New Apron Discovery!

Lucky for me the woman at the Sabbatus Antique Mall recognized me when she came shopping at Fort Andross. And super lucky for me that, when she leanred on that chance visit that I make vintage-inspired aprons, she put aside a special apron she thought might interest me.

My husband and I are regular visitors at her antique market where there can be found a wonderful variety of vintage and antique goodies. We make the occasional foray further a field to check out other markets but always find that her market is the most fun and has items we would like (and do) buy, all at reasonable prices. I’ve bought vintage aprons from her in the past and have used one to recreate an apron that I currently sell.

Upon walking in her door on a recent rainy Sunday she saw us and immediately said, “I wondered when you’d be back. I have something for you!”  That was an intriguing way to begin our visit. She pulled out a paper bag and first extracted a pile of vintage fabric that turned out to be two unfinished basic aprons. The ties were made, the pieces cut out and they were ready for assembly. Tempting, very tempting. But what she showed me next was the most exciting: an old apron made in a style I’ve never seen before. When I held it in my hand it resembled a pile of fabric more than an apron but once I put it on I realized it’s great potential and one that is totally unlike the other aprons I make. This one should be adaptable to any adult body size because of its fundamental feature: it’s a wrap. Think mink stole (without the dead animal – faux mink stole, please) as if it was hung around the neck. Those two sections that hang down in front make up the apron! Ties on one section secure the apron to tie in the back and the two sections in front can be adjusted to fit just about anyone. Quite ingenious!

I’m calling it Wrap it Up! and if I had to venture a guess, I’d say the original is an apron from the 40’s or 50’s. I love this apron. It’ll be fun to see how it looks made with different fabrics and even more fun to see how people like it. I'd love to know what you think so please let me know.

Warp it Up!

 

Adding another apron! Think: Serious Pockets.

Visit Yo Momma's Apron Strings website to see the Super Pocket Apron in detail.

Let me know what you think.

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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!

L.L.Bean is knocking on our door

 If you look to the left from this scene you will find our market!

During the spring/summer/fall market seasons, Freeport is one of the Cumberland Farmer's Market setup locations. In the past we could be found in the parking lot of the town office on Friday afternoons. This year marks a significant change in our Freeport experience because we have been invited by L.L.Bean to set up on their campus as the Freeport Community Market.

Freeport has always been a good market for my aprons and we could always count on a modest number of tourists stopping by our market to see what's going on beneath all the brightly colored tents. This spring we will now be within the actual realm of that legendary store and within spitting distance of the thousands of visitors who come to the mecca that is L.L.Bean.

Excited? Yes, I'm excited. Unlike the farmers who sell consumables to their regular customers each week, fresh faces are necessary when selling non-food items. And to be in the middle of all those fresh faces each week throughout the "tourist" season - well, you can't get any better than that.

My aprons and my daughter's jewelry (check out her wares on etsy) will be ready to go on the official opening day on Friday, May 28th, from 3:00 through 7PM.

See you there!