Aprons Abound

Aprons have been really popular lately--we sell a lot of patterns and fabric for aprons of all kinds. I hadn't tried my hand at making one until this past week, when I decided to make one as a gift for a friend. In the pattern book, it said once you sew one, you will be hooked. I know several people who have made one, then another, then another.......While it was an okay project, I have to admit it is a little too close to sewing clothes for me--I'll probably stick to quilts, thanks. But it did turn out kind of pretty:

And I know (because someone very nice made me one) that it's fun to have a pretty apron to wear when you are slaving away in the kitchen. So, if you love making aprons, don't let my lack of enthusiasm dampen your desire to sew them--we'll keep the fun fabric and patterns stocked and ready to feed your addiction!

Recipe for Friendship

Sew, I actually HAVE been sewing a lot lately, but never posting--running a store takes a lot of time and energy. Being a Mom takes even more. Between the tw0, by the time I have a chance to sit at the computer I am usually in a half-asleep state that doesn't allow me to complete a coherent sentence on the computer. Also, though I continue to carry my camera to and from the store daily, I never get it out to snap pictures of all the fun projects we've got going. Someday soon....



In the meantime, last week Morgan asked me to make matching skirts for her and her little friend who just moved. The friend was coming back for a visit and Morgan wanted to give her "something to remember me by." I told her to think of something, and the next day, she said, "Mom, I've got an idea. You could make us matching skirts--you have those really cute skirt patterns down at the store." My first instinct was to groan inwardly and think of how little time I have, and how MUCH time this project would take. My second instinct was to remember how Morgan observed the other day that I make all kinds of things for the shop, and nothing for them. My final thought was that this was something that would make her very happy in a moment when she has been feeling kind of sad (it's hard when a good friend moves away). So I opted to spend my day off (and into the night) sewing skirts. Of course, I couldn't make just two--I had to make three, because Madison couldn't be left out. I used some fabric from Mary Englebreit's Recipe for Friendship (I've also made a quilt out of this--so bright and cheery--I'll post a picture soon). I thought I could do the three in an hour or so, but no luck. However, the next day, there were three very happy little girls wearing skirts that look like this:

I didn't end up using a pattern. It seemed easier just to cut and sew without trying to do anything fancy. I think it turned out pretty well--and the girls are happy. All except for the fact that I didn't take them all shopping to buy matching shirts--you can't have it all, girls!