This is by far one of the easiest aprons I've ever made. Making all the bias was a little time consuming but for the most part, homemade bias is way better than store bought bias tape.So in the end making bias tape and sewing it on is way more satisfying and gratifying than buying bias tape and sewing it on. Although I like store bought bias tape too. I like homemade better. Have I said that already?

As it turns out, American Janet lives not to far from the farmers market that our family frequents every week to sell our baked good, tamales and various other items like homemade blackberry jam, dresses, baby shoes and aprons, when I'm not giving them all away because they make such good gifts! But I digress...Janet is going to come by the market tomorrow and I hope beyond hope I get to be there to give her the apron in person. In person is so much more personal. 

I found Janets blog a year or so ago. I would have never noticed it except at the time the name of her blog was "Ozark Farm Girl" and since I happen to live in the great Ozarks I clicked on her blog to see if I by any chance I knew her and to see just where in the Ozarks she lived. All this time and I've yet to meet her although shes been to market and bought baked goods from my daughter and didn't know at the time it was my daughter. Its such a small world.

So without futher ado (and because theres been enough ado already) a photo, because I'm co-dependant and
need to feed the addiction of other apron addicts.

I hope you like your apron Janet!

Time for a give away. Fun Fun Fun.

How bout an APRON give away? Yeah? YEAH!

The Rules

1. I either have to know you or you have to have a reputable blog.
2. If I know you (and you don't blog) I have to like you.:)
3. Leave your name and link to your blog in the comments.
4. Tell me which like you like better, stripes, checks or polka dots. (this has nothing to do with the apron :)
5. Link back to my blog at your blog.

I'll put everyones name in a sweaty ball cap, generously offered by my sweatiest boy, and I'll have the lovely Miss Livia draw 1 name out of the sweaty ball cap on Thursday (July 16th). Entries will stay open until 6 pm central time.

Fun Fun Fun.

EDITED TO ADD:
I got up at 4:45 this morning thinking about the apron I have to make today. I thought I'd add this photo.

Maggie Mae is almost finished. All she lacks is the buttons. I may have to go to grandma's buttons to find something for her. Overall I'm pleased. I couldn't solve the problem I was having with the dress so I'm hoping and praying it never happens again. Not sure if anyone would notice what it is so those of you who read my blog if you can see the problem leave a comment and tell me how noticable it is and if it detracts from the dress.

The front of Maggie Mae (I've only been working it for 4 months now!)


The Big Beautiful Bow

A sort of side veiw. LOVE those sleeves.

Can you see the problem?

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Random things.

Livia had a birthday! She turned 8. Her older brothers and sisters all went in together and bought her baby dolls

Autumn and I made the matching outfits for the dolls.  Livia already had the skirt and shirt. A generous brother loaned her the vest.

Silas is 5 months old.


and too cute.

I finished smocking Maggie Mae but have ran into a problem that I've been thinking about how to solve. The sleeves are also smocked and ready to go as soon as I solve my problem.

After sewing the dress front to the yoke the seam line waves. I can't quite figure it out. If I pull on it it flattens out. (obviously!) I'm not sure how to solve the problem. I know its going to involve taking the dress front apart though. I'll be getting reaquainted with my Ole Friend, Trusty Seam Ripper.

See how it waves?


The sleeves on the other hand are the icing on the cake. I love smocked sleeves!


I've started another smocked dress front. This one is appropiately named "Sweet Heart."

Its going to take time to get it smocked. I have to go across the front around 25 times (not that I'm counting or anything) and as its for a bigger girl it takes a little while to cross the front of the dress.

So in the mean time I'm needing some sewing fixes along the way. Yesterday I cleaned out my sewing cupboard and came across a vintage sheet that was my grandmothers. I've been saving it for several years thinking I'd make something out of it. I have a vintage pattern for a nightgown that I've been wanting to make for Livia.

Sweet and simple and this is what churned off the sewing machine.


The top and bottom of the sheet were incased in bias tape. I layed the "hem" of the nightie and the sleeves on the bias and left the bias intact for the hems.


Aren't those feet cute?

I like the rufflely bias sleeves. :)

Its was easy peasy! It only took about an hour to cut out and sew up. Maybe an hour and a half tops.

I feel all fixed up now. :)