Scarlet Letter Calling Cards

I designed this set of calling cards for the main characters of The Scarlet Letter a few years ago. (click on the image to see detail). Once upon a time I was a wee bit obsessed with the story. I designed and sewed my first quilt based on the it - you can see it here.

I have been watching the PBS version of the story made in 1979. It's excellent. I highly recommend it if you have never seen it. The production values are very naturalistic, and a lot of the scenes are shot outside. It is so true to the story in word and tone (I have read it many times), and Meg Foster and John Heard were so perfectly cast.

Why the Scarlet Letter you ask? I'm still not completely sure. When I was in my 20s I started seeing a therapist. At the first session after hearing my story and my reasons for coming to see him he said "You seem to see yourself a lot like Hester Prynne" - at the time I had a small copy of the book in my purse - I knew right then that I had found the right therapist!

It's true that when I was in my 20s I felt doomed to solitude, but now that I am in my 40s (with little solitude!) Hester still seems very familiar to me: Her independent spirit, her desire to be a good mother, and ultimately her hopefullness. When she meets Dimmesdale in the woods 7 years past their transgression, she still believes that their love can lift them above their present circumstances. She even convinces him for a little while. Of course things don't work out for them in the end, but I guess a story that doesn't end neatly is my favorite kind - it just seems so real.


In other news, we have gotten our first dog. Woody is a rescue - a schnauzer mix so he has hair rather than fur, he's about 5, and he weighs 19 pounds. He had been on the street and was next fostered in a home. We got him last Tuesday and I can't get over how quickly we have all bonded with him. I am the alpha, and I have been reading my Cesar Millan so I understand the importance of my role! We are doing a lot of walking - getting up early for a morning walk, and taking another long walk after dinner. Woody is adjusting to us just fine and has no real issues to speak of (he barks when people knock on the door, but it's not out of control). I can't get over how quickly we have come to love him - and he us - we are just thrilled with Woody!

Plaid Hat, Formerly a Pair of Long Shorts

Last year I thrifted a pair of vintage plaid petal pushers that were too big. I reworked them, blogged about it, then put them in the closet. This year I pulled them out and put them on - ugh. They just didn't look very good (and my husband laughed at them!). What to do?? Make a hat out of them! I love the challenge of working with plaid, and of transforming one thing into another. I used the inside of the fabric as pants as the outside of the fabric hat - the black was not so faded.


I didn't have enough fabric for the inside brim and the 2 bands (the pieces that connect the brim to the body of the hat) so I used some of the plaid from my last hat project. I also had to carefully piece 2 pieces together to form the outer hat band - look closely at the front and you can see where they meet. I used a small gingham for the lining.


Overall I am really happy with this one. I'm not thrilled about the way it looks on me - and that's the thing about making a hat - you really don't know what the hat is going to look like on until it's finished, so you'd better enjoy the process of making it (which I do, obviously!)

20 Aprons for Smash Cake

Michelle Garcia, owner of Bleeding Heart Bakery and the recently opened Smash Cake, ordered 20 children's aprons from me for Smash Cake a few weeks ago (my biggest order to date had been for 8 aprons). I felt confident that I could complete the order in the time that I had, but there were a few complications. The fabric I wanted was not available, and the replacement fabric that I wanted (and that had been approved by Michelle) was also not available. Plan B! The replacement fabric was available in a smaller print, and I figured it would work so I ordered it. All of this back and forth cut about a week out of my timeframe so I decided to make some changes to the design. Originally I thought I would use 1 fabric for all of the parts. But with the fabric arriving on a Monday and the aprons due on that Friday, I decided to use a contrasting fabric for the bib liner and ties, as I usually do.

I finished the bib liners, ties, and neckstraps in advance of the skull fabric (at right) arriving.


I meticulously tracked my time to see how much I could shave off the usual 1 hour per apron I spend when I work on a multiple order. I was pleased to discover that I got that time down to 45 minutes.

I especially like the back view where you can see the 3 contrasting fabrics.

Quality control and final folding took 30 minutes. I was surprised by how small the finished ordered looked after spending 16 hours on it! I was out the door by 1:30 on the day they were due, just enough time to get the aprons to Smash Cake AND make a stop at Bleeding Heart for the best cupcake I have ever had - rhubarb with a wonderful whipped strawberry frosting - yum!

Interior of Smash Cake, a bakery/coffee-shop/children's birthday party venue in Chicago.

The exterior of Smash Cake is great. The CAKE letters are especially fantastic. I thought they looked reclaimed, but Michelle told me she had them made for the shop.

I will be selling my aprons at the Smash Cake grand opening on Saturday, May 30th. (2961 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago) The event starts at 2 and goes until 6. I am working on child/adult sets, many made from various skull fabrics. I'm really looking forward to being part of this event. It all started with an ad that Michelle posted on Craigslist for crafters to sell items in her bakery, which led to the reality show aprons, then the order of 20 aprons – who knows what might happen next!

Mae's Apron

I'm just a little bit embarrassed to admit that this is the first apron I have made for Mae. She has asked before, but always in a general way - and recently I named one after her - that kinda counts, right?? Not really.

Yesterday I was thinking that I really need a child's full apron in my line, and she walked up and said "mom, can you make an apron for me now?" What good timing! She picked out the fabric for the body, and today she designed a pocket:


Pocket detail.

Bib detail.

We had so much fun making this apron. She did a lot of the cutting, and turned the pocket. I showed her all of my apron making secrets as I was sewing. We also put the design in my pattern book. She didn't lose interest until the end, so I just finished it and presented it to her after lunch. She just loves it. I asked her if she will be getting it dirty and she said "of course mom, that's what an apron's for!" well amen to that!

Today's Bleeding Heart Bakery and "The Chicas Project" Adventure

Yasmin and Crash on the set of "The Chicas Project".

I put some aprons at Bleeding Heart Bakery a few months ago. A few weeks later I got an inquiry from Tsahai, a producer of "The Chicas Project", she was interested in some aprons for Yasmin and Crash, the Chicas! (they were going to be shooting a segment of their reality show at the shop).

Callie Black pocket detail.

Tsahai finally decided on the Callie Black Full apron for Crash, and the Florence apron for Yasmin. She asked me if I could bring them to the shoot at the bakery. The shoot was today: I took the aprons she ordered, a handful of other styles, and a bag of goodies. The girls loved the aprons that I made for them - Tsahai chose well! Everyone at the shoot was really nice, and made a fuss over my aprons - thankfully I remembered to bring lots of PN business cards!

Yasmin's Florence Apron

I gave Tsahai and Michelle (the owner of the bakery) each a vintage hankie as a thank you for the opportunity. I also had a Callie Blue Child's Apron with me, and Michelle bought that one for her daughter who is almost 3. One of the producers asked me if I make anything else - (I could see the wheels turning in her head!) I told her I make bags and hats and said "I can make just about anything and I love a challenge - call me!"

I keep thinking about what a random and funny world we live in - Tsahai would never have seen my aprons if they hadn't been at the bakery, and my aprons would not have been at the bakery if I hadn't seen Michelle's post on craigslist for crafters to place items in her shop. It all worked out so nicely, and left me with the nicest feeling of fitting in to the random world, somewhere!

Lovely Pillow from She's Sew Slye

Cat at She's Sew Slye is having a weekly giveaway and I was the lucky winner last week! She sent me this beautiful pillow made from a vintage crazy quilt square. I put it on our back porch, which I just cleaned for spring. The pillow has all my favorite colors: blue and brown, with a little red and gold - it's just lovely, thanks Cat!

Nona Lou Apron

Just thrifted this fantastic vintage apron! It was manufactured by Nona Lou. 2 things give away it's status as manufactured: the tag obviously, but the other thing to look for is the perfect serger stitch - few home sewers had sergers.

I love the combination of colors, the print is amazing - check out the cats and the purple upside-down trees! The use of the black ric-rac is perfect. It's just terrific design overall.

This Nona Lou apron is gathered the same way I gather my waistband aprons - only at the hips with the center flat.

Terry Cloth Kismet

For my first order from my apron update last week Janice M. ordered the Irene, and Genevieve aprons. I also included a vintage apron with her order (after finding out whether she preferred a half or full practical, or a half fun/sexy. She went with a half practical). I went through my stash and picked out the apron I thought she would like (kicking myself for not taking a picture of it!). It was a full gathered/waistband apron made from and unusual crest fabric. It turns out that the crest looked a little like her family crest - a very nice coincidence, or as I told her, further proof that I have a spooky sixth sense when it comes to matching the textile to the person!

Janice also asked if I had any terrycloth aprons, which I don't. Vintage terrycloth aprons are usually made from hand towels and were popular in the 60s and 70s. I have never found a really nice one still in good condition. I think the terrycloth apron was usually used for the really dirty work, and terrycloth doesn't age as well as woven cotton. After getting Janice's email my daughter and I went out to do some thrift shopping, and what should I find but a lovely terrycloth apron with a wonderful rooster on the front in beautiful gently-used condition!* Put something out in the universe, and someone just might find it and pick it up!

*it's not made from a handtowel, and looks like it was made from a kit.

Symbolic Goodbye to Winter

Yes, it's about 17 degrees outside, but for me winter is over when I put away the flannel Martha Stewart sheets. I got this set at a deep discount about 10 years ago. Every November when I'm excited for the change of season I take them out of storage and put them on our bed. I love scenic fabric, and this one is terrific - but it's almost St. Patrick's Day and I am ready for spring - so see you next year!

Textile Wash Day, and some FUN NEWS!

Aprons and other kitchen textiles fresh from the dryer and ready for pressing.

I wash my kitchen textiles (aprons, kitchen towels) about once a month. To avoid all of the ties getting tangled up with each other, each apron gets it's ties done in a slip knot. I dry the aprons and towels together for about 25 minutes, taking them out of the dryer when they are still just a little bit damp - this makes pressing go much faster. Some of the aprons can be just hand pressed, but I iron all of the ties. I just can't wear an apron with folded, wrinkled ties.


I store my textiles in two orange crates next to the fridge. The aprons have their own shelf, and there's a spot for the cloth napkins and kitchen towels.

FUN NEWS!

I sent Gabrielle at designmom a link to the spring update for Practically Necessary last week. She wrote a post about it, and Sunday I received my first order from someone who saw the post - Thanks Gabrielle!

Orphan Pockets

I have a small bin of pockets, and pocket parts. These are all pockets I made while I was designing something that just didn't quite work. Some are from Christmas aprons, one is a Bev pocket that I just didn't remember right, and a couple didn't pass inspection by employee #1. I've only used 1 pocket from this stash after the fact, but I hold onto them anyway. You just never know!

Practically Necessary Updated!

I just finished updating PN with lots of new styles, and a clearer focus (I hope!). Please check it out and let me know what you think (and report any bugs or misspellings!). I'm hoping that Jenny fits the bill as "the new Caroline".

Fabric and buckle detail from Jenny.

The fabric has a similar quality - vertical stripes, dark in color, small print. The Jenny fabric also comes out of the dryer looking great, and has a very nice drape. Irene is also new and the fabric is fantastic: the print is adorable, and the soft hand and nice drape make for a very nice apron.

Irene

When I saw the fabric at TROY I recognized it immediately from a child's apron I have in my collection - it's a very good reproduction.

Vintage Child's Apron

Derby Lite is skating in the Forest Park St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday. Yesterday I spent the afternoon with Queen B working on the Giant Rollerskate of World Domination:
Yes, it's a bit of a gearshift to go from sewing sparkly pink vinyl to working on a new apron, but I'm versatile and I love a really BIG project!

New Blue from Practically Necessary

I had a very productive trip to TROY fabrics last week. I was primarily looking for fabric to make my next "Caroline" type apron: easy care cotton, vertical stripes, small print, lots of contrast. I looked at this fabric briefly, then I looked at what seemed like 1,000 bolts of fabric. I came back to this one and decided it was the one. I also picked out a sweet novelty fabric, and another that I think I will return for a second bolt of the blue stripe. This fabric reminds me of the fabric in my favorite full apron - a thrifted number that was well worn when I got it, and is still going strong.




I hope to update the PN website in the next week or so. I'll include this apron in the update, along with 5 or 6 new styles. I'm still working on a name for the New Blue, If you have any ideas please leave them in a comment - if I choose your suggestion I'll send you something special from PN.

iMac 20 Cozy

The minute I took the styrofoam cover off my new iMac I knew I needed to make a cozy for it. It's reflective black screen shows every spec of dust and kids fingerprint. I considered a few different barkcloths before I decided on this games cloth. I thought the target was just perfect. The backing is black denim, and I made slits for the vents.

I used the styrofoam cover as the pattern, which I will hold onto in the event that someone sees it and realizes just how much they need a computer screen cozy too.

Valentines

I really love to make my own valentines. This year I scored at Paper Source, they had a big selection of red papers and envelopes at 50% off. Each valentine is different and I used 2 of my fabrics: the Who's Counting fabric from one of my aprons, and some vintage car fabric I made a blouse out of a few years ago. I spent a few hours this weekend working on them. I just love to push the little elements around until I am happy with the results, glue it all down, and then move onto the next one. Yesterday it hit 60 degrees - so I rode my Schwinn to the post office and mailed my funny Valentines.

What a Weekend!

I took these pics of our garden house. It's so nice to have a dog to watch the baby, and I sure hope the hazmat guy was able to rid the house of all the asbestos!

A warm weekend in Chicago in February is such a gift! Marc worked in the garden and on the patio slate, Leo and I payed catch on the front sidewalk, and Mae walked home from the movies [she saw Coraline with a friend and loved it!]



Leo after some good "catch".

Marc got alot of prep work done in the garden. We are going to plant vegetables this year so he had to move a lot of rocks!

OMG it's supposed to be 60 tomorrow!!

Little Red Hen #3

I have finished Little Red Hen #3. It's impossible for me to really capture this apron in a photo - this is my best attempt yet. This version has the "Who Will?" in yellow at the request of the buyer - the yellow does read off of the blue better than the red and I'm happy with the way it looks. I hope she is too! I showed my brother-in-law Mike the finished apron last night - he recited some of the lines from the poem, it made my day to see him "get it"!

Those naughty animals! They will get no bread!

Spring Update Preview

Well it's only February 3rd and it's really cold in Chicago today, but I am thinking spring via some new apron styles! I love the way my label looks on the back of "Maryanne".

Maryanne - there will be 2 of these available, she was made from a tablecloth cut right down the middle!

I was working on a new pocket for Mae, when I noticed how perfectly it went with my sewing machine cover! I quickly put together an apron made from the same fabric and I just love the way it looks with the new Mae pocket. I will be able to make about 10 of this one - I call her "Jenny".

"Mae" with her updated pocket, also the pocket for "Jenny"

"Cocktail?" is a one of a kind. I have had the hand-embroidered cloth in my stash for so long (I added cocktail?). It will be part of Collection 2 on Practically Necessary very soon!