Everyday Aprons & Such: Grandma's Duster

A couple of weeks ago I was sorting through various boxes of stuff in preparation for our garage sale. I had several boxes in my storage corner of the basement that haven't been unpacked since we moved last year and I couldn't remember what was in the boxes--so really, rather like Christmas to open them and find things I'd forgotten about!  Or been searching for and couldn't find....like this, for instance:

This snap-front smock apron belonged to my Grandma Price and I recall her wearing it in the 70s and 80s. She always referred to it as her "duster."  Anyone else ever heard an apron called that?  I never gave it much thought when I was a kid.  Now that I think about it, it seems rather charming and very Grandma-like.  I think that she had someone make it for her; my grandmother didn't sew, but she would have a lady she knew sew things for her: she'd pick out the material and pattern and take them to Goldie's house for her to make.  I can vaguely remember going to Goldie's house with my grandma.

Coincidentally, this morning I decided it was time to actually use one of the many, many patterns I've accumulated and felt the urge to make another apron.  I recently picked up some of the retro/repro Simplicity patterns when they were on sale at Joann's:

I'm going to make version B in that orange floral fabric (from Joann's);  I really like full aprons best because I'm pretty messy! I wear aprons when washing dishes as well as when cooking--I tend to get water everywhere for some reason.  While I was pressing Grandma's duster to snap pictures, I looked more closely at the different versions of this 1970s pattern and noticed that version D is remarkably similar to the duster.

Not long after I picked up this repro pattern, I happened to get the original vintage pattern, from 1979, as part of a lot I purchased on ebay:

I could probably fit into a size small apron, but I like aprons to have a bit of wiggle room--so this one is for sale on my etsy shop if you'd like it for yourself.   It's uncut and still factory folded.

Seeing Grandma's duster again reminded me of how meticulous she was in her housekeeping and how she took the time to teach me everyday household tasks--the correct way to make the bed (something she strongly felt had to be done on a daily basis), how to fold linens, how to peel potatoes, and all sorts of various little things that she thought a girl ought to know.  I suspect she also feared that my mother, her daughter, wouldn't teach me these things, due to my mom's great lack of interest in housekeeping, cooking, etc.  My grandma was a farm wife for many years and she knew the "right" way to run a household.  If you do it the right way, running a household can certainly be a full-time job.

Recently I cleaned out my stash of thrifted fabrics and realized I have two complete sets of cloth napkins that I haven't used at all, so I decided we could start using cloth napkins--better for the environment AND cheaper than paper napkins.  I've even been ironing the cloth napkins before folding them and putting them away.  I can't help but think that Grandma would be really proud of me for that.  She had a spare bedroom in the farmhouse solely devoted to ironing.  Monday was wash day and on Tuesdays, she ironed.  I don't have a dedicated ironing day and I'm sure I never will, but when I press those napkins (sometimes while wearing an apron--how domestic is that!)I know I'm doing something that would make my grandma happy--and in turn, thinking of her makes me happy, too.  She's been gone for just over twenty years, but I remember the useful things she taught me and enjoy using things that belonged to her every day.

Beginning A Quilt: First Steps

It's been quite a while since I started a new quilt.  Though I often buy yardage with the vague notion that it will be the inspiration for a quilt, I think that is really just an excuse for buying fabric!  Recently, I bought some Cotton + Steel prints at Quilting Connection in Ames and realized that I still had some of my very favorite typewriter fabric from Melody Miller's Ruby Star Rising collection in my stash.  I had a hunch that her new C + S prints would work perfectly with the older prints and guess what?  I was right.

How very thoughtful of Miss Miller to coordinate her collections!  I was also thrilled that she did those typewriters in black and white.  Because as we all know, one can simply never have enough typewriter fabric.....

When I saw the bright magenta & metallic silver print I thought I would just use the pink typewriters with them; but the green and pink together in the letter print on the left would work with both the aqua and the pink typewriters.  Serendipity.

I dug through my cubbies of fabric to unearth my cherished pink & aqua typewriters and delightedly piled them on my cutting table.  I am very good at making piles of fabric.  Not always so good at following through with the actual sewing!  This morning I took the time to make a "starter" quilt block and a few notes so I wouldn't forget my ideas.  Here's the block:

I tend to get tired of making the same block over and over, which is why many of my quilts are created with the improv-piecing method.  Also, I think many modern fabrics are too gorgeous to be cut up into little tiny pieces.  But these prints work well in blocks and this block is simple so they'll be quick to make. Once I start on a quilt, I do like to finish it sooner rather than later!

Putting the pink and aqua typewriters together on the cutting table brought back fond memories of one of the first quilts I made in 2013, and I don't think I ever got around to sharing it here before.  It was also one of the first quilts that I sold, but I did have a couple pictures left of the top:

I was, and still am, proud of this one.  Simple but sweet.  Really helped me hone my quarter-inch seam allowance skills--very important in making a quilt!  My quarter-inch piecing foot helps a lot with that too--but this quilt was made without one so it was more of a challenge for me as a newbie quilter.

I'll try to post the progress of this quilt as more blocks get made.

Summer Styles from the 70s

Hello there!  It's been a couple weeks; seems that the lure of the swimming pool on a hot sunny afternoon is more tempting than sitting inside....

...but I did take some time to sit down and sort through more vintage patterns (which ones to keep, which ones to sell) and found some stellar summer styles from the 1970s.  Now, the 70s often get overlooked in terms of fashion, but I find that many of the patterns from the 70s offer very wearable style.  Here are a few that I would totally love to make and wear:

First up, McCall's #5548 from 1977.  I like all of the tops and dresses in this pattern, although version A is a bit too long for me in the humid Iowa summer: experience with long dresses in the summer proves that sweat running down my legs is not a feeling I enjoy.  But the shorter sundress and the strappy tops?  Perfection! This one is a keeper and I'm planning to try versions D and F.

Next, a couple of sweet Simplicity patterns from the early 70s:

 Simplicity #9863, copyright 1972.  I like all four versions, although I think I'm a little too old for a sailor dress, so I'd choose versions 1 and 2.  Both are charming and look cool and comfortable for a hot summer evening.  Sadly, this pattern is not my size--but maybe it's yours, and if you'd like to own it, you can find it in my etsy shop (uncut and factory folded!)

Next, this fantastic hoodie dress: Simplicity #9305, from 1971--although I don't think it looks dated one bit.

The shorter length would make a perfect cover-up for summer days at the pool.  You could make up the longer version for the winter months.  This pattern is also available in my etsy shop.   I'm going to try to find a similar pattern in my size to make for myself!

Now, for those of you who have jobs where you can't wear yoga pants or swimsuit cover-ups, here is a good option for work, Butterick #3080:

I like the sleeveless top and skirt combo quite a bit; the cardigan option is nice if you work in a place with ice-cold air conditioning.  I find skirts cooler and more comfortable when the weather is warm.  Not sure exactly what year this pattern was published, but my guess is circa 1974.

For you sporty types, here's a cute look from McCall's:

Oh, the pantskirt.  I've come across quite a few of these online and have several in my stash, and most of them look a bit silly by today's standards.  But I think this one is cute and it's nice to preserve one's modesty--there's far too little of that these days.

Happy summer to you!