Another batch of aprons

In the delicious mad dash to create fabric and stitchery "babies" for a local shop in town, I have had to absolutely reorganize my fabric hutch and supplies. 

It may not look different from any previous photo - except I now know where everything is. Because I have twice the amount of fabrics I did a couple of months ago, supplies were displaced to other areas and all the fabric is not in the hutch.

The lampshades are for mobiles. I've been taking the fabric/paper off and wrapping them and adding doodads. Some are too lovely though and will be embellished as is.

Windowsill collection.
 

Mr. True Love is building me a simple work table out of some plywood he bought to make himself a workbench for his man cave. It should be ready in a few days and I'm thrilled. When I did mainly hand work, the folding table I have was plenty of table, but with aprons and machine sewing going on, I need more work area to spread fabrics on.

I took a few more aprons to Mary's shop but forgot to take photos of them. But here's probably the last batch for awhile, hot off the press and ready to deliver.

These are all made from pillowcases and a sham. Vintage bits and bobs, table scarves, handkerchiefs, lace, tea towels, quilt blocks adorn them. 

Just in case it's spring in your hemisphere.

Poly/cotton pillowcase, linen napkin, cotton handkerchief, linen table scarf.

What an elegant sham. Rich colors and a bit of quilting and lacy bits.

Cotton and linen fabrics, cotton lace, otton ric rac.

I like the country, vintage, and cottage look. 

Cotton fabrics, linen napkin and tea towel, cotton embroidery.

The quilt piece came like that. Someone must have already taken apart a hand stitched quilt top using feed sack squares.

Poly/cotton fabric, cotton fabrics, linen table scarf, cotton doily bit, synthetic lace and ribbon.
 

The embroidered teapot is one of 34 embroidered squares I bought in a pack awhile back. It was likely supposed to become a quilt all together but had never been pieced.

I love the vintage fabric in the ties. I have about 2 yards of it and I'm wondering what to do with it. The green napkin is a pocket.

Cotton fabrics, linen napkins, cotton doily, cotton lace.
 

The large ruffled bit is a folded silk handkerchief. 

Poly/cotton, linen table linen with cotton embroidery, synthetic lace, silk handkerchief.
 

If you see any you'd like to buy, I won't be taking them over for a couple of days. Email me and we can arrange it. They are $25 each plus shipping.

Art aprons must be hand washed and hung to dry.

A win and a loss

This is the first time I've managed to actually cut through one of my tape measures. Not that I don't have plenty more. I have a bit of a collection of tape measures and I love to find them in odd colors.

But this purple beauty was the one I carried around in my purse because who doesn't love to whip out a purple tape measure wherever you go?

I've been a busy beaver in the sewing room, making throw pillows and aprons for a local shop.

 
Months ago, I met the loveliest woman in town. Mary has been an upholsterer with her own business, Here We Go Again Upholstery, for 41 years. She creates upbeat, eclectic combinations, rarely using just one type of fabric in her work.

Way back when we met, we found a kinship in our love of found objects and making something new from something old. She asked me to make some things for the shop but only now am I getting a chance to do just that.

Last week, I made some simple cushions from wool sweaters, bits of thrifted needlepoint pieces, and leftover fabrics.

 Even the backs are lovely.

I was very lucky to inherit some upholstery fabrics from my mom. I had almost forgotten I had them.

The purple tape measure is now taped up and will be kept in my purse far from scissors. I don't need absolute accuracy when I'm out and about and I can't bear to give it up.  

Do you have a favorite sewing tool?