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Stitching & Crafting Room:  new apron projects  |
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Aunt George
True Blue Farmgirl
1476 Posts
Georgann
Midlothian
VA
1476 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 17 2006 : 7:03:45 PM
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I went to Office Depot tonight and had the MaryJane pattern enlarged 400 percent. I will make a test run pattern and then adjust it to size for the Rubanesque Farmgirl such as myself! I picked up some $2/yard blue rose fabric and white on white fabric for the bias tape. I'm going to make my own for this apron.
Can hardly wait to see your MJ fabrics and aprons!
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katie-ell
True Blue Farmgirl
1818 Posts
Katie
Illinois
1818 Posts |
Posted - Jun 18 2006 : 04:03:14 AM
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| So fun to read these posts -- Sunshine, Aunt George: You referenced a box from Carson Pirie Scott: That's a major department store in Chicago, similar to Marshall Field's. Carson's has been here forever and has a wonderful downtown store designed by Louis Sullivan and has ironwork that looks like filigree lace. It makes sense that someone would save an old box from the store. This is just fyi. I will now continue my lurking. |
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Aunt George
True Blue Farmgirl
1476 Posts
Georgann
Midlothian
VA
1476 Posts |
Posted - Jun 18 2006 : 05:30:05 AM
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Katie-ell,
I grew up in Moline Illinois and as a child went to the movies at a theater downtown called: The Paradise theater. Right across the street was a department store called Carson Pirie Scott. They actually had an escalator...the only one in town at the time. I loved going in there, but it was far too expensive for us at the time. They also had the only girl scout uniform shop in town, so I was thrilled to go in there to get my first brownie cap and sash! I remember my favorite thing they ever did was present a miniature dollhouse show....oh, my goodness to a 10 year old girl in 1968, that was heaven!! Looking at all the miniature rooms behind the glass display cases, oh...I'll never forget. I'm so glad they are still operating in Chicago. Wish we had one in Virginia.
Thanks,
Georgann |
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
Posted - Jun 18 2006 : 10:06:57 AM
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to aunt george I posted a photo of me and my family on the what do you look like foram if you want to see what my kids look like and I guess me as well
have a lovely day |
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katie-ell
True Blue Farmgirl
1818 Posts
Katie
Illinois
1818 Posts |
Posted - Jun 18 2006 : 11:12:08 AM
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| Aunt George -- We have the downtown Carson's and then some suburban stores, too. I can imagine the thrill of seeing those miniature dollhouse rooms . . . have you ever seen the Thorne miniature rooms in the Art Institute, Chicago? Amazingly wee! |
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sandyb
Farmgirl in Training
10 Posts
Sandy
California
USA
10 Posts |
Posted - Jun 18 2006 : 4:23:09 PM
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I love the old style aprons. Yours are great. I went to a garage sale a neighbor was having. They had 8 50's style aprons, all different designs. Originals & just like new, all starched & ruffly. I asked what they wanted & they said $1 each so I snapped them up. I can wear a different one every day. 
Sandy B
http://www.berryvinedesigns.com
* enjoy * dream * create * live * |
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Carolinagirl
True Blue Farmgirl
486 Posts
Kim
Rutherfordton
NC
USA
486 Posts |
Posted - Jun 18 2006 : 6:24:39 PM
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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v507/uscwriter/Summer%2006/apron.jpg
Here's my first apron (and the last picture of the girls before they met their untimely demise). I am pleased with it, other than that I cut too close to the vertical seams on the sashes and they are coming apart! I can doctor them with ribbon or rick rack, so I'll probably do that soon.
Anyway, just wanted to show it off.
Kim in NC |
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Aunt George
True Blue Farmgirl
1476 Posts
Georgann
Midlothian
VA
1476 Posts |
Posted - Jun 18 2006 : 8:23:54 PM
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Sandy B, you lucky girl. Sure wish I could find a treasure like that for a buck each!! Wow, wow, wow. Would love to see them, Can you post them somewhere?
Katie-ell, Never been to see those wee rooms, but I would love to! I'll put that on my list of things to see next time I go home to Illinois. Wow, didn't know there were so many Carsons still out there. I'll have to see if they have a web site. Thanks again.
Sunshine....You and your daughters are so, so sweet. You are as I imagined. The aprons are in the works. I think they are going to be really pretty. I decided on doing Minerva Jane aprons for your daughters because they grow so fast, they can get longer use from the Minerva Janes. There will be a special surprise for you too. Oh, I am behind because I developed an infection in my left hand, but it is clearing now. I had lots of pain and could barely use my left hand Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I start my new job tomorrow too. So I will be sewing at night for a while.
Oh, your mother of pearl buttons came Saturday. They are precious!
Hugs and lots of love,
Georgann |
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CFlohe
True Blue Farmgirl
169 Posts
Cheryl
Port Angeles
WA
USA
169 Posts |
Posted - Jun 18 2006 : 8:43:05 PM
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I found my Mom's sewing machine finally!! I searched this house so many times with no luck and I already searched the pole barn the other day, really didn't think it would be up there because the machine is very heavy but I was out of places to look and I found it! I've got to weigh that thing. I'm going to search online and see what year that model of Morse was made but I think she said she bought it new when she was working for a fabric store and that would be around 1970. I still haven't got the chance to cut out the pieces for the Mary Jane Apron. I hope it won't end up being too small for me but I don't know how to adjust the pieces for a bigger size. I think the apron I made that I'm wearing said 10-12, I'm probably in a 12 at least. I gained 15lbs since we came home from visiting Michigan last summer and I'm really feeling it. If the weather would ever warm up here I could do some yardwork and lose a little. Today it was barely 50 on the front porch and very breezy but at least it didn't rain like it has been.
Sunshine, still haven't sent out your buttons but I'll probably get them out in the next day or two. I found a Farmgirl Chapter in the next town over and emailed her a couple times, we're talking about going to pick strawberries sometime this week. It's just her and me so far, she sounds really nice.
Cheryl |
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Aunt George
True Blue Farmgirl
1476 Posts
Georgann
Midlothian
VA
1476 Posts |
Posted - Jun 18 2006 : 9:06:54 PM
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Cheryl,
Yay! You found it! I know you will love sewing on your mom's machine. Hopefully it is still running okay, might need some oil and TLC.
I cut out the 400% MJ's pattern and it fits easily around a 28 inch waist with a little room to spare. It should fit size 12 just fine.
I will be working on altering it for up to size 20 to 22 over the next week. I have been looking at it and thinking about it and I think I know how to do it while preserving the integrity of the shape.
Gosh, wish it were 50's here. I am a cold weather girl. It is high 80's and low 90's here....Hot, hot, hot and our air is not really the greatest, so we are open with fans...comfortable, but don't know for how long though.
Have fun with the Farmgirl berry picking. That is so nice that you found a farmgirl so close. Have lots of fun!! Berry picking is over here in the South. The pumpkin vines are really up and doing well though.
Gotta get some sleep. Working on 5 aprons right now, the MJ and 4 Minerva Janes.
Later,
Georgann |
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CFlohe
True Blue Farmgirl
169 Posts
Cheryl
Port Angeles
WA
USA
169 Posts |
Posted - Jun 18 2006 : 11:41:37 PM
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I sure hope it will have lots of room to spare, I haven't had a 28 inch waist since probably high school. I've had 5 babies since then so I'll probably never see 28 inch waist again. Can't wait to work on aprons tomorrow! I'll hopefully be able to post some pictures. I've been wearing my apron alot and love it!
Cheryl |
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Aunt George
True Blue Farmgirl
1476 Posts
Georgann
Midlothian
VA
1476 Posts |
Posted - Jun 19 2006 : 8:27:53 PM
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Just finished The Kathy Enchanted apron. Inspiration just spilled out tonight and there it was!
Cheryl, I'll be glad to send you a full sized copy of the apron after I alter it and make up a test apron in the Abundant Blessings size. (the size I wear!) If you will email me your waist and bust measurments, I'll try to get it as close as I can to you personally. I've been wearing my green Minerva Jane alot too. I'm beginning to feel naked without it!
Hugs and stitching wishes
Georgann |
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CFlohe
True Blue Farmgirl
169 Posts
Cheryl
Port Angeles
WA
USA
169 Posts |
Posted - Jun 19 2006 : 10:34:14 PM
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I'm getting to wear my apron so much too that it becomes habit to have it on and I'm just waiting for the day that I end up wearing it to the grocery store!
Cheryl |
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Nancy Gartenman
True Blue Farmgirl
9094 Posts
Nancy
West Seneca
New York
USA
9094 Posts |
Posted - Jun 20 2006 : 04:27:50 AM
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GEORGANN
I have one suggestion for all these great aprons you are making. put your name and date on them someplace, I mean between your writing and sewing you could be famous one day, and unless your name and date is on the aprons you make, how are we suppose to sell them for any big amount of money.HA.
NANCY JO |
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CFlohe
True Blue Farmgirl
169 Posts
Cheryl
Port Angeles
WA
USA
169 Posts |
Posted - Jun 20 2006 : 09:55:37 AM
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That's a great idea to put your name and date on the aprons! What I wouldn't give to have an apron that my Mom or Grandma had worn or made with their name and date on it.
Cheryl |
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
Posted - Jun 20 2006 : 10:20:52 AM
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If you embroider it would be cute on a pocket to do a monogram and the date
have a lovely day |
Edited by - sunshine on Jun 20 2006 10:21:14 AM |
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
Posted - Jun 21 2006 : 10:03:05 PM
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I like your new apron on your post blog I think it is cute with the plain and flowers nice combo
have a lovely day |
Edited by - sunshine on Jun 22 2006 06:51:39 AM |
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
Posted - Jun 22 2006 : 8:06:48 PM
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I have a question I noticed you made a muslin pattern of your new apron. I am curious do you always do this before making a new pattern I think that is kind of neat. It is simple and plain yet pretty. It would be a good surface to work embroidery on. As it would stand out so well against such a simple background. If your sewing machine has a hemstitching feature you could even crochet a lace edge to the bottom straight into the fabric. ( hemstitching is a way of making evenly spaced holes to crochet into just like on your blue embroidered hand pillow cases on your site they where hemstitched that is why the crochet stitching is so neat. Just thought it was a good idea it would be cute with differnt saying for differnt days if you have lots of muslin aprons just like what ladies use to do for their dish towles. Just an FYI
have a lovely day |
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Aunt George
True Blue Farmgirl
1476 Posts
Georgann
Midlothian
VA
1476 Posts |
Posted - Jun 22 2006 : 8:48:36 PM
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Hmmm....I've never hemstitched. I don't know if my machine can do it. I'll have to try to figure that one out. Didn't know there was a way to make those holes like that. I make the muslin prototypes just when working out more complex aprons. I sent some plain muslin to my mother and she is embroidering some pockets for me with some pretty ornate flowers. She just got a whopper of a fabulous embroidery machine. I am trying to work out some nice patterns to use the pockets on. When I do the simple half aprons, I never use a pattern. I just choose a waist measurement to sew it for, take 3/4 of that measurement for the waistband. I eyeball the width of the waistband...doesn't have to be exact, and eyeball the ties both width and length. The skirt part of the apron I'll either use it with selvedges on each side or at waist and hem depending on how much fabric I have or how long I want the skirt. I have sketched out 4 different apron patterns that I am going to try to pattern out. I hope I can do it. I love sewing from patterns, but I would also like to design some of my own or at least reproduce ones I see into a larger woman's size.
Well, thanks for the great ideas, and I've got to get some sleep. Getting over a whopper cold...of course I get it the day I start a new job...argh...so I am behind with everything I had planned to get doen this week.
Thankyou, I hope you have a lovely Friday!
Georgann |
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
Posted - Jun 23 2006 : 07:35:30 AM
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TO Aunt george
I hope your daughters has a lovely birthday. If you rmother has a machine that can embroider it can probably do hemstitching to but I don't think she lives near you does she. It is typically a real nice machine ( thousands of dollars machine) that does this I don't have one. 75 years ago it was a separate machine altogether just like sergers now days. I hope you get to feeling better soon.
have a lovely day |
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Aunt George
True Blue Farmgirl
1476 Posts
Georgann
Midlothian
VA
1476 Posts |
Posted - Jun 24 2006 : 9:16:36 PM
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Thank you we had a wonderful family birthday day. She is worn out as am I! I have finished another apron. This is an Abundant Blessings apron. It is styled after the Amish Canning aprons worn by Amish and Mennonite Farmgirls. It is about a size 22 to 24 with extra room so there is NO binding anywhere. It stays put and doesn't pull on the shoulders at all. It could also be easily worn by a 16 to 18 farmgirl. Just wrap the tie around the waist and tie in front. Then you could drape a towel over the ties to wipe your hands on while canning! The tie will wrap a 22 to 24 waist too. The back is open so it will help keep you cool even while using a water bath for canning! Hope you enjoy!
Georgann
http://auntgeorgeshouse.blogspot.com/ |
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
Posted - Jun 24 2006 : 9:18:19 PM
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I just saw your new creation You really should start drafting your own patterns to sell you are talented and could make extra money from home
have a lovely day |
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Aunt George
True Blue Farmgirl
1476 Posts
Georgann
Midlothian
VA
1476 Posts |
Posted - Jun 24 2006 : 10:26:51 PM
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Sunshine....you are just that! Pure sunshine. Thank you so much for your support! Your package will be in the mail next Friday. I know that seems far off, but it is the soonest I can get to the post office. I am still working on one of the little aprons. The buttons came in and they are really pretty. Kind of small, but perhaps you can still use them!
Thanks again, and thanks for looking at my blog!
Georgann |
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Kathigene
True Blue Farmgirl
160 Posts
Kathy
New York
160 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2006 : 07:18:12 AM
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Georgann,
I agree with sunshine. Do you know how hard it is to find plus size apron patterns? Your's are so nice, I would certainly buy them if they were available. As much as I would like to see you kept as a secret known only by farm girls, perhaps you could contact the big pattern companies to see if they would buy some of your patterns. Of course they probably wouldn't bother to make them in the plus sizes.
And I would love a lesson in draftng my own patterns. Did you start with a book that gave you the basics or did it just come to you naturally? I am a pretty experienced sewer but I have never tried to make my own patterns. I have lots of ideas but I've never had the confidence to just go with it.
I've been lurking but I just had to say how beautiful your aprons are and that I at a size 22 would love to be able to purchase your patterns.
Kathy
Dogs make such good friends because they wag their tails rather then their tongues. |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2006 : 3:03:47 PM
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Georgann- I love your aprons and your blog!! I usually check it out every couple of days to find yet new and more wonderful treasures. Let me echo the others- you need to be making patterns and start selling them!! I would buy one for sure. I have broad shoulders,and nothing fits me well. It would be great to have a pattern that would fit from day one.
Karin |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: new apron projects |
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new apron projects
