Project Details

Pattern: Butterick 4945
Fabric: 100%cotton

Description: Patterns and instructions for five aprons in sizes small, medium and large. Apron B has contrast flaps. Apron C has contrast pockets and bands.

Since there is no way around the daily household drudgery, why not look cute while doing it? Who would have thought that aprons could be such a chic little accessory? I think I want to make more! I've never quilted and believe it or not, I stared at all of the beautiful cottons in Hancock's for what felt like an eternity trying to find a fabric I like and one for contrast.

I used Apron D in the large size. I chose this view because of the adorable 50's-styling. I omitted the bow and added the facing from Apron C. When I pinned the facing to the top front of the apron, I didn't like the size. I cut 2" off of the bottom. I also added a pocket from Apron C. For the flounce, I used the contrast fabric. BTW, here's the back.

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Big sleeves are big for fall -- dolman sleeves (the kind with armholes that reach to the waist, like a batwing) and kimono-style are part of the "I love the 80's" fashion remix and can add an element of sexy to this season's voluminous styles. This is a very *easy* to sew pattern that can be completed in a couple of hours -- it only has four pieces: front, back, neckband and lower band. All of the pieces went together very easily. The fabric I chose is very drapey which I think is best for this type of style. Anything heavier wouldn't hang right. I sewed this as directed with no modifications or alterations. On the neckband after attaching, it's topstitched on the public side of the top. The sleeves have a rolled hem (thanks to The Sewing Divas for the tutorial!) and there is ruching on the lower band. Overall, I have no complaints about this top, I love the style and I'll probably make the one with the v-neck next time.

I have only touched my machine twice this week. "Life" has had me going! I do have a couple of projects in progress, nothing complete. The little things just seemed really tedious this week. It took me three days just to cut for a project... granted there were a lot of pieces involved (body, lining, interfacings). Now that it's all laying out, I don't even think I like the fabric choices. Oh well, back to the drawing board sewing room.

McCall's Holiday 2006


While out and about this week, peeped my head in Anthropologie (I can always find inspiration there), and I discovered the cutest aprons... doesn't every domestic goddess need a few fab ones?! Well, it goes without saying that I wasn't about to part with 40 bucks for something I could stitch up in a couple of hours. Found Butterick 4945... could I possibly get any closer than that! I'm going to be so cute on Thanksgiving!

I made this top about two weeks ago and it hung in the closet since then. I wasn't too sure about this one because it really didn't turnout the way I had visioned. I thought from the picture that the top was cut a little more a-line than it actually was and since this was a knit, I thought that it would have more ease throughout the hip and I was wrong. It was very tight, so tight at the time that when I tried it on over my jeans, you could see the print of the pockets! I cut it off right above the hip and hemmed it. The instructions were super easy, I made this top in an afternoon. I chose to do View C because I really like the ties on the sleeve much better than the kimono sleeves (I'm kinda tired of that look). I do plan on making this one again... since it has a waistline seam, I'll go up a size.

This is View A, another version of the gauchos that I did. This is pretty much the same review as this one... Fast & Easy. Only difference with this on is the surplus pockets and the leg bands. Oh, forgot to take a pic, but I added faux flap back pockets with buttons. Since I made two trendy items from this one pattern, I think this is the last time I'll use this one.

If you every see me wearing these, shoot me dead on the spot! If you wear these, I'm going to have to ask you to stop! I'm already a stay-at-home-mom, must I (and you) play into all of the negative stereotypes? Just like you can pull on those ugly, unflattering, faded out, saggy-butt jeans, you can hop on over to The Gap and get a great pair of reasonably priced, dark-wash boot cuts with a nice rise (preferably right below the waist).