I'm still here. Really. And crafting, I swear. I'm excited to share some book bags I'm making for the girls for our outings to the library. I'm almost done with the first one, and--I'm such a geek--I literally squeal every time I look at it.
In the meantime ...
I stopped in at The Top Stitch fabric store today to take some photos for an article I'm working on about men who sew. In addition to the one dude at a sewing machine I was there to photograph, there was a gaggle of women finishing up some Emmeline aprons.
The Emmeline is designed by Meg over at Sew Liberated (formerly Montessori by Hand). Really, truly, have you ever seen a more lovely apron? Anything with an empire waist is a friend of mine.
I can't believe I haven't bought that pattern yet, but I can't quite justify it yet since I have plenty of aprons in good shape right now. Maybe I'll spill some marinara on a few so I can move the Emmeline up my to-do list.
Check out the creations these ladies made in the meantime, though, including this gal who wrapped hers around her 9-month pregger belly. Too cute.
And shop owner Carrie Jarvis demonstrates how the Emmeline is reversible. Use this side for cooking ...
... then when the guests arrive, flip it over.
I love those fabrics and the aprons are adorable! I finally recieved a totally cute vintage looking hand made apron for Christmas this year and used it today. It worked, I didn't get so much as a hit of powdered sugar on my shirt. I also just discovered the most adorable pattern from my grandma's patern stash for an aporn that looks a bit like a tulip. Even the pockets are tulip shaped. I'm thinking I'm going to have to give it a try. :)
Posted by: Karla W. | February 02, 2009 at 12:46 AM
That sounds adorable, Karla! If you make it, send me a photo so I can post it here.
I have some of my grandma's old patterns, too, along with some of her ric rak (sp?) and ribbons I've been dying to use. I wish there were more hours in the day for creativity!!
FYI--I think most of those fabrics are Amy Butler designs. You might be able to find them in your neck of the woods. The Top Stitch also sells its fabric online.
Posted by: Megan | February 02, 2009 at 12:45 PM
I looooove that apron. Really, love it. And I think what I love the most is the pattern coupled with the fabric that the pregnant woman is modeling (so cute!). Mimi, I'd pay you to make me that one in that fabric! Like you don't already have enough to do... xoxo
Posted by: Nis | February 02, 2009 at 10:32 PM
I'd love to make you the apron, Nis! Don't even think about paying me. It might be a couple of weeks before I tackle it. I just took on a new project--sewing Little Orphan Annie costumes for Bo and her friend, who is having her fifth birthday party this weekend. The Broadway musical was in town this weekend, so we're all head over heels for Annie right now. Two costumes for each girl: one for Annie's time in the orphanage and, of course, the little red number with the white collar and waistband.
Posted by: Megan | February 02, 2009 at 11:16 PM
I LOVE that you girls are loving Annie! MK loves it too and in fact has already been telling us for a few months that she wants to be Annie for Halloween. :) Not sure if it will last that long or if she'll have a new obsession by the fall...you know how tastes change when you are a little one! Was the musical great? We watch the movie a lot but they swear (yikes! they say "gd" in it...) so I'm kinda iffy on it recently. My kid is sassy enough without cussing added in. I do so covet that apron......is the fabric spendy?!
Posted by: Nis | February 03, 2009 at 12:16 PM
I just found your blog, and was so excited to find links to cool crafty places around town. I'm new to the area so I loved seeing this. I really want to make an emmeline apron, it's next on my list!
Posted by: Becca | February 04, 2009 at 12:22 PM
Welcome, Becca! I'm glad you found me. And welcome to Spokane, too. You might want to check out the blog I write for the Spokesman-Review, too. It tends to be more locally focused.
http://www.downtoearthnw.com/blogs/dwellwellnw/
Nis, the musical version of Annie was great. I remember seeing it as a little girl and it lived up to the memory. It's amazing how talented the young actors are. The littlest one couldn't have been more than 5 years old and she was phenomenal. Boston was in awe. There's one scene where Sandy the dog (a real dog) comes on stage lost and all alone looking for Annie--a sad moment--and Boston burst into tears. You could hear her bawling throughout the whole theater. It was the cutest thing. I finally had to tell her that Sandy finds Annie at the end so she'd stop crying.
Posted by: Megan | February 05, 2009 at 01:15 AM
I'm laughing out loud right now...is that sick, that I'm laughing at the tears of a sweet three year old? :) xoxo
Posted by: Nis | February 05, 2009 at 02:45 PM
Not at all, Nis. It was so cute. The people around us got a big kick out of it, too. Bo is an emotional wreck, just like her mother.
Posted by: Megan | February 12, 2009 at 03:58 PM