Last weekend, I finally did something I've been meaning to since January or so -- create an artsy apron to wear while working on my art!
I've been inspired by Ruthie, the queen of beautiful sewing art & a hoot of a woman (she's just awesome and funny in real life!) & the aprons she's been posting on Instagram lately. Each time she posted a new one, I would look at my apron forlornly and wish I had space for my sewing machine that was gathering dust in my closet.
(It got shelved when I moved all my furniture around, the poor thing.)
When the weekend rolled around, I felt this push to pull out the sewing machine, sweep everything else off my table, and sew .
I combined two aprons into one: a shorter Slice apron I grabbed at a summer CHA show a few years ago that's been my staple apron since then, and a longer, frilly apron I grabbed at Hobby Lobby a little while ago.
You see, the Slice apron, that I love, is made from really good canvas and has great pockets, but is a bit short, especially when you're sitting down (it stops halfway down my thighs, which means my jeans/legs/shorts get paint on them). The frilly apron was long enough and had a great bottom portion, but was made of thinner fabric and only had a single pocket.
So i decided to sew the frills from the longer apron to the bottom of the Slice apron in a classic case of Combining These Is Easier Than Making My Own.
I also added a little name tag made with layers of felt. I didn't know how different colors would show up, so I just layered a bunch and if you're close to it, you can read it. I plan to do more in-person teaching this year, so wanted to have this on my apron -- one of those If You Build It, It Will Come things...if I add a name tag, I'll have reason for it later on.
I cut up one of my deliciously-layered studio rags to make pleated ruffles....except I had no idea how to make them! I found a video on YouTube that showed a simple way to make 'em, and I was on my way!
So here's the finished piece! Don't mind the No Make Up Face or Studio Clothes That Are Ratty (just because you have an apron doesn't mean you won't get anything on your clothes!)...I was so excited to share the whole thing, I ran outside and had someone snap a pic for you to seeeeee.
Now I feel Totally Awesome when I put it on to paint. It's hard NOT to. Look at all that artsy love on there! BAM! Instant Inspiration.
Here's the quote I machine wrote on the bottom (via Messy Canvas):
Live [for] yourselves. The signposts have fallen, unblazed trails lie before us. - CG Jung
It seemed fitting. Something big is coming, and I'm going to be ready for it.
Do you have an apron you wear while creating? What kind of magic does it hold? How can you make it part of your life?
Summer Camp starts in two weeks! Don't miss out on the fun. Read my Summertime Love Letter to learn more about where I am right now, & where we're getting ready to go, tribe-mates!