Sunday, January 30, 2011

Taffeta and toile apron...

I have been planning on making some cute aprons forever, but somewhere between kid's homework, a music ministry, and laundry, I got behind. Yesterday's beautiful sunny weather gave me a burst of energy and I spent Saturday making 40 cloth napkins, 8 placemats, a double table runner, and finishing the apron I started last summer. Ok, so I went a little overboard with the apron! Let me say I love sewing! I do have some background in clothing and costume design as my multi-talented mom was also a clothing designer for a while. Her label, Anita Carole, was geared mostly to high-end clients who would have her do an entire wardrobe. I worked some for her, but also did around 30 Elizabethan costumes for Madrigal dinners plus lots of evening gowns and everyday wear. Unfortunately, I just don't have a lot of time to do it these days.


About the apron...I prewashed the fabric, as always to allow for any shrinkage. I cut a top and bottom out of the toile--no pattern, I just went by my measurements. I doubled the taffeta and gathered a strip for the bottom ruffle, and a smaller one for the neckline. The top is lined as is the band around the middle which also forms the tie at the back.  
My 11-year-old was the photographer, so I think I'm looking a little blurry, but you get the idea! 



My husband said it reminded him of "I Love Lucy" so I'm heading in the right direction! I always love her aprons!  

Now...just a peak at the fabrics for the other things I finished...maybe something Ralph Lauren-inspired??


...something pink 


You'll have to come back and see! I'm linking up for the first time to Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage so please go by there and say hi!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Anita


33 comments:

  1. Red Couch RecipesJanuary 30, 2011 at 8:42 PM

    Anita, with the flat shoes and skinny jeans you do remind me of Lucy. We just bought a season and all the family loves it. It feels so good to laugh and laugh with her and Ricky. That is a beautiful apron and you make a great model. You were sure a busy bee -- sounds like you are a fast seamstress -- making 30 madrigal outfits and sewing for your mother would give you the experience. Have a great week. Joni

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  2. Pam - @diy Design FanaticJanuary 30, 2011 at 9:01 PM

    So cute Anita! You really were busy Saturday! I have been sewing since I was a young girl, but always procrastinate on sewing projects!

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  3. OHHH ANITA YOUR APRON IS JUST FAB MY FRIEND :)
    CAN'T WAIT TO COME BACK AND CHECK OUT THE OTHER BEAUTIES YOU HAVE MADE!! THE FABRICS LOOK SOOOO YUMMY :) BUT YOU KNOW ME I LOVE THE PINKS...LOL!!
    YOU ARE SO PRETTY SPORTING YOUR NEW APRON :) GREAT JOB!!!

    XOX~MARI

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  4. Carol at SerendipityJanuary 31, 2011 at 3:07 AM

    Anita,

    I love to sew. I make quilts and "stuff" for my house. I haven't made an apron in years. I used to make a dozen for my mom every year or so. I hope you show all your other projects to inspire me to have a huge burst of sewing energy.

    Have a wonderful week.

    Carol

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  5. Love all of them and your new pic is beautiful!

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  6. Anita....GORGEOUS, GORGEOUS, GORGEOUS -- as a maker of aprons, yours is incredible! I love the I Love Lucy aprons too. I make a lot of my table linens too. So easy and you get just what you are wanting.

    Blessings!
    Gail

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  7. I am a huge apron fan so I love it. Actually, I would love it regardless because it's so cute.

    I don't think you look like Lucy. I think you look like Laura Petry. (Dick Van Dyke Show). Just adorable.

    Of course, I'm anxious to see what you do with all the beautiful linens you made.

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  8. Love, LOVE the apron!!
    And Anita, could you be any cuter! You are such a doll!

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  9. Anita Good Morning!How stunning....I love the material and details of course you added and you look just great and so HAPPY!The other table top projects sound wonderful too. If you you ever were to sell your aprons or runners I would be interested. The materials you grouped are just so gorgeous and fresh and inviting. My grandmothers were seamstresses and could do anything out a piece of fabric including Barbie wedding gowns or elegant drapes. Miss it all. You and your Mother are so talented! Thank you for sharing!:)

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  10. That apron is one of the cutest ones I have seen! I love the cut of the top and may I just say that you are one gorgeous and talented woman? Well, there... I said it!! Have a great week!

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  11. Oh, Anita! YOU are what makes that apron! So beautiful! :-) I just love it though and can't believe you made that much over the weekend...very impressive. I can't wait to see what you do with the rest of the fabric! :-)
    Vanessa

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  12. You are a very talented lady! I love your toile apron and can't wait to see the wonderful table coverings you have made. Have a great week. Blessings, Pamela

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  13. Dear Anita, such a cute apron. it's not over the top at all. Re oil lamps: people here usually convert them to electic. I hate being without a sewing machine but have not touched mine for a few months, lol.
    May God bless all your hard work :o)
    Hugs

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  14. Hi Anita, you look like doll, I love the material
    That is a beautiful apron so cute.
    !!!GREAT JOB!!!
    Love
    Isora.

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  15. Awe I always love cute aprons and they don't make me feel like a maid! I love sewing also and like you, once I get a wild hair....look out! If you have any pics of your costumes and gowns i'd love to see a post on it...I think it's fascinating.
    Have a great week!

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  16. Love it! Thank you for linking up with Masterpiece Monday. Have a great week, Mary :O)

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  17. A kindred spirit! I recently have been making various aprons. Small investment of fabric and time. No real sizing. Love your apron!

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  18. Very pretty. I think your photographer did a good job.

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  19. Hi Anita!
    The apron is beautiful ~ and what a lovely model you are too :o)
    Your son did a great job as photographer!
    I adore aprons. The colors are really pretty and it makes a great choice for Valentine's Day!
    Are you getting the same big snow storm in the mts?
    I may be home from school on Wednesday!
    Wishing everyone in the storm's track ~ warmth and safety!
    *Maria

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  20. Designs on 47th StreetFebruary 1, 2011 at 6:51 AM

    Oh how cute..the apron AND you! :) I just ran across your blog and how delightful it is. Your sewing is inspiring me as I keep intending to get my machine oiled and out and running again after years of neglect.

    I would love to hear some suggestions for good ole timey gospel hymn artist or CDs. I'm orginially from Va. and NC and love the old Southern churches.

    Donna

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  21. Hi Anita, thank you for commenting on my post about tea. I use bags I'm afraid. I would love to have one of those tea whatcamacallits, infuser, that's it. There is a sweet tea shop in Fredericton that sells them and all kinds of loose teas but I haven't been there in a while. Have a great week. Pam

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  22. Love the apron and the fabrics, too! You are much cuter than Lucy! Thanks for your sweet comment! I have becom a friend and follower.

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  23. Fun Anita...I love to see this fun flirty side of you:) Cute apron...

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  24. Terry @ La Bella VieFebruary 2, 2011 at 6:45 PM

    Oh this is adorable!!!! I love Toile and I also love "I Love Lucy" so this just fits the bill!
    Terry
    PS your son did a great job with the photos!

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  25. PAINTORDIG.blogspot.comFebruary 3, 2011 at 2:29 PM

    So cute! I love Lucy too. I love your choice of fabrics.

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  26. Susan Nowell @ My Place to YoursFebruary 3, 2011 at 7:38 PM

    Great apron! Can't wait to see the napkins and placemats, too. Wish I could sew like that! Stop by if you get a chance. I just posted my BEST tablescape ever!

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  27. The Decorative DreamerFebruary 4, 2011 at 6:22 AM

    Hi Anita! I love your cute apron, and you do look marvelous in it dahling! You sew beautifully! I cannot wait to see what you do with the new fabrics. Stop on over at The Decorative Dreamer and check out my Valentines Tablescape when you get a chance. I managed to work the ivy dishes in a bit. I think you'll like it! Hope you have a great weekend!

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  28. You are so amazing!!! I wish I LOVED to sew! I do it, but I certainly don't love it. I'm going to a JASNA conference in Ft. Worth in October and trying to talk myself into making a regency style dress. You will be my inspiration!

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  29. Linda (More Fun Less Laundry)February 4, 2011 at 6:22 PM

    Hi Anita, you are adorable in that apron and you did a wonderful job creating it without a pattern! I wear aprons too-they make me happy. And I Love Everything about Lucy's wardrobe, including her aprons! Very nice! Linda

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  30. Anita ~ just became your newest follower ~ LOVE the apron and the other material is wonderful. Aprons make me very ;-)

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  31. oh Anita your aprons are delightful and you look like a liveing doll in them :)

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  32. Just love that apron and you are a good model .It's so great to be visiting your blog...
    Have a wonderful week.
    Shel

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  33. The aprons are adorable and you are such a pretty model. And your shoes ROCK!

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