Shopgirl Apron and Zakka Organizer

[sew a gift].

Had some fun making the Shopgirl Apron, well, just making aprons in general. Though they can be a bit time-consuming if you like to customize. In this case, I changed up the pockets from two side pockets to one centre front, added a ruffle, and quilted it with a cross-hatch pattern. I really like to quilt the apron if its reversible because I'm afraid once you wash it things will separate and get all wrinkly. The quilting helps stabilize and give it structure. And make it pretty. Even though you can't really see it here. Trust me though, the quilting is very pretty.  And, I didn't even model it because then I would get attached to it and this one is not for me. 

Another not-for-me project, the Zakka zip organizer from the book Zakka Style. It ended up being a disappointment. It looks soooo cute. However, the zipper is not very functional; its a bit stiff but I could have lived with that. The problem is that it seems so tight at the open end when you try to close it. VERY cumbersome. I must have installed it too tightly. But, alas, my friend Anne is willing to bear the burden of the zipper in the name of lovely fabric and cuteness. Works for me! 

I have been in the cue at the public library for this book since summer. I mean, its that popular. Anything Zakka is hugely popular it seems, but, I did not love this pattern and instructions. I love the idea of the zipper organizer though, and I think next time (if there is a next time), I'll add a gusset, yes? And bookmark Krista's tips because she has made several.


on the handy dandy kindle
So I'm slowly working my way through Breath of Peace which Elizabeth recommended a few weeks ago. I'm finding it a bit painful to read because the newlyweds are bickering all. the. time.  So far. I think it was described as "affectionate discontent". I have witnessed such. Its not pleasant and it definitely makes me treasure my own marriage relationship because I think the ping-pong-bickering can creep in if we're not careful. 

and not on the kindle

My sweet friend (shall we call her Ms. Smith?) dropped this by today, wrapped in Advent lavender and accompanied by a Tim's French Vanilla cappuccino ... just because. 

Its a good time of year to let your friends know they matter. 

I'll be back later to link up with Elizabeth for needle and thREAD, so until then, xoxo.

And here's that link to Elizabeth's needle and thREAD.

Patchwork Aprons and other lovelies

[sew].

A few very quick takes for you, my dear sewing friends, of the progress of Christmas gifts. I am very committed to use my love of sewing as a way to bless others. I want to give gifts from my heart and the best way to do that is to give gifts from my hands. Because the two are inseparable. So here are a couple of aprons ... with more aprons to come ... this one is my own concoction and its basically a rectangle for the skirt and a rectangle for the bib with a wide band in the middle.  I love it. I'm not sure I can give it away ...

It's reversible. Which is a good thing because I don't really want to wipe grease or grime on this side.  But the other side is my beloved Amy Butler, so its really a bit of a lose-lose situation ...

Haha! The ruffle is NOT reversible I just noticed! Whoops! I love it anyway. And by the way, the tie? Its extra-long; three widths of fabric in length so I can tie a pretty bow; and interfaced to give it some structure. I think the fact that this apron is lined, quilted and has an interfaced waistband/tie means it will hold up to the wash. Because I do have a store-bought apron that's cute, but it comes out of the wash looking like a wrung-out rag and I really don't have a lot of time for ironing.  

This half-apron was fun. Its loosely based on Jona's Apron-in-an-hour though not quite as wide. I used 10" pre-cut squares to make a four-patch, lined it and quilted it for extra structure. The tie is not as long as the first apron, only two widths of fabric, but it does the trick. 

And here's the reverse:

A half-apron is perhaps not as practical if you're standing over a sputtering stove, but gosh, it sure brightens up an old t-shirt and a pair of jeans, no?

My daughter snapped this of the apron in action. I had to take it for a test-drive, even if it will be a gift. Like, maybe :)

The other sewing goodies which I'm really very excited about come from Michelle Patterns; the Card Wallet. I don't know about you but it seems every store I shop at has a courtesy card of sorts. There's Costco, Hallmark, Paradise Cafe (when I'm in the U.S.), Indigo, Shoppers, Winners ... yeesh the list goes on. I mean, not all of them fit in the wallet for one thing, and not all of them are used frequently at all. Yet, you might want to keep them with you just in case. So, its very clear my friends, we all need a Card Wallet. Its an extra little lovely in your purse that you can easily find. I think they are awesome! I have one for low-use cards and one for library cards. The rest are for gifts!

I'm quite excited about giving these handmade treats to my friends and family, but I must admit there is a part of me that hopes/worries whether they will actually like it ... not everyone is into quilty-sewy-fabric-y-mugruggy-type stuff like me. But you know what? The joy is in the giving so I'm just going for it.

That's all I can show you right now, heh heh! On our sewing retreat last weekend my friends and I burned the midnight oil and made a tremendous amount of gifts - like pajama pants, quilts (yes I said quilts!), pioneer bonnets, infinity scarves, mug rugs, play-capes, aprons - I mean we really made the most of our time away. It was so much fun.

thREAD.
I am happy to report I finished Jeckyl and Hyde and ... I did NOT like the ending!!! I was actually a bit stunned that the end was actually the end! I thought for sure that Hyde wasn't really dead and would reappear for a final battle, perhaps against Utterson. But alas. Dead. (Spoiler. I'm sorry).  I now have just barely started to read the book Elizabeth recommended here, Breath of Peace. 

All for now. Be back later to link up with Elizabeth and needle and thREAD. xo

And here is that link! Enjoy!!