My mom bought this gorgeous embroidered piece from an antique mall in Orange when she was here over the holidays.
She wanted it made into an apron, so I made her this.
I love this lady. What's amazing is that much of the outline is a stem stitch, with (what looks like) all six strands of embroidery floss.
When I make a stem stitch it's never this tight. I mean, just look at the back - how it almost looks like a back stitch.
I am thinking that a tighter stem stitch is what makes this look so beautiful. I'll need to remember that the next time I embroider.
I bound the edges with binding tape I made from some great green material since it's her favorite color. I also made a round neck, which I think is more vintage than the kind of neck I normally put on an apron. I used the neck back from Butterick 5353 and neck side from Simplicity 2925 as guides with a little changing here and there. I don't think you need a pattern to do that, but I just prefer one since I'm far more comfortable that way. Plus, something that's already drafted means you don't waste time and/or fabric fidgeting with measurements. :)
I also added a wee pocket. She's now in the Itty Bitty Pocket Committee.
Now I'm off to PetSmart to replace the four fish I killed this last week (don't ask) and I'm going to finish my black slacks that I've had cut for months. If I have time, I'll also finish my Feelin Stitchy February Stitch Along dish towel and this little number.
Yes, that was an Ikea ironing board cover. Why do you ask? :)
xoxo,
