Aprons

I have been sewing a lot lately to make sure I get the aprons for my swaps done on time. I also decided to make aprons for both of the girls' teachers for end of the year gifts (Jill -- if you are reading this, just act surprised tomorrow. If you don't want to see it, just stop reading now.). I am to the point where no two aprons are totally alike because I know enough that I can alter patterns and try new things. Sometimes those things work, other times they don't.

First, I made this apron for my other swap. This apron just had to be summer themed and I didn't get any input from my partner, so this is what I came up with:

I found the "pattern" here. And I found a pair of old lady jeans at a yard sale for a quarter. PERFECT. I had purchased the pink and green fabrics a while ago and just loved the little patterns and the changes in shades. Together they just reminded me of watermelon. So I made the pocket into a slice of watermelon! Quite creative, if I do say so myself. The watermelon seeds were my first attempt at applique, and it shows. But I think they still look okay. Again, this is why I like aprons. No one is wearing it to the prom. I am also putting a grilling cookbook in the box and a WHOLE bunch of watermelon flavored gum and candy. So even if she doesn't like the taste of that stuff, the box will smell good. I should get it out in the mail this week.

Jillise's teacher is a cowgirl at heart and grew up on a little ranch. So the dusty pinks and browns of these fabrics made me think they might be a good fit for her. And being a first grade teacher, the ruggedness of denim would probably be appreciated. I experimented with ruffles on this one and added a little pencil pocket. I think it turned out really cute. And despite the pictures, both aprons ARE symmetrical. My lovely ironing board model makes it look a little wonky.

And finally, this is the apron I made for our beloved Teacher Jill. She was Jillise's preschool teacher and now she has Joelle. The adore her. She told Joelle her favorite color is purple, so I took Joelle with me to pick out the fabrics. I made this pattern up, based on an apron I have made before and some things I have seen online. I like the curved bottom and the ruffles that go right up to the tie in the back. Because of the ruffles I didn't want to add much more to the apron for fear that it would look too overdone, but I think the little purple flower pin adds just the right touch.

I still have three other aprons in the works that will be done... eventually. I told Brian that we WILL be painting the living room this weekend (yay -- no more color going halfway up the walls). The half completed project is totally my fault. But I am anxious to get it done. Today we are just hunkering down. Joelle has a bad cold and today her eyes are really red and weepy so for fear of spreading something to the rest of the world I think we will stay in. Heaven knows I have enough housework to do to keep me busy.