Tie One On: local pride (updated)

*Note: this post is currently unfinished.
I will edit it when I have a photo of the full apron.
I wanted to post now, just to show you what I have so far.


(click on image to enlarge)
The challenge for Tie One On was to make a regional apron--to showcase where you live.

I decided to make another apron from a floursack towel.
(I made an embroidered apron for a previous TOO, but I used a heavy duty floursack that I purchased at a quilt show for that one).

For this challenge, I just tried a light-weight towel I purchased at the grocery store.
I took a vintage hankie with a California theme, and fused it to the center of my piece--both to hold it in place and to give it strength.
The hankie is a map of the state, and is surrounded in California poppies (the state flower).
The apron is finished with vintage orange bias tape with white polka dots (why oh why does Wright no longer make patterned bias tape?).

(click on image to enlarge)

The embroidered apron I made previously was folded in half to create large pockets.
This time, I wanted the hankie area flat so the scene could be more visible.
I cut the towel lengthwise, giving me the longest possible piece.
My idea was to make a cafe-style apron that is almost like a wrap skirt (except on my fat ass, um, it doesn't quite reach around...but I digress..).
I wanted the ties extra long so they could reach around the front and be tied there.

Initially I was going to have plain pockets on either side, but then I decided to try someting unique, and I made a horseshoe pocket from a 1920's skirt pattern that I purchased, specifically for that fun pocket with the inverted pleat.


The pattern has only vague instructions, and I couldn't figure out the lap piece on the top of the pocket.
I ended up just finishing it in bias tape, which ties the apron together better anyway.
Because it's so large, I opted to make just one pocket.
I placed it on the left to balance the California on the right...but I'm right-handed, so in retrospect it would have made more sense to place the pocket on the other side.
Oh well, live and learn.
Hard to really see with the scanner, but here it is anyway

(I just realized that the way I laid this on the scanner, the stitching looks cattywampus. I assure you it is quite even. Really it is!)

Here--you can see it better in black and white


I rushed this project, so it certainly isn't my best work, but it's cute.
The orange is so cheerful.

Vinyl Hearts Apron

(click on images to enlarge)

I started this apron when Tie One On had a heart theme, but I never submitted it because I submitted it to Cloth Paper Scissors Magazine instead.
I had intended the apron to supplement my vinyl recipe cards article.
The magazine ended up not having room to print it, so I figured I'd share it with you.

I'd still like to submit it somewhere--perhaps the Not Your Mother's Apron contest? (the American Sewing Expo website is not updated at this time, or I'd link the details. Amy has some basic info up on the Tie One On site).
Info here.

The apron is totally impractical but a fun, over-the-top, one-of-a-kind party item.
There are two levels of pleated pockets.
Rather than using bias tape, I finished the pocket edges with strips of vinyl.
These were randomly stitched up and down with pink rayon thread, then accented with silver metallic.

The sash is a wide velveteen ribbon.

I used a current pattern--Simplicity 4597.
The fabric is Curly Hearts by Loralie (On the Mend line–one of the breast cancer awareness fabrics)
A huge thank you to Donna of The Spider's Web fabric shop, for suggesting this fabric.

I added recipe elements to the apron--it's basically a great big recipe card.

The heart that sinks into the top pocket area is pink vinyl onto which "Recipe for Love" is printed onto organza.
The inside is filled with 'ingredients' on slips of paper--hugs, kisses, passion, desire, etc.
The tiny heart hanging off the center line of pockets is just for added fun.

For the lower edge, I made my own 'pom-poms', by stitching two vinyl heart shapes with random metallic stitching.

Each heart is embellished inside with confetti, or mesh, or pieces of thread.
I stitched rayon cording inside the vinyl, then attached all the pieces to twill tape.
The variegated velvet trim ribbon was pain-stakingly hand-stitched, with all the edges facing forward then hidden underneath this trim...so both sides are completely finished.
The stitches were so small, I had to use a magnifying lamp.

At one corner I made two larger hearts.

The two larger hearts are pink vinyl filled with bugle beads and metallic confetti. One has ingredients listed: sugar, and honey.

The focal point, however, is a large vinyl heart filled with metallic heart-shaped confetti.

I enlarged the hearts on the fabric, and used them as my template for all the heart shapes, to give the design continuity.
I'm very pleased with the result.

Dishtowel Apron

Here's my submission for this month's Tie One On Challenge--making an apron from a dishtowel.


This started out as one large, plain white, flour sack towel. And I do mean large--I first considered making a maxi-length apron (cool idea). But I ended up turning one edge down to form a casing, and the opposing edge up to form pockets. I embroidered three onions (see inspiration below), and added two red bias tapes--a dark splatter design tape for the ties (long enough to tie to the front), and an Italian restaurant-feel with a red check for the top edge of the pockets. I considered tape around the outer edge too, but just wanted simple and plain. I am really pleased with how this turned out. It's so useable!


Please keep in mind that I do not embroider, so all you needlework enthusiasts, please don't wrinkle your noses. I just wanted to try something new. I don't have a clue how to embroider, I just looked at a how-to book and guessed. The backside was finished also, so I guess I did okay. There are french knots, couching, and a basic back stitch. Is that what redwork is, or should I have used a different stitch? Anway, I like how fresh this looks, so that's cool.



Onion on center pocket includes couching

Pink Lemonade

Whew, in just under the wire! Here's my submission for this month's Tie One On challenge. Not sure why it's blurry, but had to get it posted today regardless. I wanted something that felt fresh and fun, and I used the opportunity to practice applique, and to learn how to sew godets! This challenge offers the perfect canvas on which to experiment. My initial concepts included something gauzy, and I thought maybe a sarong might be fun. I considered making something low-slung slinky or a jersey knit, or something with cobbler pockets. But I ended up designing the idea around a skirt pattern (Vogue 7832). I ended up with white because I wanted clean and sheer and something like organdy. The store didn't have organdy, but this is really close,and only $1 per yard! I mean, how could I go wrong? I considered using citrus fabric, but decided it was too obvious, so opted for stripes and polka dots ($2 yard!). I considered a trip to a local quilt shop for luscious Kaffe Fassett or even Amy Butler fabrics, but my pocket book said no. I'm just having fun and allowing myself to experiment anyway, so this is all good, you know? I couldn't get these images to load onto one post, so scroll down to check out the details on the appliques. The appliques are the best part!

And yes, all these little tiny scraps of fabric had the edges turned under, then were pressed, then were stitched down. Each little tiny piece was also embellished with stitching to simulate the fruit pulp or texture, or whatever you want to call it. The stitching is purposefully wavy and irregular to add a whimsical quality. I'm pleased with how this turned out, though it was quite tedious and time-consuming.

Half lemon with a blue button for fun. There are also translucent red buttons at the sash, where the top edges of the waistband have been folded down, to create a decorative element. Really it was a mistake, but it ended up (as mistakes often do) to be a good thing. I like how all the buttons sort-of tie the design together, and add their own whimsy along with everything else.

Cowboys, wagons, trails...

Wagon Wheel Apron

Yay, I finished my entry for the Tie One On apron challenge--this month's theme being Home on the Range. One of the reasons I started this web log was to encourage myself to actually finish some projects. Evidently I find the fun in planning, coming up with ideas, buying fabrics and charms and threads and other stuff....then leaving all that behind when a new idea captivates my attention. I guess I have artistic ADD, lol. That being said, I decided to set aside my gazillion projects-in-progress yet again, and answer Amy's apron challenge. I mean, please, how could I pass up a cool challenge like that?! I wanted to use as much of my stash as possible, and just happened to have this fabric remnant with a Western theme. It even says "Open Range". I let the fabric tell me what to do, and based my design on the remnant size. I cut the corners to form a wheel shape, then used a metal ring to signify the inner spoke while at the same time emphasizing the bucking bronco. I used faux leather strips to form the spokes of the wheel (it also looks like a bridle, which is an added bonus). I wanted faux so the apron would be washable. I considered a rope-like trim, but I really like this leather look. I initially found this trim at Beverly's fabric store for $4.99 per yard. I didn't want to spend that much, then ended up finding the same trim at Walmart for $1.53 yard! Man, I will be checking there more often now. For the sash and mock tie front, I used a check with which I had once upon a time made a skirt and top. I think it all worked out rather well. I have come a long way in that I used to be the type who wasn't capable of working without a pattern. This entire thing just evolved out of my head, so I'm pretty proud of finally allowing myself that kind of freedom. As far as designs went on this project, I had so many ideas! I thought of making a faux belt buckle. I thought of scattering Western-themed charms and silver studs about. I thought about making a pocket from Levis. I thought of placing silver collar tips at the ends of the sash, or tying the sash like a bolo tie. I even thought of doing something with a horseshoe shape...but in the end I opted for simplicity. Sometimes I get carried away and I spend too much on extras, when really simplicity is always fine. Actually, it sort-of looks like something straight out of children's 50's cowboys and indians stuff. Not sure if that's good or bad, but overall I am just pleased with the process.