Monday, July 23, 2012

The Picture Perfect Apron

 Have you ever seen a pattern for sale and known instantly that no matter what it took, no matter what the price, you were going to sew the hell out of it?

That's how I felt about Pictorial 8514 when I found it on Etsy.


 And boy, did I. I got the fabric during my Ikea fabric shopping adventure.


I LOVE this pattern. It came together so easily and looks fantastic. I would have completed it much more quickly but I kept running out of bias binding. This apron took over 6 yards of bias binding (that's two trips to the store for not reading the pattern envelope very carefully!).


The ruffles are insane, and frilly, and girly and there almost aren't enough of them.



 While I was monogramming the matching towels, I made sure that I embroidered my pocket fabric at the same time. I'm not a fan of changing out my embroidery foot mechanism more than I absolutely have to.


 I think that this sailor collar is the very best part. How amazing would this apron look in navy blue with a cute little anchor embroidered on the pocket?!


And naturally, Vincent is always there to help with the photo-shoots...


It's so hard to find apron patterns from the 1930's, and even harder to find ones that are cute enough to sew. What do you think, should I make a digital reproduction of the pattern so others can have as much fun with it as I did?

23 comments:

  1. OMG OMG OMG!! This is SOOOOO cute. And I love the B&W gingham - makes it less cutesy, more graphic, and dare I say, cool.

    Have you ever run into trouble doing digital reproductions? I wonder about this since there are so many wonderful vintage patterns and some of them are soooooo expensive to buy online. I started a discussion about this on my blog a few weeks ago and it seemed that copyrights on patterns were hard to prove legally and none of the big 3 really pursued it for that reason. It drives me crazy that we can't all share this information freely - but maybe we can, since you seem to be making a nice business doing it!

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    1. Hi Heather, I just read your blog post and both you and your readers had some great points. Being in the business of PDF's I'm meticulously careful. For a reproduction I only do them of patterns from companies that are no longer in business, then I do my research and find out if the company was sold off, or if there are toes to step on. I generally find out that no one knows or cares that these patterns exist. As for copyrights, they are actually of the art and instructions only (according to a lawyer friend). I have never found a pattern that didn't have room for a few improvements so I make them, then rewrite all new instructions, make my adjustments, create new cover art.. and voila! A completely new pattern... I should write a post on this, I have so much information...

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  2. that is seriously so awesome!!! :)

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  3. I've never seen an apron with a collar like that - it is SUPER cute! Love the gingham with the ruffles :)

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  4. I want I want I want! Those ruffles are fabulous! Do you really cook in those heels? I'm thinking that's how I need to glam up my daily chores - a new apron and heels!!!

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    1. Miranda, I wish! Those poor heels had DUST on them when I pulled them out! My town is paved mostly with cobblestones so it's death to any who walk the streets in heels... I should start wearing them around the house though, just so I don't forget how to walk in them :)

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  5. Very cute! I like the graphic quality of the black and white. It's a frilly pattern but the stark black and white toughen up a little and balance it out. Perfect apron!

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  6. I really love the collar on this apron - what a delightful pattern. I should add that you look quite like a domestic diva in these photos :)

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  7. Oh, I love it! Your choice of fabric really tones down the ruffles, which I wouldn't have made if I hadn't seen how adorable this is! The sailor collar is just dreamy. I would love to make this if you offered a repro.

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  8. yes please make this pattern available!!!!!!!!

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  9. I absolutely agree that you MUST digitize this pattern. I have several different fabrics that I can see made up in this pattern. As your sister I implore you to make it available to all. Thanks for sharing your pics.

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  10. Very cute! Love the pattern, would be tempted to try a digital version.

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  11. Yes, I need this pattern too, it's so perfect!

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  12. O my goodness! I need that pattern! I adore aprons! Love to wear them and have many pretties hanging in my kitchen! :)
    Sue

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  13. It's darling and you look so cute wearing it! I love the collar on this pattern and would definitely consider making it if it were available.

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  14. I have to say I love your site and your etsy store. I found you through Pinterest. I will be purchasing some of your PDF patterns in the near future! Love this apron, by the way! I have a couple of vintage apron patterns on my "to do" pile:-)

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  15. Aah so frilly! Love the colours too, v pretty :)

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  16. cute apron!
    Your lovely cat must be pleased you made an apron to coordinate with him/her :)

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  17. So pretty! Frilly and that collar! To die for! You should def make it a pdf!

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  18. YES YES, I would love this pattern. I am also a cat person, so I have to tell you how beautiful your cat is. Is he a Rag Doll?

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    1. Hi Michelle, thanks! Vincent is a Norwegian forest cat, and he's amazing :)

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  19. It would me a massive, massive tease for you NOT to digitize this pattern. It is incredibly faboo and I must have it. MUST I SAY!

    And I love what you did with it.

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  20. What a treasure you have! 1930's apron patterns are so hard to find. Please digitize your pattern. Don't you just love wearing history and paying honor to designers from the past. That middy/sailor collar look in the front transcends a classic style to any era. You could add a red tie/bow at the bottom V line of the collar or place a horizontal striped insert where the collar opens up. You made a great choice with your fabric selection. Please make us apron lovers happy and pass on the history.

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