An Orignal Design

This is my sweetheart apron. Scalloped edges and a sweetheart neckline. All edged in a dark pink/rose gingham. The tulip pockets echo the neckline. The main fabric of this apron is denim.

I make a lot of aprons out of lighter weight denim. Why have an apron if it's not going be do the job of protecting you while you cook or clean or whatever?

My etsy store is empty for now. I'm working on some new items for it. It's a wonder I can get any sewing done at all. In my garden, the green beans are ready to be picked, the tomatoes are ripe and the squash are nearly ready. And it all needs to be weeded. Got lots of banana peppers too.

Last night I did the "let's not mess up a bunch of pots and pans" dinner. I already had rice cooked from earlier in the day. I sauteed boneless chicken breast with onions and mushrooms and a shot of terriyaki sauce and some Mrs. Dash seasoning mix (we have to watch the sodium). When the chicken reach about 170 degrees F, I took it out and put it in a bowl with a lid to steam a bit. Then I sliced up 2 squash and 2 zucchini, sauteed with a bit of Smart Balance margarine. The liquid from the squash de-glazed the pan. I added a few cherry tomatoes and cooked until done. Then I added the chicken back in and heated for a few minutes. During the last 2 or 3 minutes of cooking, I sprinkled parmesan cheese on the squash.

This was really good. The squash, onions, mushrooms and tomatoes just taste like summer.

I have a KitchenAid commercial grade non-stick saute pan, about 14 inches in size. It came from Target. If you cook, you need one of these. It's great. Nothing sticks and it's so non-stick, when you rinse it out, there's only a drop or two or water left in it. Just remember to always wash it out by hand and don't use oil in it except as a seasoning element. It's perfect for cooking in one pan dinners.

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Aprons from NeedlesandPens Blog

Here are the aprons posted to the now defunct needlesandpens.wordpress.com blog.

Form and Function



This is such a practical design. The overlay is divided into three sections. This makes up the pockets. It might look a little blue in the photo, but it's actually purple. I was shooting in the middle of the day.

This apron is made from purple denim and a nice cotton print. It's an economical design as well. It would take about a yard if you were to make it in just one fabric. I used bias tape for accent but you could get away with hemming the edges.

If you're having an apron attack, check out the give away over at the apronista blog. You can get your choice from Rick Rack Attack, but the contest ends today.

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Flouncy Apron



Another 1955 model! Kindly modeled by my neighbor. The top is denim and the rest is a print. You can't see it, but there is a small ruffle around the print skirt. Yes, those are yo-yo's on the pockets.

Another one from the Progressive Farmer pattern.

I made this one for my mother. It looks just like something she'd pick out for herself.

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Two Pocket Retro Look



This was a nice one to make. It was quick, but it sure looks retro. It's very similar to one of my mother's patterns from the 50's. You can find this pattern online at:

http://www.quamut.com/quamut/sewing_project_vintageinspired_apron

You can either enlarge the image until it's the right size or use a grid to make a new pattern. I had to enlarge about 500%. You can use MS Paint to print it out. Keep in mind that there will be no registration marks and it's a lot like putting a puzzle together.

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1955 Model




Here it is. The pattern is one of my mother's. I even took out some of the width or the thing would have been about 70 inches gathered up to about 25 inches. And lots and lots of bias tape. The pockets are under the peaks and button to keep them from gapping.

A cute design - it looks like the 50's - doesn't it?

The Move

This is the first post for my new blog. My old blog, needlesandpens.wordpress.com is no more. Needles and Pens is the name of an art gallery in San Francisco. Who knew! I'm on the east coast and never heard of the place, but some folks are confusing the names and assuming that I'm connected with the gallery.

So the new blog is named after my grandmother, Dovie. She was a kind women, who sewed, cooked, canned, played the piano, knitted, did embroidery and made biscuits that nearly floated off the plate. (Also, Dovie as a name is unusal enough that it's not already taken on the internet!)

The next post will contain a synopis of the post from the needlesandpen blog.
Thanks for bearing with me.