Apron Challenge: April

Phew!  I got this month's apron done just in time!  Hank and I have been busy in the barn getting ready for lambing which should happen any day now.  The old indoor pen needed a little tlc.  We scraped off the layers of compacted poo so we could see the concrete again, replaced some hodge podge boards and gave the whole pen two coats of paint.

Glad that job only happens once a year!

But once we were satisfied that our lambs would be well-housed whenever they choose to arrive, I was back in the sewing room.  This month I dug out some 1930s reproduction fabric and a few Aunt Martha iron-on transfers. 

With Easter Sunday in a few days, I needed this apron for my impending whirlwind of baking (that's sarcasm, by the way).  Hank will grill out a leg of lamb, and I'll be in the kitchen frosting my lamb cake.  I have an adorable Mirro 3D mold from the 1960s.  After frosting, it usually ends up looking like Yoda, but it's an Easter tradition now so what are ya gonna do?  And of course, coloring eggs and setting out baskets is on the weekend To Do list as well.  But back to the apron...

...one little lamb is sproinging...

...and the other is sproinged out and contemplating the nutritional value of tulips.

I lined the pockets with the same rust fabric and had just enough left over to piece together a ruffle for the bottom hem.  I was inspired by some of the aprons posted in our photobucket album and decided to do pleats instead of gathers.  Thank you to everyone who has shared their aprons!  If you haven't yet, make sure to check out all the gorgeous creations from the past months!   I also added small pleats at the waistband, instead of gathering on the apron, for a smoother look.  And no respectable Depression apron would be complete without rick rack.

So in between the barn chores and the egg decorating, be sure to stop and enjoy your family and all the blessings of the Spring season.  I wish you all a very Happy Easter!

Monday Morning Update:  Since originally posting this on Friday, I'm happy to report that this apron got a full two days use over the weekend.  It has a nice stain from making butter frosting, two stains from my afternoon cup of coffee and a healthy dose of cow slobber in the lower corner.  Unlike some of my monthly apron creations, I think this one's a keeper!