it everywhere ... just makes me happy looking at it.
Peace & love, JP/deb
1.) Am LOVING your aprons, especially the fact that you are making them more "skirt like." So fantastic Liz!
2.) Was wondering if you do customer orders...and lo and behold, I see that you do! :-)
xoxo
oh my gosh ~ i adore your skirt like aprons, how brilliant ... i would totally wear it out errand running too : ) super cute!!
I think your aprons are absolutely adorable!!! It's like a great accessory. I just finished making a Halloween themed apron to wear at school while I teach.
Oh how perfect! Wow.
This is just fabulous. I want one!!!!!
Love you
Brilliant idea and fabulous execution. Love it!
aren't you the cutest!
i remember you wearing an apron as we created our journals in seattle...i was in an antique shop last week and picked up a couple for myself to wear when i'm creating...i might just have to bring one to artfest.