SEWENTROPY (The principle that every organized sewing room will eventually fall into chaos)

Entropy is my nemesis. I love for things to be neat and orderly, everything in it's right place - it gives me a feeling of calm and control. I know where everything is and I know what needs to get done. Entropy, on the other hand, loves total chaos and works slowly and deliberately to chip away any assemblance of order that I create.

Evidence of entropy: layer upon layer of "projects" on the cutting table.

Today entropy has won the battle for my sewing space, completely and totally. I can't even be in the room without feeling like I'm drowning. There are too many projects going on at once, too much fabric, too many boxes, too much mess (and the floor is slowly dissappearing). So I am throwing in the towel and admitting (temporary) defeat. And I'm shutting the door - maybe just for a few days - maybe longer.

Evidence of entropy: boxes...full of fabric...on the floor.

When I'm in the right frame of mind, I will return - with a plan - to regain control of my sewing space and projects from entropy and make them my own again. But right now there's a tipsy toddler calling for momma and a cup of hot tea with my name on it!

Sewing Inspiration: 1942 Needlecraft

The Hobbycraft Series Needlecraft book published in 1942. One of my all-time favorite sewing books - and here's why:

I hope you enjoy these illustrations as much as I do. Happy sewing!

Aprons for Lily

I finished up these birthday aprons at the end of last week, but wanted to wait until after they were gifted to share them! I made them for my friend's daughter Lily for her second birthday.

This is the play apron that I posted about last week, made from vintage Simplicity 8615 pattern. It was fast and easy to stitch up, and is very cute - I'd like to make some for my little girl!

This is a tea apron that I cut without a pattern from thrifted embroidered fabric, and I love the way it turned out.

And lastly, this is a toddler sized Cobbler apron with three big pockets in front, view A from Simplicity 3802. Lily can wear this when she's coloring and stick her extra crayons in the pockets.

I'm planning to stitch up another childs' apron for my next sewing project, a vintage pattern that I've had for years. It is hand cut from a Chicago newspaper dated Wednesday, March 8 1945 and is the simple style that crosses in the back, buttoning over the shoulders. (Not a great photo, but you get the idea).

I saw a childs' apron that looked just like this pattern at the Apron History lecture I attended last week, and it was absolutely adorable, I can't wait to see how this apron turns out. In fact, as soon as I press the "Publish" button, I'm off to get started! Happy sewing!

Apron Lore and More!

When I read last week that the Des Plaines Historical Society was hosting an apron program, you better believe I marked it on my calendar and was counting down the days! The timing couldn't have been better, I was down with a terrible cold earlier this week and this was the first day I actually felt like getting off the couch - so I was glad to have something to look forward to!

The Apron History talk was presented by Bev Ottaviano and Robyn Ratajczak of the Arlington Heights Museum. Bev and Robin brought over 100 examples of aprons to share with the audience! Oh yes, it was apron heaven!

Aprons everywhere - in baskets, on tables, hanging all around the room.

Aprons even adorned the chairs! I love it! Here's a great snapshot of Robyn on the left and Bev on the right, wearing aprons of course!

Both Bev and Robyn not only shared some of thier own apron memories and stories, but also read us some wonderful apron poetry! And then it was our turn - the audience shared in their own apron stories. Several folks brought beautiful family aprons to show, and one apron lover had a lovely sentimental photo of her mum wearing an apron from the 1950's. If you're in the Chicago area, I do believe that these apron teachers continue to offer the Apron History lecture throughout the area, so keep your eyes peeled!

Oddly enough, with all those wonderful aprons all around, this is the one that I keep thinking about. I've never seen one like it before, it's an apron made from a stack of printed paper napkins stitched to a ribbon; when the top layer gets dirty you just rip it off and throw it away, revealing a clean layer!

The square paper napkins rotate every other layer so that the points form a star pattern, stitched to a wide ribbon at the top. You bet I'm gonna try and make one!

And speaking of apron history, here's a great link I just found to some wonderful vintage and antique patterns from the Unsung Sewing Patterns blog. Very cool apron inspiration indeed: http://www.unsungsewingpatterns.net/search/label/apron

Finally, here's a little apron sharing of my own! A little peek at a few new "old" aprons I just picked up to add to my collection! Can you tell we're having a bit of a gusty day here?

Toddler Sewing: Aprons!

While flea marketing over the weekend with my friend, she mentioned wanting to find some little vintagy-looking aprons for her toddler to wear (you know, to help keep the tornado toddler mess in check). Perfect timing, since her toddler has a birthday in a week, and I thought that I may have a pattern or two in my stash.

And indeed I do! I've been saving these patterns for years, waiting for the day when I could sew them up. In fact, I've had them for so long that I kinda forgot about them! I already stitched up one of these (Simplicity 8165), sans panties and adding more room under the arms to fit over a dress or shirt. Here's the apron over a blouse (my tot would be modeling, but she's playing at Gramma's house today).

So cute, right? Except I messed up and put the buttonholes on the back straps instead of the front of the apron (because I didn't follow the directions-oops!) and I think the shoulders would lay a little better if I had placed the buttons correctly.

And here's some more! I love this toddler play outfit in view 4 with the ruffled panties! If I want to sew this for Kate, I have to make this right away or it's not going to fit.

Do you remember the Holly Hobby craze? I was a little too old to get stuck in outfits like this! But I do like view 1, only I'd make the dress with short sleeves. And I'd skip the bonnet!

Oh, I love this little frilly apron! I really like view 1 - but again I think I'd shorten the sleeves.

And I love view 2 with this little smock - but could do without that oversized collar. Seriously - what were designers thinking?

Oh, and I also found several current apron patterns for tots! Like Simplicity 3949 and 2699. In fact, I am almost finished stitching up view A from Simplicity 3802 for that birthday girl! Simple to sew up, using just a bit of fabric, and it's so cute!

I hope you all have a great weekend! This is just my second year celebrating Mother's Day as an actual mom. I've learned so much in the past 1 1/2 years about being a mom, and I know I still have so much to learn. Thankfully, my daughter is a great teacher. Happy Mother's Day!

Another One Done!

Just finished the second Oliver+S Tea Party Sundress, this time in the right size! It's too chilly to wear outside today, so we just tried it on inside to see how it looked.

I think Kate approves! This is some Moda fabric I had stashed, and I used a wee bit of vintage ric-rac trim between the bodice and skirt.

Now I can move on to my next project which I am TOTALLY excited about! A birthday gift for a little friend, toddler aprons! Weeeee!

Measure for measure

Oops! I didn't take Kate's measurements before stitching up the Oliver+S Tea Party Sundress, and I made the wrong size! I shouldn't have skipped that step, but at least it's too big and not too small, so she can to wear it next year. 

I love the buttons - these are little vintage flower buttons stacked on top of brand new pink ones.

Gosh this is a cute dress! I have to make another one that will fit her this summer.  Back to the sewing machine for me!