More on Custom Aprons

People ask whether I take orders for custom aprons. While I have many, many aprons in a variety of colors and patterns and styles, there are times when The Right One just isn't there and I'm asked if I take requests. My reply to that is, "Heck, yes!" I love special orders and relish the challenge of making something to fit an individual's personal taste or need.

The process can be quick if I have a suitable fabric on hand or it can take a few days of back and forth communication to nail the right fabric and style that fits my customer's vision. If we can coordinate things just right, I take my iPhone (gotta love it) to the fabric store and send pictures on the spot of the different fabric choices. If my customer is waiting on the other end a decision can be made while I'm still in the store, the fabric can be purchased and I'm off sewing. If my customer needs a quick turnaround because of time constraints, I do my best to accommodate that. With Priority Shipping and if all the stars are aligned, an apron can be sewn and mailed on the same day and the apron is received within a couple days of ordering. That is an ideal scenario, of course, and has happened but if the request catches me at the wrong time (say, when a big fair is looming and I am sewing like a maniac to feel confident I have enough aprons ready) then chances are the custom order takes a bit more time to complete.

A custom order takes me out of my day-to-day apron sewing routine and is greatly welcome.  It puts me in a place where I have the opportunity to take the vision of someone else and make it reality. How fun is that? Totally fun.

Because the nature of my special ordering method demands a certain measure of trust on both sides, I am always willing to take returns of my custom work if, for some reason, we miss the mark. Thankfully (knock on wood) that hasn't happened and all have been happy with the results.

So, does anyone want an apron? Let me know!

Meet BERNINA, a very close companion.

My trusty BERNINA.

She is a vintage sewing machine created sometime in the 50s and continues to be strong and steady and always ready to get down to work whenever I ask. I found her on craigslist, being sold by a man who thought he might like to try his hand at sewing. He never did and rather than keep it unused in a closet, posted it for sale. I learned it was once used by seamstress in California, repaired at one point (detective work: zero - there is a repair slip in the case) and what I learned upon taking it to my local repair shop, extensively robbed of original parts. I can only speculate how and why and under whose watch that happened but despite all the plundering she keeps on going. Straight stitch and zig-zag is all she's capable of and all I need and countless aprons are her current claim to fame.

I like the idea that a vintage machine helps me create my vintage-inspired aprons. It's fitting, I think.

Let us raise a toast: May she continue to accompany me on my sewing journey and stitch many more aprons. Here, here!