More Aprons, More Grandkids

I have used lots of my granddaughters for models for my aprons, but when I went to Chicago for the blessing of our newest grandson, I had to get some pics of the Illinois kids, too.  The little boy is Ben, he will be 7 in September.  He is modeling 2 of the boy aprons I have made.  His sassy sister, Olivia, is almost 4 and wearing the 3 little girl ones.  I should have gotten some of the new baby (Will, 2 months) with the bibs on, but I totally spaced it.  I had to include his picture, too.

"Charity" Event

This weekend I was invited to do a fund raiser for 2nd Harvest, one of our local food banks.  They asked us to decorate a chair to be auctioned off at the event.  I will also have a booth there, selling my aprons and bibs.  Should be a lot of fun.  I thought I would share my chair with you.  Of course, it had to be fabric and ruffled, because that's what I do best!  I'll let you know how I do on the auction.

Aprons from Yard Sale fabric

I thought I would share a couple of pictures of 3 of the aprons I have made from the vintage finds I got at that yardsale that I wrote about a few weeks back. ( http://www.kitchenclothesline.com/2010/04/happy-anniversary-to-me.html) The pink fabric with blue print is my favorite.  I got an adult apron and a girl's large apron (about a size 10) and I still have a little left.  Since my kids got me a bias tape maker for Christmas last year, I have gone crazy trimming things out with it.  Don't you just love the yellow around the brown!

Friday is the big giveaway!!!

On Friday May 14 (through Monday the 17th) http://hip2save.com/page/5 is sponsoring a giveaway for me!!  Go to their website tomorrow and register to win one of 3 prizes from Kitchen Clothesline.  You can choose from an adult apron, a child's apron and bib or 3 bibs.  Winners to be announced the first of the week.  To look at all that is available, go to the subheadings above OR check out my ETSY shop at  http://www.sallyjo54.etsy.com/ to see what you would choose if you win.  In addition, if you make a purchase from http://www.kitchenclothesline.com/ in the month of May, you will receive $5 off any adult apron $3 off any child's apron or $2 off any bib.  Just e-mail me at kitchenclothesline@charter.net with Hip2save in the subject line.  Also check out Hip2save.com for lots of great savings.

Motivational Mother of the Month

Here is a picture of Amberlynn, our motivational mom for May.  She picked out this cute apron as an appreciation gift from me for inspiring all of us.  Thanks Amberlynn for your great example!

My name is Sandy Price and I am Sally's daughter. My mom has asked me to do a monthly guest post on her blog where we spotlight a “Motivational Mother”. We will be taking suggestions from all of kitchen clothesline loyal readers and choosing one mother to spotlight. The term mother is going to be used loosely to represent any women who positively influences the life of a child. This could be a mother, aunt, grandma, neighbor, or other such women who demonstrates Christ-like love to a child. Do you know someone who fits that category? Please leave us a note in our comment section and we will contact you if that nominee is chosen to be featured. Along with a guest post where we spotlight the motivational mother that special person will also get to pick out any apron from the kitchen clotheslines inventory for free. We are excited to start this and hope that you will support our efforts in trying to applaud the women who go above and beyond their own responsibilities and positively influence the life of a child.


So here goes the first of our spotlights. Our Motivational Mother of the Month is Amberlyn Russell of Menifee, California. Below is her story written by her, I guarantee you will be inspired by her story.

Amberlyn is the one in the middle in the grey shirt and white skirt. 

About two years ago, I had my life turned upside down in a way that only women like Octo-mom get the blessing to experience. My family has grown from one child to, at times, an army of seven. I know you are thinking, poor mom going through all that labor time. Fortunately, I only gave birth two of those children (Caleb- 3 and Eli- 10 mos) but the catch is that now I am a part-time mom of 4 teenagers and three under the age of five! Here is my story.


I met a woman at a park near my house one day (I got her name and number through my church). We got to talking and it turns out she is a mom of five kids, going through a divorce, and the sole provider for her family. I asked if there was anything we could do for her. The needs started off small at first: pick the kids up and drive them places; feed them for a few meals; give them some extra chores around the house so they could earn some money. She never had to ask twice for things because as soon as we met her children, my husband and I fell in love with them. There is the oldest Connor (17), then Shay (almost 16), Morgan (soon to be 14), Liam (10 going on 16), and little Ireland (4).


As time went on, they started sleeping over because some weeks they just couldn't go home. This last year we were blessed to have them for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Years. There are ups and downs, as with all kids. My husband and I are doing our best to handle teenagers, their drama, and the decisions that they bring into our home. We've been through bone-grafting surgery, crushes, first-kisses, heartbreaks, College counseling, Fs on report cards, church baptisms, etc. And somewhere between heart-attaching a teenage boy's door and making a love mix for a teenage girl, my life changed. Its changed in that my husband has hired a house cleaner, I have found that I do have limits (hence the house cleaner), and that even when I may not be expecting it, I really can learn to love trials.


Recently, their situation has changed a little. We found the mom a place of their own and the dad has come back into their life. I am seeing them less and less in our home and it's such a bitter sweet situation. Who knows where they will be in a year.  What I do know is that they will always be part of our lives and that we will always love them.

Thanks so much to Amberlyn for sharing your story with us and for inspiring us to look for ways in which we can change the world one child at a time.

Do you know someone you think should be recognized for their efforts.  Leave us a comment below and make sure to leave us your email address.

I'm up for a challenge

Amy Karol over at  http://angrychicken.typepad.com/tieoneon/2010/03/new-apron-themealice.html   has issued a challenge to create an "Alice" apron.  In other words, an interpretation of the apron Alice in Wonderland wears.  It can be from any version of the story.  Anyway, I have never attempted a challenge before, but thought this one might be fun and I knew just the pattern I was going to use, the "no ties apron" from the Nutty Nana at http://www.youcanmakethis.com/info/featured-products/Childs-No-Tie-Apron-Sizes-2-12.htm I added a cute ruffle on the shoulder and some adorable elastic gathered pockets.  I have some others like it for sale in different colors, but I think the white one just shouts Alice, especially when you have a little granddaughter who resembles Alice.  And, not to be outdone, her sister Kaylie had to have one too.

Just Ducky

I fell in love with this fabric when shopping with my sisters in Mesa Arizona last summer and have just been hanging on to it because it was sooo cute.  I finally bit the bullet and decided on a pattern to make it into and this is what came out.  I am in love with it, it is one of those that I am tempted to keep, but if I did that evey time I loved one, I would have a lot of aprons and not much money.  Alas, I listed it on ETSY.  Fortunately, I do have enough to make at least 1 more apron from these fabrics! www.etsy.com/listing/46339838/just-ducky-full-smock-length-apron  

Show and Tell

My daughter (and webmaster) tells me to be careful of getting off track of what the theme of my blog is, aprons, bibs, etc., but I couldn't help sharing my newest creation for my son's newest creation. William Preston Meyer was born April 6, 2010.  I haven't seen him in person yet, but look forward to wrapping him up in this when we go to Chicago next month when he is blessed .  Clicking on the image will give you a clearer picture.
I thought I should give you the website in case you want to make one for yourself. http://www.hobby-tronics.com/Chiloquilters/Block1_of_the_Month.html

BIG GIVEAWAY STARTS THIS FRIDAY

I have been picked up by http://www.hip2save.com/ to host a giveaway from their site.  I am offering 3 aprons to be given away after it ends on Monday May 17th,   The picture above is the featured item, but you can choose any apron on my site.  To enter, you need to go to http://www.hip2save.com/ on Friday May 14 (through Monday the 17th) and look for the Kitchen Clothesline giveaway and enter to win, you will be directed to go to my site http://www.kitchenclothesline.com/ and find the apron you would choose if you won and leave a comment on the hip2save website!  http://www.hip2save.com/ is a great site anyway, as they are always looking out for and sharing the great coupon and other deals that are out there.  They will make the drawing and notify me (and the winners) on Monday or Tuesday and I will mail them out on the same day I get notified.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO ME!!

It is my 36th anniversary today and I started my celebration by going to garage sales!  I just have to show you my fabulous finds.  This lady was selling all of her old fabric stash for .25 cents a yard.  It was stuff she and a group had collected for making baby quilts for charity, but she said all of the volunteers got too old to make them so she sold it all off.  Anyway, there was tons of it and much of it real vintage stuff, like the old 36" wide. 

These are some close ups of some of my favorites:

Then, the best deal of the day, this adorable little drop leaf table.  It only cost me $13.  The fabric was $15 for at least 60 yards!  I am the garage sale queen for the day!

Mother's Day Sale

When I was about 12 years old I went to a church bazaar in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  I found an apron that I could afford (I think about $5) and bought it for my mom for Mother's Day.  I still remember her wearing it all the time.  It had pink flowers with white lace around the edges.  It was a really funky pattern that I was so pleased to aquire recently. Some people call it a drumstick or wraparound apron. My sister, Kathy, lovingly calls it my "fishing vest" apron for obvious reasons.  Same reason they call it a drumstick.

But I loved it and so have my customers.  I make mine a bit different from the one I bought that many years ago.  This one is reversible and has ties long enough to wrap around  and tie in the front if you want to, or leave it tied in the back.

You still have time to make a memory of your own and  get an apron for Mother's Day.  I am offering $5 off of any adult apron and $2 off any child's apron until May 8th.  Be sure to order in time for delivery before Mother's Day, May 9th.

New items posted

I am beginning to post some of the items I am selling under their respective pages above.  I am still working on getting the navigation bar bigger so you can actually see it.  The price for the Adult full aprons is $36 + $3 shipping.  Children's aprons and skirts are $24 + $3 shipping and the bibs are $12 + $2 shipping.  If you buy multiple items, I will figure out the actual cost for you and give you the best price.  I don't charge for handling.  Washington residence will pay 8.3% tax.  I have not set up my ETSY or a button for Paypal yet, but you can go ahead and contact me by e-mail at smeyer2b@charter.net and I will send you a total.  I only take Paypal, cashiers checks or money orders.

My ETSY  shop is up now go HERE  to shop and check out!

Sneak Peek

This is my chance to give you a small glimpse at what is to come in the way of aprons that I will be selling through this site. It also gives me the opportunity to show off 4 of my 7 adorable granddaughters.

Jordan 2 1/2 (above) and her baby sister Jemma 6 months (below) are wearing the ????? bib. (I call it that because I don't have a name for it. I will be having a contest soon to name it and win one.) It fits from about 6 months, when they start sitting up to 4 years, or older if you can still get them to wear them. It is one layer of flannel sandwiched between 2 layers of 100% cotton fabric. (great absorbancy) One fabulous feature of this bib is that the neck band is actually fabric covered elastic so it just slips comfortably over their head. The second great thing is that it ties under their arms in the back so they can't pull it off by themselves and smear their dinner all over their face and in their hair. I was tired of bibs that tied at the neck and hated the velcro ones once they were washed a few times and got all matted. I sold one of these to a lady for her daughter in law in Louisanna and I soon got an e-mail from the d-i-l ordering 15 more because she wanted all of her friends to have them.



Below is Emily (5) wearing a cute little number with some of the same features as the bib. You will absolutely love the stretchy, fits-all neckband. All of my aprons are completely lined, top and bottom. It makes them feel more substantial, lay nicer and helps block stains from getting through.
This is Miss Personality, Emily's little sister, Kaylie 3 1/2. She is wearing an apron that I designed with 3 coordinated ruffled layers. This one happens to be a Dick and Jane print.

Miss Jordan again, ready to help in the kitchen wearing her "No Strings Attached" apron. I recently found this retro looking pattern and it has been a huge hit with moms and kids. It just slips over head with no ties in the back, it just stays together.



Moms not to be left out, I will have many, many patterns to choose from and lots of fun fabric choices. This is a sweet one that fits nicely and has great coverage over the chest and hips. It features some cute but roomy pockets with elastic in the top so stuff stays in them when you bend over. A matching ruffle on the bottom finishes off the kitchy look and contrasting bias tape sets off the neckline. Remember, it is fully lined to stop those leaks from getting through to your clothes.

This just a little teaser of what is to come. Keep checking back to see what gets posted. If you are interested in anything you see, e-mail me at smeyer2b@charter.net for more infomation or to order.

Vintage Pillowcase Apron Tutorial

OK, I am going to take a deep breath and attempt my first tutorial, wish me luck.


I love this apron because you don't have to cut up the beautiful pillowcase, you just do some strategic folding and stitching and it can be unstitched and unfolded to go back to being a pillowcase. One of my pet peaves is when tutorials don't show you a picture of the finished product at the beginning of the tutorial, so here is a picture of the pillowcase apron we are making.
All you need is a pillowcase, I love the ones with embroidery or crochet or both. 7" of fabric to coordinate with the stitchery, thread to match the pillowcase and thread to match the fabric. That's it.
Cut the 7" piece of fabric into 2 pieces that are 3 1/2 inches each by the width of the fabric (44")

STEP 1: Lay out the pillowcase with the pretty side up.

STEP 2: Fold the case in half by bringing the open end up to meet the top of the pillowcase. Put a pin on the fold on each side as indicated by the arrows.

STEP 3: Now, unfold the top by bringing the (double) hem down to meet the pins. Now you will have 2 layers of fabric on the top half and 6 layers on the bottom.

STEP 4: Place 2 more pins at the new fold you have created through the bottom 4 layers, where the arrows are . Leave all 4 pins in.

STEP 5: Unfold the pillowcase by bringing the double hem back up to the top so that it is just like step #2 again then sew a line of stitching from one pin down to the other on both sides.

STEP 6: After you have sewn it on both sides, fold the double hem back down again so that it looks like the picture below or STEP 4.

STEP 7: Now you are going to create the pockets from the folded part on the bottom. Measure the pillowcase across (it should be about 20 inches) and divide this by 3. (approximately 6 1/4 inches) Mark every 6 1/4 inches on the fold AND on the bottom.

STEP 8: Sew through all layers from one pin to the other (top to bottom). I have used a dark thread to show you where to sew, but you will want to make your thread match the pillowcase.

My pockets are not evenly spaced, but I wanted to split up the embroidery pattern in a logical place. There will be 2 larger pockets on the outside and a smaller on in the center of mine.

STEP 9: Next we will start the waistband and ties. Take the 2 strips of fabric and sew them end to end with right sides together, making a long (approximately 88" x 3 1/2") strip of fabric. Press seam open.

STEP 10: Fold this long piece in half lengthwise, right sides together and pin. Remember the measurement of the width of the pillowcase, about 20"? Mark with pins that distance (plus about an inch) in the very center of the strip, approximately 10 1/2 inches on either side of the seam.

STEP 11: Now sew the entire seam at once starting with one short end, the long end, then the other short end. Use a regular size stitch #2 or 10-12 stitches per inch, however your machine measures stitch length, BUT when you come to the markings on either side of the center, backstitch then sew with a long basting stitch (#4 or 6 stitches per inch) until you get to the other mark, backstitch, then go back to the normal size stitch for the rest of the seam. The entire thing should be enclosed. There really is a method to my madness on this, trust me, it will make it easier in a few minutes.

STEP 12: Trim off corners at an angle to reduce fulness at the ends, be sure not to cut into the stitching.

STEP 13: Now, go back to where the basting (long) stitches are and pick out about 2" of stitching and turn the entire piece right side out through this opening. Press the whole thing flat with the seam on the bottom and the small opening folded in as if it were sewn like the rest.

STEP 14: Pick out all of the rest of the basting. Yes, all 21 inches. It should look like the 2 pictures below.

STEP 15: Now, take the top edge of your pillowcase (the edge that is sewn together) and put it up inside the pocket that you have formed, until it is up against the fold of the waistband. Fold the waistband back down over the pillowcase and pin the opening shut as in the picture below. Topstitch about 1/8" from the seam all the way across the waistband and ties (88").

You are finished!

Please leave a comment and let me know how I did. Was this clear? Pictures OK? I really want to learn. For the bottom picture, I replaced the dark thread so you can see it as it should be