I've been percolating ideas for the Sassy Apron Swap for the past little while. They are finally starting to solidify to the point where I can now write them down and share them (this is how my creative process always goes - rarely is anything put on paper that hasn't buzzed around in my head for a week or two first).

The theme for the apron is Spring and the requirements are that it be washable (and pre-washed) and have a pocket.

To me spring is a time of waking up and becoming active. The sun comes back and there is a flurry of cleaning and socializing and getting out of the house. Everything feels fresh and new but at the same time, what with all the spring cleaning, there is plenty of discovery of old stuff you'd forgotten about that can gain a new place in the house or be put in the "garage sale" bin to become someone else's treasure later in the summer.

I decided that to handle all that cleaning and activity a spring apron should be a full apron and kind of on the sturdy side. It also needed to be pretty since I think it is more fun to do a bunch of cleaning when you know you look good (are other people this way?).

These are some of my inspirations for a full apron (there are loads more of course but I didn't want to fill up pages):


This was clipped from a magazine years ago. I like these because they are so simple and so feminine. (I want to have a collection of aprons hanging in my kitchen like this; so when I have visitors they can pick an apron to borrow.)


This is the Reversible Apron from Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing. I like this one because it's reversible (two cute aprons in one) and I actually have the pattern. Two layers also means that it's a nice sturdy apron that could handle a lot of stuff.


This is the Emmeline Apron from Montessori By Hand . I don't have this pattern yet but plan on getting it sometime soon. It's also a reversible apron and I love the way it ties under the bust; very simple and very feminine.


This last one is a printed panel . You're just supposed to cut out along the lines and follow the directions to sew everything together. I think it's about the same shape of apron as the top picture but its been frilled and embellished wonderfully. It looks a little too fancy for an everyday apron (more like a party apron) but I really like the shape and the little pockets.

So these are the things that have been buzzing around in my head. At the same time I've been gradually washing and pressing all of my cotton fabrics (I have no idea what has been washed and what hasn't - most of it hasn't - so I just decided to do all of it) and I cane across a lovely piece of, vaguely apron shaped, pea green cotton. Green is a nice springy colour (especially if you live where the winter is snowy) and it looked like there would be enough of this to make both apron and ties. It's a slightly dusty shade of green which gives it a slightly vintage feel so I've decided a bit of embellishment will look nice. I found some vintagy print cotton and some pretty lace that seem to match. I also discovered a whole bunch of buttons in my button box that look good against the green (I think a covered button is my favourite right now but we'll see).


I've worked up a sketch and a pattern so now I just have the fun of putting it together.

After taking pictures of my apron yesterday I just wore it all day. It's so handy to have a pocket right where you need it and just great to never worry about spilling anything on yourself because you're already wearing an apron. It made me feel kind of industrious and domestic too - like I was going to be getting things done (like posting a whole bunch of back entries; only 12 left!).

I realized something though. I was missing something. An apron this cute needed a matching headband. So I made one up this morning. It took a bit more planning than I originally expected but I didn't want to make a mock up for a headband and I didn't have enough fabric to really mess up so planning was important. It's nice and wide with little darts to help it fit. I think I'll be making another one soon - my hair is getting long and the headband is perfect. I might even put up a pattern if anyone is interested.

In related news, I've signed up for the spring Sassy Apron Swap. I can't wait to start and apron for someone and then get one in the mail. I've got some ideas working already but I don't want to start in on anything until I know who it will be going to.

Here is my entry for the February Tie One On - a pretty pink and brown polka dotted apron with one big pink polka dot for the pocket. I used most of the apron pattern from In Stitches (Amy Butler) but made the pocket according to the "apple pocket" directions in Bend the Rules Sewing (Amy Karol). I made the bottom trim a little wider than the pattern called for, to show more of my polka dots, and I made the ties extra long for a big bow. I also hand finished the bottom trim and the waistband instead of topstitching since I didn't think it would looks as nice on the polka dots. Zeke joined in the photo shoot - that's his tail sticking out from under my elbow.