Yesterday I showed you this apron pattern I wanted to make...well, not actually a pattern in the sense that you trace it and sew it, but as a diagram with written notes suitable for a 1929 geometry freak...
I'm a clear thinker first thing in the morning, so ask me why I decided at 8pm last night to make the magic apron?
No idea. I probably had too much coffee yesterday because after dinner my beans were still jumping and my mind declared it could master the instructions...
Mr E graciously excused himself from the area and went off to catch the bad guys in a game of Assassins Creed. During the following two hours his replies to my repeated self-monologue (honest, I had to read and re-read the instructions out loud over and over...how can I forget 'g meets k at 8 inches on a right angle parallel to h' between the desk and the cutting table???) were answered with, "Not talking to you, darling. Talking to this pattern!"
10.38pm: all I had to do was make the ties at the back, but decided that should wait for morning.
Good decision. My eyes were seeing double alphabets and too many intersecting lines and curves.
Did I mention you need to freehand draw all those curves??
But in the end it is all worth the effort!
6am: after a chat with God, one large creamy coffee and breakfast with Mr E, my apron was finished!
I love how it just flows around me.
Loose and cool and free.
Do you like the little doilies I used as pockets? 50c each at a country market a few months back. Perfect match for the fabric too...
Mr E even took a photo of me.
Honest, I'm quite chuffed with my first Magic Apron!
The original pattern came from a 1929 issue of The Women's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences, located in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Amy Barickman reproduced their original pattern in her 2010 book, "Vintage Notions", which is where I discovered it.
After all, when you find something that fits and you love it, you should always have a spare, right?
hugs
Your apron is beautiful, Jenny. By the sounds of it, I think I would have given up trying to figure it all out. Your doily pockets are a lovely addition. xx
ReplyDeletePS Nice photo of you modelling the apron!
You look wonderful in your new apron. Love your choice of fabric and the gorgeous doilies.
ReplyDeletehmm I have that book! perhaps I'll make one too! IN THE MORNING!
ReplyDeleteHi Jenny,
ReplyDeleteJust love the apron. Excellent fabric choice. It just makes the apron pop! Honestly homemade is just the best. You are so talented and creative. Luv reading your blog
Peace Nada.
Wonderful apron. So pretty.
ReplyDeleteLove the apron. You look adorable in it! I too have been known to converse with a difficult pattern. Drives my guy nuts, but he has learned to not get involved until I ask for his help. I tend to over-think things...
ReplyDeleteYour apron is beautiful - I hope you made the pattern :)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. .....but maybe early one morning....? I'm not even a 2015 geometry freak....the square on the hypotenuse of a right angled triangle is equal to the sum of the square on the other two sides......or something......looks smashing, Jenny!
ReplyDeleteThat is so cute...
ReplyDeleteDear Jenny,
ReplyDeleteYour apron is lovely, especially with the sweet doily pockets.
I went looking for the book from our library and it's not there, so I checked with some on line bookstores - very pricey.
Then I found the apron article in pdf form - perhaps your readers would be interested in figuring out the math/geometry, too. I know that I'm going to print off the article and attempt such an apron.
Here's the link
https://amybarickman.com/download/VNSample.03.pdf
I love, love LOVE the apron. I have a 1920's sewing book that has a similar apron for a child and I have often wondered if I could use that idea to make one for me ... and now, you've done it!
ReplyDeleteYour fabric choices are just perfect.
Jenny, I love it, it looks great on you. I want one now I guess I need to try to find this book. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteCarol O.
The pockets are definitely you! I never looked that good in an apron!
ReplyDeleteStunning!
ReplyDeleteJenny, you look so smug and proud of that apron and you should be!
ReplyDeleteI am so proud of you! Sewing that apron frustrated me no end - and in the end - I put the darts in the wrong place. I don't have an engineering mind.
My Grandmother had many books and pamphlets from the Women's Institute; I still have a few which make for curious reading now.
Great job! What a wonderful and cute idea to use doilies as the pockets.
ReplyDeleteOh I love it and you look gorgeous in it Jenny. Going to check out the link - thanks for the inspiration as always xx
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pinny Jenny - love the doilies as pockets - a very clever idea xx
ReplyDeleteI have an idea, why don't you lay it on the floor and draw us a pattern? All of us that at dyslexically mathematically challenged might be able to figure it out....HUGS...
ReplyDeleteDefinitely need spares! That is cute as anything, and it looks great on you. I LOVE the pockets. If you'd been looking for something like that for the pockets, you couldn't have found it at any price. A lovely piece. I was laughing as I imagined you working on that last night.
ReplyDeleteIt looks really great on you too!
ReplyDeleteI've wanted that book for awhile now. I'm not even an apron gal but I want one now! Absolutely darling!
wow, that's great. I've been searching for something like that, so I will have to give it a try - I'm curious if I will manage ;). Looks very good on you!
ReplyDeleteWell it's wonderful! You sure do good late-night work. I'm useless too late in the day. Thanks for the fun pics and pattern!
ReplyDeleteIt's soooo pretty! I just love your apron!
ReplyDeleteLovely apron! The doily pockets make it perfect. I wear an apron everyday. Between cooking, sewing and gardening my clothes would be destroyed. I have a large collection of antique doilies, I am going to poke around for suitable candidates for my next apron. Thanks for the great idea!
ReplyDeleteYour apron looks beautiful, Jenny! Congrats on sorting out the pattern.
ReplyDeleteI am definitely not an apron wearer... but, that is so cute I just might have to make one. {or two}
ReplyDeleteI love the apron but I think that pattern might be a bit too complicated for me! It reminds me so much of the ones my grandmother wore! blessings, marlene
ReplyDeleteA beautiful apron worn by a beautiful lady! I love aprons, and will try making this on a day when I'm not stamina-impaired. Your blog is phenomenal, I am so glad I happened upon it. You take me back to a better time - I have such wonderful memories of growing up in the 50's and 60's! God bless you for sharing your wonderful talents!
ReplyDeleteYour apron is beautiful. The Pocket sets it off.My mother always sewed them and wore them all the time.
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job on the apron!! I love the fabric you chose too!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou look so cute, and I love the apron too! The doily pockets are genius. Hugs
ReplyDeleteI haven't visited in a long while. I LOVE your new elephant at the top of your blog! Love your work! Always so precious!
ReplyDeleteSuch a pretty apron! I read over the instructions, and aside from the binding, there is actually very little sewing on this pattern, correct? May have to get my math-loving husband to draft this pattern for me! Happy new year!!
ReplyDeleteJenny,
ReplyDeleteYour apron turned out absolutely gorgeous. I just love the love the doilies you used for the pockets. And yes they do match the fabric to a T. Your late night sewing was definitely worth it to wake up and have such a cheery apron to don.
Firstly....wishing you, Mr E and the family a prosperous and happy 2015 :)
ReplyDeleteYour apron is gorgeous Jenny! The doilies is such a perfect touch!
Just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThat's right, Jill. You cut the entire apron in one piece, apart from the ties. Then it's all about adding bias to the edges.
ReplyDeletePrecious apron. I adore it! I love the fabric and the lace work on the pockets is divine.
ReplyDeleteDear Jenny,
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and yours!! I treasure all your blogs.
What patience and perseverance in making your apron! It was worth it though.
One thing I don't think anyone mentioned/ thought of, is that fabric was 36" wide back then. This would make a difference in the layout and finished product.
Donna in dark Scappoose,Oregon USA
You have really set me thinking about my year/domestic duties/home/word for the year.
ReplyDeleteLove, love the apron and it's pretty colours - the dollies make it extra special
Doodah, yes, the fabric is meant to be cut as 36" square, or if you are slim and petite it should be 32" square. :-)
ReplyDeleteWow!! This was quite an undertaking!! I sure hope you traced your pattern on to something after drawing it on the fabric so you can make the "magic" happen a little easier the second time! :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely apron and you look so pretty in it!
ReplyDeleteYour apron turned out beautifully.
ReplyDeleteI printed out the directions. I need to search my stash for some fabric. I love aprons. I am always on the lookout for apron patterns, I might even buy that book.
ReplyDeleteWowzers - I am so impressed you figured that out, lol, and had it turn out so so gorgeous!!!! My favorite pic of it has you in it!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and beautifully made apron. I see you also have a copy of one of my favorite magazines... Daphne's Diary sitting on the table with this great book which I also own. Am really loving your patterns lately.
ReplyDeleteBeth
Love the apron, and again, it brings back memories of my grandma, she always wore one to cook or clean, besides that's how our faces got washed during the day was with her apron. thanks for sharing Amy's pattern with us, just hope i can figure it out. It reads like one of those math problems we use to have in school,, LOL.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful job! I love the doilies and fabrics you picked! It's surprising you READ the directions when I OWN the same pattern. I made my Aunt a 1950's style from the pattern pieces, though she wanted the one with the gathered waist.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I picked that book up a few years back, too. Perhaps you could update the pattern for us geometryphobic people. :)
ReplyDeleteOh my Jenny! I love your apron! The fabric and pockets are divine. I love the combination. What is the fabric content? Thanks for starting apron mania. It's a great new trend.💐🌹💐
ReplyDeleteJody, I made this three years ago and can't remember the name of the fabric...but it was so pretty.
ReplyDeleteI have some of my grandmother's tablecloths from the 40s & 50s, waiting to find the perfect pattern. You did it! Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteIt's the cutest apron. Love those pockets. Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Jenny ,,!,Thanksxx
ReplyDeleteYour apron is gorgeous, thank you for sharing
ReplyDeleteThank you! Such a lovely apron! Lovely model, too!
ReplyDeleteI am a prolific apron wearer! My sweet Mama wore an apron Every day while doing her housework or cooking and would sometimes forget she had it on when she would dart out the door to run an errand, pick me up at school, etc... When I was very little, a toddler to be exact, I used Mama's apron as my own personal towel to wipe my hands on regardless if clean or dirty. That was fine until I didn't notice Mama had taken her apron OFF and I continued wiping my hands on whatever she was wearing! I distinctly recall wiping my hands on her nice Sunday dresses before we left for Sunday School & Church on many Sunday mornings. Thus, Aprons became a necessity bc I couldn't seem to remember NOT to use Mama's pretty clean aprons for my own personal hand towel. The fact that my softy of a mama found it very difficult to scold me for much of anything could possibly have been a contributing factor??!!
ReplyDeleteThank heavens I didn't turn out to be a bratty little kid! At least that's the story I'm rolling with! LOL!!!
Jenny, you look so lovely, sweet, and happy in your new apron!! The doily pockets are such a clever idea. One I wouldn't have thought to use but an excellent way to put some of my doily collection to good use. I LOVE LOVE LOVE aprons and shall use your free pattern to sew myself up a new one! Thank You Jenny
Much Love
Jane Ellen