Cafe Apron Blog Feature

Just wanted to give a big THANKS to the folks over at Etsy Fort Worth for featuring my Cafe Apron Tutorial today!  These are a great group of fellow Etsy artisans.

Head on over and take some time looking around their site - some super talented creative-ness going on over there.  

And, don't forget to tell me about your apron making experience!  I'd love to hear your comments and see any pictures.

Pretty Vintage Pillowcase Turns Cafe Apron - A Free Tutorial - Super Easy!

Since this is one of my most popular blog posts ever, I am re-posting it!  It was originally posted back in June of 2008.  

Some of you have asked about easy instructions for a beginner apron. So, here you go!

This one is made from two vintage pillowcases. They are so much fun to use because of the unique embroidery work you find on each one.

Let me know if you have any questions and I'd love to hear from you if you plan to make one, or have one completed.  

Materials Needed:
1 Vintage Pillowcase
2 6"x19" pieces of fabric for pockets
2 2 1/2"x about 40" pieces of fabric for ties (can use upper portion of pillowcase)Vintage Trim - Rick Rack or Ribbon
White Thread
Sewing Machine and/or Serger
Straight Pins
Iron
Rotary Cutter and Mat
Transparent Ruler
Scissors

Instructions:
1. Press your pillowcase using your iron and spray starch.
2. Determine the length for your apron. (Mine is 21") Add 2 1/2" for the waistband. Using a rotary cutter       and transparent ruler, cut across your pillowcase.
3. Determine the width of your apron. (Mine is about 33" wide) Flip your pillowcase over, and cut a slit down the middle. Lay it out flat on your cutting mat and cut to the desired width being careful to center the motif.
4. Hem the sides by serging; zig zagging; or turning under 1/4", press, turning under another 1/4", press, then stitch in place close to the folded edge.
5. At the top of your apron, turn down 2 1/2" towards the back for the waistband and press.


6. Open back out and turn under 1/4" along the raw edge. Press back down.
7. Using rotary cutter and ruler, cut 2 strips of fabric for the apron ties 2"x about 40" (twice the width of your pillowcase works great!).
8. Press under 1/4" on the 2 long sides and 1 short side of each apron tie. Press under another 1/4" on the 2 long sides.

9. To avoid bulky tips on the apron ties, fold the material back out and trim the corners. Fold the short end to make a pointed tip and press. Stitch around the apron ties close to the folded edge.

10. Insert ties into the sides of waistband. Pin in place. Stitch all the way around close to the folded edge.

The basics are done - now it's time to embellish!

11. Cut 2 pieces of fabric 6"x19" for pockets. Fold with right sides together and press. Stitch around with 1/4" seam allowance - Be sure to leave about 2" opening (to turn right side out).

12. Trim the corners and turn right side out. Press well. Stitch opening closed.

13. Pin pockets in place. Stitch around 3 sides close to edge.
14. To create smaller pocket sections, stitch down the center of each pocket.
15. Add desired trim along the bottom using a straight stitch.

Congratulations! You're done!

Let me know if you have any questions- I'd love to hear from you once you complete your apron.

Don't forget to visit Whoopsie Daisies on Etsy for other cool gifts and accessories for you vintage lifestyle!  You can also find Whoopsie Daisies on Facebook, Twitter, and Whoopsie Daisies Days blog.

Visions of Things to Come -

As I'm packing a suitcase (to be out of town for a few days), doing laundry, chasing a little boy, washing dishes, and trying to find my other shoe (most likely floating in the dog's water dish)....I'm also trying to get ready for my Trunk show Wednesday.

Here are a few pictures of my work room - hope you enjoy!

Stacks and stacks of vintage bits....Aprons.....Diaper/Wipes pouches....Crochet Hats.....Burp cloths.....Pumpkins.....(limited time only!)Coffee Cozies.....

Crafty Pod and Vintage Indie - Check it out!

Take a click over to 

Crafty Pod 

The Podcast and Blog all about Making Stuff.  I'm bookmarking this one, they have some serious links to some seriously fun looking crafts.  If you're like me, you're always looking for something new to "make" - and I think this blog may be my next stop for inspiration.   

They've done a great review of "Craft Challenge:  Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Pillowcase".  Of course, I'm a little biased since they posted a picture of the Layer Cake Apron - yahoo!  Thanks for the link!

Also - Check out Vintage Indie - Modern Life, Vintage Perspective.  They featured my newest Layer Cake Apron yesterday.  This is also a fav blog of mine - I love how the editor - Gabrieal Wyatt states that their goal is to give new life to once disregarded items and blend them into the modern world we live in today.  For those of us that love vintage - isn't that what it's all about?  Honoring the past by bringing it into our lives today.  Love it.  Check it out!

Craft Challenge: Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Pillowcase - It's Here!

I'm just so excited to share with you my first entry into the world of publishing. I couldn't stand it any longer and got tired of waiting for my copy from Lark Books, so I went ahead and ordered myself a copy. I was thrilled to find my apron on the inside front cover as well as the back cover! It's the "Layer Cake Apron" and the only apron in the book which surprised me a little. I love the way they photographed each of the aprons.
The entire book is very pretty as well. It's very fresh and perfect for spring just around the corner. I'm also really excited to try several of the projects in the book. There are 3 different styles of the pillowcase dress, a cute adult robe, adult tunic which can be made as a child's dress as well, lounge pants, several bags and other cute accessories for your home.

I've done a little background reading on several of the designers in the book and I have to say that I believe that I am in fine company. Many of them have Etsy sites which I intend to check out and several have blogs which are on my reading list.

Love Vintage Pillowcases?

If you do, then you'll have to check out Lark Books Craft Challenge - Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Pillowcase . Why? Well, because you love vintage pillowcases, but also because I have a project featured in this book! I'm so excited to see it in print myself. My contribution is an apron made from vintage pillowcases. I would show you all a picture, but since my computer was stolen - my pictures went with it. So, it'll just have to wait.
The book is due out March, 2009. I'll be sure to let you all know when I get my first copy. I am excited myself to see all of the other projects in this book. I love vintage linens and am always looking for ways to use them.

Little Girl's Vintage Apron Patterns - I'm Inspired!

These are some darling little girls' apron patterns that came from my mom's stash. I'm thinking that the 70's looking one was probably meant to be sewn for me as a child, but I honestly don't know if that ever happened or not.


These other two came from mom's collection of vintage goodies by way of her antique business. I'm so lucky! I am totally planning to sew each of these. I'm especially loving the one above - It's a size 4 and my little girl is a 5, so I'm not sure if it will fit her or not. I'll just have to see once it's done.

This one looks like it has been used, but the transfers are still in the package. I'll probably never actually use them, but I can certainly use them for inspiration. Aren't they cute??
Hope you enjoy!
If you want to see the backs of the patterns, you can click on my Flickr page here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27301962@N02/2559360562/in/set-72157605483383540/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27301962@N02/2558536547/in/set-72157605483383540/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27301962@N02/2558537235/in/set-72157605483383540/
I'm still new to Flickr, so I hope you can view these ok.
Hope you're all having a nice weekend - it's 95 today and humid. Blah. We're watching the horse races :)

Vintage Apron Pattern Results - finally.

I finally got it done - I mentioned this great vintage apron pattern that I bought a few weeks ago at an antique mall in Granbury, Texas. I gave it a go - and I think it turned out pretty cute! It's very flouncy and very feminine.
My little girl took the pictures for me - didn't she do a great job? She's 5! Such a good helper to me. It's been a bit of a struggle the last few days to get any sewing in. My boy is upset with me at the moment because I'm making him stay in his crib while I type this (he really should be taking a nap). Afterall, we've been outside all morning playing at the park, even had a picnic lunch outside. You'd think that would tucker him out. (Pause...................) Guess he's got other plans today. He's now out of his room, upset at his sister because she won't share her yogurt with him.
Now, if I can just carve out 5 minutes to get this listed on my etsy shop....won't be long, by the end of the day.

Well, here's to wishing you the time you desire to create!

Salt an Peppa

Friday afternoon I packed a bag and headed out. No kids, no husband -
to a great little town south of here for a little SPA treatment (Spiritual Purpose Awakening) - a women's retreat through my church. What a great time - very insightful, relaxing, and a great time with friends.
On the way home Saturday, I had to stop in to an antique mall along my route.

These are some of my finds.....
A great retro set of salt and pepper shakers. You can see they sort of match my canisters in the background (which came from my husband's grandmother's kitchen).

I also picked up this cute apron - just loved the colors mostly - I thought it looks especially springy.

















And..I found this apron pattern. It seems to be unused and all intact. I'll let you all know when I make an apron from it.























This is a burp clothe and taggie set I made as a custom order - just wanted to share! You can see it in my Etsy shop soon.

Class Report

Well, after 4 hours of "serging"....this is what I accomplished!
I decided to sign up for Serger II....I'd like to learn how to do those Rolled Edges.
I think it's something I'll just have to practice with - it's sort of like learning to sew all over again - well, it's just a different machine. For those of you that sew - you know what I mean when I say that you just "know" your machine - you spend so much time with it. I think I just need to spend some "date" time, getting to know you time with my serger. Maybe if I give it a name, it'll treat me nicer, and feel like a true member of my family! Got any ideas???
If so, leave me a comment!
These are just some fabrics I found at Joann's the other day. My little boy loves, loves, loves puppies. So, I think I'll make him a little camp shirt, or maybe jon jon's out of the puppy material.
Then, I just loved the other two. I'm thinking circle skirts, either for my little girl, or to post on Etsy. The brown fabric is so pretty - it's chocolate brown with white embroidery.
Then, this little pattern I found in my stash the other day.
It's just too cute- I'm planning to dig into this soon and for sure make some for my shop.

Hope you all have a great day! Thanks for stopping in!