Apron Challenge : Let's Begin

On Wednesday, September 9th, 1959, the Milwaukee Journal ran an article in the Women's Pages and Society section entitled "A Calendar of Aprons."  My grandmother dutifully clipped the article and stashed it away for reference.  I'm not sure if she ever made an apron following the directions given in that article, but I've been rereading it for months now.  And I just can't resist anymore . . . I do believe a challenge is in order.  :)

The idea is, of course, to make a different apron for every month.  "To a woman who likes to sew, making aprons is a curious mixture of whimsy and practically, fun and work," the article begins.  "Materials can be cheerfully sturdy . . .or lacy and delicate," it goes on to read.  But the best part is that the seamstress can "indulge herself in a flurry of rickrack, frilly lace, braid or saucy fringe."  I must have an apron trimmed in saucy fringe!!

So I will challenge myself to create a new apron for every month.  I love vintage aprons and wear them every day.  Admittedly I like the style that has a bib front, but for this challenge, I'll let loose my reins on function and focus more on form.  I would love for some of you to join in!  Sew up your "saucy" aprons, post them on your blog and link back here so we can all enjoy!

Directions as explained in the article (paraphrased):

Use one yard of fabric.  Cut the body of the apron 19" by 36".  The waistband should be about 5" wide and 21-22" long.  Extend the waistband on either side with a tie measuring 4" wide by 36" long.  All measurements allow for ample seams and hems.  Sew on all trimming and pockets before gathering and attaching the apron to the waistband.

What could be simpler?  Even if you haven't done much sewing in the past, this project isn't too overwhelming and can easily be tweaked to fit your own style.  I'm going to try to use what's on hand (my make do and mend mentality coming through again).

The illustrations as shown in the article follow the seasons: 

January - Christmas bells on green.  

February - red hearts on white.  

March - green shamrocks on white.  

April - Easter eggs with polka dots.  

May - flowers on red with rickrack.  

June - frilly white lace.  

July - red, white and blue.  

August - sailboats on blue with rickrack.  

September - apple on polka dots.  

October - leaves on brown.  

November - pumpkin with vegetable print.  

December - poinsettias on red and white stripe.  

I guarantee that I shall not follow these suggestions each month because my calendar does include other events not centered around the holidays.  Take for instance,  lambing season or car show season.  There's hay making season and (one of my favorites) curl-up-with-a-good-book-and-read-all-season season.

So I will let this settle into your head for a couple weeks.  I do hope that some of you will take the challenge and whip up a pretty apron for the coming months.  I'll be sure to post my first creation in October.  So even if you put me off for now, just wait till you see that fringed apron . . . you'll be in like Flynn!  Did I mention that I love crazy huge rickrack?  And dingle balls . . . gotcha thinking now, don't I?  Happy Sewing!!

Join up!