Today I have a fun recycling project to share with you inspired by the wonderful book Sewing Vintage Aprons: Classic Aprons for Today's Lifestyle. I also have the pleasure of being included in the book! (Well, a little story from my childhood about a fun apron experience in my grandmother's kitchen.) If you like aprons, good stories and recipes then I bet you will love Sewing Vintage Aprons: Classic Aprons for Today's Lifestyle. And since it's Wednesday, that means it's today's giveaway book!
Leave a fun apron, cooking, or kitchen comment in today's post by Midnight Wednesday September 7th, 2011 and you are in the running for a copy of Sewing Vintage Aprons: Classic Aprons for Today's Lifestyle.
This is the full apron I made from a shirt and a half apron.
I had scored 2 half aprons hand made by an older lady that were donated to a clothing swap. I don't wear half aprons so I flipped through Sewing Vintage Aprons: Classic Aprons for Today's Lifestyle and it occurred to me that I had a few shirts that I could repurpose into the top half of an apron, one of which had already been cut and altered into a halter style top. Perfect!
All I had to do was stitch the shirt to the waistband of the apron and trim off the excess shirt.
One other alteration I made was I felt that the apron was a tad too long but I didn't want to lose the cool ric rack hem so I hemmed it above the ric rack trim.
Here is a close up of how I used my cutting board grid to fold the hem up. I could see the grid through the fabric so it was so easy to keep the hem the right length!
I'll keep you posted on how the other apron gets a top half when I figure that one out! But in the meantime, check out:
Sewing Vintage Aprons: Classic Aprons for Today's Lifestyle
by
Denise Clason
For decades, smart stylish women have worn different aprons to suit their various needs. They are a must-have in the kitchen and elsewhere. This book brings new life to vintage styled aprons that women of today will find irresistible.
Denise Clason has been an artist/designer for over 35 years. Her designs have been published and licensed in the craft, decorative painting, sewing, and quilting industries. She is the author of 8 books.
Such a great idea to re-use clothes. My mom turned a skirt that we bought at a thrift store into the skirt of an apron.
Posted by: Kristen | September 01, 2011 at 07:34 AM
My grandmothers all wore aprons as do I when baking. When my daughter took a cooking class in high school years ago, she had to have a butcher's apron with her name on it. There was no way she was going to have a boring apron so we painted the top half! She heard a lot of comments about it each time she wore it.
Posted by: Janice | September 01, 2011 at 07:35 AM
I live and breathe aprons! This book looks wonderful. Thanks for the chance to win.
I especially appreciate what you did with your shirt and apron - upcycling is one of the best ideas ever!
Posted by: Becky Stancill | September 01, 2011 at 08:55 AM
I made my first apron in 4-H. It was blue with chickens and eggs on it and I LOVED it!
Posted by: Char | September 01, 2011 at 09:22 AM
I make aprons for my daughter out of vintage clothing - she is a floral designer and wears the aprons at her shop! I LOVE the creativity in making aprons, and the simplicity and ease in creating them. Would love to win this book and "ramp up" my apron collection!
Posted by: Laura/Readerwoman | September 01, 2011 at 11:30 AM
I love aprons for about every project. I have a funny kitchen comment about two young girls making brownies from scratch...The girls got to the part about egg whites, they didn't understand what egg whites were-and they didn't ask-a few minutes later they asked Mom why they couldn't get the egg whites into the batter correctly---they used the white egg shells, lol.
Posted by: Kristi | September 01, 2011 at 11:31 AM
Im wear aprons all the time, no halfs for me, either! I also make aprons out of cotton tea towels. I have made app. 150! Given most away to friends and family! Would love the book!
Posted by: Luvenia Jenkins | September 01, 2011 at 01:49 PM
I make aprons for gifts all the time and have a small collection of vintage aprons. would love to have this book. thanks.
Posted by: Sherry J. | September 01, 2011 at 04:22 PM
I cannot believe how many women, or men have never seen anyone use an apron. I appreciate your styling and feel the thrill of getting down to serious work in the kitchen once I don my 'princess of the kitchen' apron. Sometimes I wear my tiara too! Hope to win the book. Love your blog.
Posted by: Angela Flickema | September 01, 2011 at 07:23 PM
I'm getting better at planning meals and finding new recipes.
melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com
Posted by: MelodyJ | September 01, 2011 at 10:34 PM