It's A Cover Up!
Last March I finally got around to making myself a crossback apron from the Purl Soho Pattern. I had been given a piece of vintage linen and it was just what I needed for the project.
I love it! I slip it on as soon as I come home from church on a Sunday, and set about preparing lunch- knowing my smart clothes are safely covered. The deep pockets hold lots - a phone, a hanky, a tea towel... And it doesn't come undone.
I've mastered getting it on and off too, so if the doorbell goes, I can remove my apron in seconds and greet my visitors looking spick and span.
But I wanted another one - I wear this one so much and I need one for when it is in the laundry.
This week I have made another. Not in linen - but using an old tablecloth. I am very fond of this, I purchased it in an Italian Street Market 18 years ago, when I visited Florence with Steph. The colourful print features various fruits, with their names in different European Languages
I don't really need the cloth anymore -and there are a couple of small ineradicable stains- and I am very conscious of them when the table is laid. But it still sparks joy as I remember that fantastic holiday.
So I cut the cloth up and sewed it into another cross-back apron.
I cut carefully, making sure the pattern was properly centred. It's a complex pattern and took around 3½ hours from start to finish. But it was worth the effort. The enclosed French seams will make it long lasting.[I don't think there is enough fabric left over to make a mini version for Rosie though.]
I have a new apron, in the old fabric. Joy all round!
If I am into decluttering household linens, I shall have to follow the examples of Sue and Sue and sort my teatowels next!
Upcycling, congratulations it looks fantastic and so well made.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteWhat a lovely idea, to turn that favorite table cloth into an apron! If tea towels are the same as what we call kitchen towels, here, then, I did that, earlier today! I went through my table cloths, kitchen towels, placemats, etc. Looking for items to declutter. The only thing I could think of decluttering is an old, printed table cloth, which is being used, right now, to cover the jigsaw puzzle to discourage Dancer from working on it when I am not working on it, myself!
ReplyDeleteYes I think tea towels are the same as kitchen towels (used to dry crockery after washing up) I have far too many!
DeleteThey look great! Maybe you could use some of the leftover material to trim a plain apron for Rosie?
ReplyDeleteShe's really keen on baking with Liz at the moment . This week they did cheese scones. A new apron would make a good birthday gift in a few weeks' time.
DeleteAlways loved this style of apron. Did you print off the pattern pieces or just cut them 'freehand'?My teatowel drawer refuses to close now so off to see what the remedy would be. Have a good weekend,Angela.x
ReplyDeleteThe Purl Soho pattern is very easy to mark out -all based on rectangles. I used a Frixon Pen to draw these straight onto the cloth. No need for a paper pattern. The instructions are very clear too. But even doing it a second time took around 4 hours
DeleteI love this! My mother and grandmother always wore this kind of pinny and I would love one for myself.
ReplyDeleteIt is a very traditional design, which has definitely stood the test of time
DeleteSuch a lovely design. I have a denim one from Muji that I bought in the sale years ago and - apart from a few interesting stains - it still looks good
ReplyDelete