Sunday, November 29, 2009

How I Spent Black Friday....And It Wasn't In A Store!

First off, I do not leave the house on Black Friday. The day after Thanksgiving is a day for me to recoup and do things here, with DH, or in the studio. I cannot take the crowds, the traffic nor do I want to end up with a cell mate called "Large Marge"..........nuff said there.
And so, the other day when I was digging--and I do mean DIGGING-- for the instructions for my felting machine, I came across this apron pattern I had purchased in the dark ages and for whatever reason, put in the plastic bag with the machine gizmos.



So I looked it over and it seemed to be a pretty quick sew, and my old aprons have or are currently rotting from age, therefore........



I dug through my scrap bag and pulled some of my favorite pieces, exiled there because I haven't quilted and could not bear to part with them. Also, one large piece that was never cut into for fear of the *Fabric Cutting Police* paying a visit to the studio.......ahem! Any others out there like that???



And, a few hours later, this is what I ended up with! A happy, bright and lively apron, that I made without consulting the instructions for the most part, so there are some things that are different......



I must, absolutely MUST, have a pocket on an apron and I pieced a scrap of batik to make it wide enough to cut the piece, then lined it with a vintage light blue flowery fabric. Yum! The flounce was to be cut as one piece but that took a LOT of fabric, and if I accordian-folded the pattern, I could cut multiple fabrics and have an extra bit of ZING at the bottom! (yes, all those pieces were hemmed with the rolled hem foot first, then pinned with the hem edge matching......and my rolled hem foot hates me, for some reason......I mean, reeeeeally hates me......)



Even the facings and neck strap were made from different favorite leftovers; I wanted all the apron to be special, and definitely *me* when worn, or just hanging in the closet! And best of all, I was able to use up or put a dent in fabric I had lying about. That made me very happy! A scrap apron that just rocks....  :-)
I have to admit I have not sewn for myself in a long time, and eventhough this did not require bodily measurements (thank God!!!) it was sort of odd doing something strictly for me. I had to allow myself to make the apron. I mean, that is NOT right! LOL!!!
Then, I sucked up all my courage and threw one old apron in the garbage and brought the other out to the studio, to try and see if I can cut a pattern from it. Then it goes. Honestly. I promise. For real!
And yes, for those of you wondering, I do have fabrics MUCH BRIGHTER than these.....I was trying to keep from glowing in the dark...well, I do have glow in the dark fabric too, which might have uses for candle lit evenings......
And then there are all the psychedelic prints.....and the skulls and Dia De Los Muertos fabrics.....it is not a bland studio, to say the least!
Hope you've had a few creative minutes yourselves over the holiday, and I am going to have to get the house tended to for Christmas really soon, as my life will get interrupted. Pooey.
Now off with ye, and have a creative day, whatever you get into!

Pax.

35 comments:

yoborobo said...

Anne - it is so beautiful! I love it. I'm so glad you made something just for you. I can imagine you flouncing around your kitchen, stirring up gumbo and brightening the room. :) Love the colors in this! It's just so happy! I'm hitting the Christmas decorations hard tomorrow, and finishing up some projects and then I will HOPEFULLY get some time to make a few things - for fun. :) xoxoxo Pam

Quilt Rat said...

Well this is just too much fun! Hope it puts a smile on your face each time you put it on.

Linda and Michelle said...

Love it! I'm like you - don't sew for myself anymore because of the *%&#^$ measurements - but I could make an apron...not that I do much in the kitchen anymore! My stash too has interesting stuff - I bagged all the calicos a number of years ago and put two large garbage bags on Craigslist - more room for batiks. Making a quilt now that will use only my stash fabrics, and it's been fun to revisit some of them.
Glad your day was a great one! I'm with ya - no Black Friday for me!

Anonymous said...

This apron made my brain cramp..... I am so used to seeing retro kitcheny fabric for aprons!! OMG...I LOVE IT!!
...Little story.... Years ago my daughter worked for a quilting magazine & had to travel to quilt shows. Her first trip to the Houston Quilt Festival brought back some spectacular fabric.... Do you know I still have some that?? I am so fearful to cut as they are actually works of art in themselves?? We actually refer to that stash as THE HOUSTON FABRIC!! How uptight is that?? LOL!!
Have a great day!!
Love,
MArilyn

Anonymous said...

OMG!...What a beautiful surprise!..your apron could inspire me to do some cooking! lol! Maybe thats what i'm lacking!
Pam already said my first thought...seeing you stirring up your special gumbo, wearing your Mardi Gras apron!...love it!
Wonderful seeing you do something fun! Guess i'll have to ck my apron patterns!
XOXO, gypsy

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey PAm,

I'm starting the Christams mess today---running the sweeper, etc. AAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!
I'll probably post a picutre of myself strangled by the sweeper cord tomorrow. Why does this have to be so difficult???? LOL!!!

XXOO!!
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Jill,

It puts a smile on my face just seeing it because it was the first fun sewing time I've had in a while...not work related! You know what I mean..... :)
Now off to the house.
Ick.

XXOO!!
Anne

Alexandra MacVean said...

Good morning, Anne. I absolutely LOVE your apron. I've been eyeing a few at the local stores but yet to purchase one. :)

And I never tackle the crowds the day after T-Day either. Ugh! Not for me.

Happy Sunday!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Linda,

Yes, I thinned my stash several times, but I can't tell it. (which lets you know what a mess it is!)
The apron was just, well, a band-aid!!!
And I refuse to take my waist measurement anymore.....no, no, no.
NO.
And I almost always wear an apron in the studio too, so it'll get used!

XXOO!!
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Oh Marilyn----ROFLMAO!!!!!
That's how most of my stash is!!! Oh--I can't cut THAT. Oh---they don't make THAT anymore!
Hey, make yourself an apron. These are soooo much fun to wear and that pattern is E-Z. Don't think, just cut.
You'll have a ball wearing it!

XXOO!!
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Gypsy, with all the fabric I have seen you use, you could do a stunning apron. Heck, stitch on spare quilt blocks, patch a large piece together and cut from that, go for it!
I really had fun....other than that #%*&ed rolled hem foot...that hates me.... ;)

XXOO!!
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Sophia,

I never buy them because the ones I like are always too expensive. I look at the seams, etc, and decide they are not worth the price, then come home and wear the rotten ones.
In the past two years I have made three new ones; I need at least four more...... :)

XXOO!!
Anne

Anonymous said...

You sprung my from heart this morning. I love it when people go fearlessly into a project like this and allow the creativity to come forth LOUDLY. Your apron is absolutely stunning. YOu and my sister have very similar fabric taste. She is all for the bright loud colors. I like using them in quilts but not on my body. I love your apron and your story equally as much.. especially the Large Marge. Been there, hate going to stores when people push or touch me when I'm hurting. I could so see myself being rude if it were to happen so I avoid the stores for about a week after.

Again, fantastic job on your apron. Hugs. Tammy

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Thanks Tammy----I love traditional quilts, and have a fair amount of the fabric, but then I see these monsterous bright things and am just like a magpie....I grab and run!
I love the thing; it's made fairly well considering it was speed sewing and not reading instructions...well...till I had to!
Now to the house to clean and start the Christmas fervor. (sigh)

XXOO!!
Anne

Deborah said...

Oh Anne, yours is even more lovely than the original pattern. I would love to find that pattern tho... OH PLEASE..the last time I took my measurements when I started Wt. Watchers on Line, I wept. I cried to my daughter, who has boobs that big and she said, apparently you. That was about the same time I found out my caloric intake for the day was three calories. Anywhooooo,I'm right there with you...left my home for the first time last night to have Mexican food with our neighbors. It's been a lovely long weekend. **kisskiss** Deb

Jan said...

Sometimes reading the instructions is a lesson in frustration. Experienced sewers can do better just looking and stitching I find. This one turned out wonderful and what a good feeling to use up a teensy bit of your stash! Lovely stash it is too. Good job and looks like it was fun also.

teri said...

Anne
that apron is soooo wonderful!!!!!!
you need to get DH to photo you wearing this rockin' creation!!!!
I usualy start sewing around this time of the year but still have lots to do at the Pear Tree before Christmas!!!
Have a great Sunday
teri

Georgina said...

I LOVE IT!!!Anne, your just too talented for this world!!! Come visit mine!!!hehehehe!!! I know what you mean by the Black Friday...people camping out at Best Buy or Target...maroooons!!! I too stayed indoors also in fear of my possible cellmate, Big Bertha!

Got my Christmas Worms done for the little guys, now have to come up with a story, which is already outlined in my head...just have to do research now.

Have a creative day and week. This is my last day of solitude. DH comes home tomorrow, and I pick up the Ian boy on Thurs. and have him till the end of the 1st weekend of Jan. but looking forward to seeing my Penis Posse in less than a month...can't wait to hold that little Chubman and get puke on me!!! Loave it!!

Love ya,
G

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Deborah---I am sure it is still available; it is a See and Sew #B5125.
I had to laugh with the measurement comment; I just cut the biggest one for myself... :)
LOL!!!

XXOO!!
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Jan, you know my stash.
I could sew a bazillion, and have fabric left.
But a tiny portion was USED!!!!
YAY!!!! :)

XXOO!!
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Teri,

I've been trying to get DH to photograph the stockings I knit (yes, full length) and he always finds something else to do, which usually involves sports and TV, where he is now.
Someday......maybe......
Hope you get the Pear Tree done in time to actually enjoy yourself!

XXOO!!
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Ah Georgina---what a hoot!!! HAd me laughing from the get go!
I anticipate little creative time this week, though I am going to try and squirm some in. I have put off things to do/get/list presurgery and that is what I want to accomplish this week. Then I can mentally rest.
Not mentally get arrested. >:)
Off to finish the mini-tree....this is soooooo not me.
Hope you've enjoyed your *solitude*!!!

XXOO!!
Anne

di from di-did-it said...

oh, how fun is that apron?! love it. gorgeous colors and patterns. and good for you for making something just for you!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Great apron! If I cooked, I'd make one too, but DH refuses to wear one AND does the cooking so there's no hope.
However, I have a mental image going on - a glow-in-the-dark apron, high heels and subtle candlelight and CHOCOLATE!!!

Anonymous said...

Wooohooo..help is on the way! lol! Here is a link to order the apron pattern!...its still available! $2.99 USD..

http://www.butterick.com/list/yes_its_easy_see_sew/page-6.htm

I ordered it today!..i suppose i could have gone to fabric store to find it..but, its soooo nice to sit in my nightie and just "order" haha!

Depends on what luck i have making it...might be a neat item for my Etsy shop...i am still wondering what my "niche" will be there...started out with things i have on hand, but that may change!
Oh, geeze,Anne...you may want the apron for your future Etsy shop..gosh! well..it would certainly be a while..we can "talk" lol!
thanks for sharing the pattern cover with us too...i never dreamed it would still be available!... gypsy

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Di,

Yes, the apron was just a *fun* thing, and I do so like it! I might make another even louder one....yes....it's possible! LOL!!!

XXOO!!
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey MA,

LOL!!!! I can see that too!!! What a hoot---if I was just a few years (well, like 20!) younger I would try it!
I think Champagne should be included in that combo, with the chocolate. And GOOD chocolate too!
Ah, this was most funny!!! LOL!!

XXOO!!
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Gypsy, dear, if you want to make aprons for your store, go for it!!! I used to do them for a shop and that's why I was wearing the rotted aprons; I did NOT want to see one for a while. But this one was fancy without being a pain. Which is a good combo.
Thanks for providing the link for folks, especially those of us too lazy to get out! (i.e. ME) I love to shop in my Jammies. It's so easy......sigh.....

XXOO!!
Anne

marianne said...

darling! glad you got to play!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Me too! Now to get the real work done, so I can play again!!! LOL!!
Not enough play time anymore....

XXOO!!
Anne

Leslie said...

Way to cute and of course, as I am a twin daughter of a different mother, I have the pattern somewhere and will now have to make it. AbFab, darling!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Leslie----LOL!!!!!
Seriously, t's pretty easy, even if you DO follow the instructions! I think the version that ties at the waist could lend itself to lots of possibilities in patched fabrics.....just sew a bunch then cut the shape and have the flounce in one fabric.
My brain won't shut off this and turn on to what I need it for today.....

XXOO!!
Anne

Bunny said...

You did a fantastic job on your apron it is beautiful and I love the colours. Just gorgeous.

audrey said...

For you, Anne, it makes sense that only a WOWZA apron would do! It is fabulous!!! You will have fun making gumbo while wearing it. Or is it jumbo? or yumbo? lol!
audrey

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Audrey....it's *me*....what can I say????? ;)

XXOO!!
Anne

Post a Comment

Talk to me Dahling!
I'm waiting, breathless...... ;-D