How to Make Madge's Fab 40s Apron
Morning Muffalettas!
It feels good to be almost there. It'll feel even better to get home and put my feet up for a few days before diving back into the fray. I've spun roomfuls of straw in the past several months, more straw than I ever thought myself capable of spinning. I even did a pretty damn good job turning it into gold. Now comes three intense days of the fine art of Shameless Self Promotion which is what all of the jewelry and apron talk has been about. I don't have to have an apron, I just decided that with the inky demos I'm doing, an apron might be a good plan. I didn't have the time to start from scratch, so I got a basic black apron at AC Moore. Then yesterday I finally had time to throw it together. I looked at the Smurf fabric, my Olivia the Pig fabric and my vintage inspired pin up boy fabric, but nothing seemed right. I needed the apron to blend in with my outfits and accessories. So I pulled out one of my favorite vintage demi-aprons and wrapped it around my waist with the other apron underneath and I knew I was on to something.
Madge's Fab 40s Apron Copyright 2008 (click on image to see close-up)
- vintage demi apron
- new full basic black apron
- red and white thread
- liquid stitch
- small ric rac trim in red
- two interesting matching vintage buttons
How to make Madge's Fab 40s Apron
1. Find a vintage demi apron with an interesting print and wide ties. (You can score these online or at thrift stores/antique malls/flea markets, mine came from the local Goodwill)
2. Pin demi apron to waist of Loew-Cornell basic black apron (I got mine at AC Moore)
3. Use a basic stitch across the top of the vintage apron to sew them together. (You can opt for zig zag here if you prefer)
4. Attach ric rac trim around top edges of apron using Liquid Stitch. (You can sew, I just didn't have it in me!)
5. Find two matching vintage buttons and hand sew on top corners of apron. (I have a huge collection, some given to me and some found at yard sales, you can find them online as well)
Voila, just a simple little demo apron with that certain touch of je ne sais quoi. I could have added more gee gaws and doo dads, but I didn't think it needed any. Except maybe a vintage name tag that says, "Madge" and maybe a cute little bakelite pin. I do have a tiny Scotty dog I got in Paris that might be just perfect...
I realize this whole apron thing is ridiculously trivial as is the rambling on and on about what I'm going to wear and showing you the jewelry I made to match my outfits for CHA. It's just that this is a blog about my life and being a professional designer is a HUGE part of it. I'm not trying to piss people off or make them feel badly for not getting to go to the big party. It's really just work and it's really hard work. I have to go to these events to promote myself and get more work. We have big bills to pay and I have to help pay them. I have a kid, she needs stuff. I'm her mom, it's my job to make sure she gets what she needs. I'd rather be home with her, quite frankly, but if I'm going to go you can be damn sure I'm going to look fabulous. It's my job. Until Oprah or Martha or some other big celeb invites me on their shows and catapults me to the next level, I'm doing this all by myself. I've earned every ounce of what I have achieved through considerable amounts of blood, sweat and tears. It's a slog baby and I work my pretty little ass off every damn day. I'm booked solid for CHA and when I'm not, I have to take that time to connect with manufacturers and hopefully score the big licensing deal. I'm there to promote my brand and if I did that in old jeans and a t-shirt, I can guarantee you there'd not be much work for me.
It's not my job to tell you what to do, do what makes you happy. Dress up, dress down, wear fierce heels, wear flip flops, coif the hair, let it free...life is a tragi-comical surrealist adventure and you my fine friend are the star. Now get out there and shine however ya likes and I shall do the same...in my apron, apron, apron...apron.
xoxo
Madge