One stitch at a time
I asked my dad (a master tailor in his own right) about three months ago, “How do you make an apron?” He quickly responded, “One stitch at a time.” We both laughed and then started talking.
Fast forward three months. I am at the sewing machine putting in the last stitch of Pan’s “big” Christmas gift; a custom apron.
Pan is a gourmet cook. Not a chef, mind you, because she is not formally trained. But gourmet nonetheless in the sense that she has never met a spice she didn’t like and couldn’t use. She can turn ordinary chicken into a delicacy all its own. I marvel at her giftings in kitchen most nights. And while she has an apron already it is just like everyone else’s. I wanted to give her something personal; custom.
I contacted my dear friend Brooke Atwood in Savannah (a wonderful fashion designer and seamstress) and asked her to make me a pattern for a vintage-esque apron. She quickly delivered and I was astounded at her work. I got to work finding fabrics.
With a couple of days I was interacting with chirpandbuzz on etsy.com about some gorgeous Robert Kaufman fabrics that she seemed to have just enough of for my project! It was a painless transaction and within days I had both the pattern and fabrics in hand. I was on my way!
Thanksgiving came……and went. December 1? Flew by. December 10? Just another memory. December 14? Yeah, December 14 was the day. I had carefully preplanned that my momma would take Pan shopping and daddy would be around to help me on his machine should I have any questions. IT WAS ON!
Within about 3 hours I had finished the project. It turned out even better than I had hoped. I couldn’t believe I had to keep the secret for two more weeks almost.
The time came for Pan to open her gift. I was super excited as she tore through the paper. She saw the chicken fabric first and started to giggle. And then as she pulled it out she was torn between excitement and *surprise* at getting an apron. That was until I told her I made it. I sewed it. It was from me to her with no middleman, per se. No store clerks. No gift giving advice.
What I gave her was more than an apron though, I think. It was my time. It was my effort. It was my love for her and what she does in the kitchen that inspired me. And she received it; my love, my effort. She tied it around her waste, looked at me and curtsied at her now doting husband!
January 7th, 2010 at 9:28 pm
I love it!! I think Justin is just a bit intimidated by the fact that you sewed.
I recently got a pattern from Etsy too. I was really impressed with it. Much easier than store-bought ones. I’m always hesitant to get the fabric though. I have to touch it to know if I like it. KWIM?
January 8th, 2010 at 5:33 am
Thank you so much for the stitch love. I am SURE Justin could do it if he wanted to. And if not? Well, he can do tons of things that I shouldn’t even be allowed to try and learn. hahahahahah. I have fallen in love with etsy and the artists represented there. I know what you mean about feeling the fabric but I was familiar with Robert Kaufman fabric and so I knew a bit what it would feel like. For this project I really wanted that chicken print regardless though. So, I just went with it. The stars aligned though and it turned out pretty darned good.
Now, when are we gonna see some RV pics, young lady? hahahahahah!