Compulsive Hobby of the Week: Apron (Part II)

I'm back. Jet lagged and unpacked. It took forever to get things situated. All the little things that are handy to have like Scotch tape, dental floss, and spare nails. If it actually made any difference to the future, I would vow never to move again, especially in China. On with the project.

So here is part two of my apron project. This one is actually modeled after this Anthropologie apron. Ze resemblance is striking, no? I made my own pattern, which could use a little improvement. It pokes out on the sides a bit, but otherwise I like it. It was my first attempt at piping, too, which I was quite proud of. See right:
I also made brown ruffles at the bottom that match the piping. I'm quite happy with the finished project, and I'm already missing my sewing machine. Sigh...another reason to miss America!

Compulsive Hobby of the Week: Apron (Part I)

As the first episode of this season's Project Runway aired on Lifetime last week, I too was doing some furious fashion design and construction. Anthropologie has these adorable throwback, patchwork aprons to which my ever fashion forward friend Carrie alerted me. When I was in Nashville, I popped into their shop and desperately wanted to buy one, desperately; however, my budget afforded me none of them (sniffle, sniffle, snort.) So I decided to go home and make one (or more, time permitting). I even used fabric I already had for this one! Yay.

Not to be self-deprecating, but I think it looks better in person. I couldn't get the detail in my picture.

Every time I wear it I'm going to say, "There's no place like home! There's no place like home! There's no place like home!"
If all works out...here is a small hint to the sequel of this post:

Compulsive Hobby of the Week: Coasters!

Not to say that there will be one each week, but here's my creative undertaking for the week: quilted coasters! I've searched Shanghai for affordable, stylish coasters to protect desk, table, and all other vulnerable furniture pieces from drippy drinks with no luck. I saw this project on Martha Stewart's Magazine and set to work. I've got 2 bins of fabric at home and this was a great project to get rid of some of those tiny pieces. You might notice that the squares are not terribly straight, but I think they're kind of nice anyway--so nice that I made 15 (I suppose I could always have some in the wash...) I hope the roommates like them.


I tried a few different patterns. This one was by far the ugliest. Oh my.