Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Rush Hour

Hello and good morning! Thank you Madam Samm (Sew We Quilt) and Carol (Just Let Me Quilt) for hosting and organizing this thought provoking hop.



Today's participants:

Wednesday, September 24
Living With Purpose  ~ you are here

Rush hour for many people is that time taken to commute to or from work. My commute to work is only 5 minutes away, 7 maybe 8 minutes at most in winter. No more hour or longer commute for this lady.

Rush hour for me is:

~ breakfast time because it lasts a good hour since as everyone gets up at a different time and showers are also taken.

~ is the time you can watch me getting ready for work or another appointment where I'm turning in circles as I try to do far more than I should be just before going out the door . . . or I have to keep back tracking to pick up "that thing I forgot" on the way by (such as a towel before getting in the shower lol)

~ Rush hour is also me changing projects in mid stream :o)

You saw Part 1 of my gingham curtains in the See You in September hop. As I was working on Part 2 for this hop, using the red, white, black colour theme, I used white fabric to begin making the lower half of a pair of cafe curtains . . . and had a lightbulb moment due to the colder than normal weather we have been having, and curbed my original idea for something far better. But I need to develop my own pattern and process, and as luck would have it, I have insufficient white fabric. Won't explain yet, rather will aim for a Part 3.

So here is Part 2 of my curtains . . . I don't handstitch very quickly, but I can say in all confidence that my speed has improved with this project. Another night time picture so you can make out the stitching . . . it doesn't show with the sun behind them.




My project for this hop is a new apron. I've always wanted a full apron like this and it is reversible, so it is just perfect. Using the Butterick Waverly apron pattern (B5263)







A black side for cleaning or cooking, and a white side for baking. I've stained many a top or dress bodice with tomato sauce or various oils.

This is the first time I've used this pattern, and there are some sewing parts that I think I can improve upon for my own ease in making. The first time I sew up a pattern, I usually prefer to follow their instructions so I can understand how to put it together . . . This one has a couple things that just don't make sense to me, so I've kinda tacked the last couple seams together till I can think up something better. In the meantime I will wear it and see if there are any other improvements to be done with it at the same time. Over all, I love this apron and I'm so happy to finally have my own!

Thank you for visting. Please slip on back up to the top of this post to follow the links to see the other ladies I'm sharing my day with.

60 comments:

  1. Your curtain are going to be lovely! Like the idea of a reversible apron. Thank you for sharing.

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  2. Your hand stitching on the curtains is fabulous. It looks amazing! Can't wait for the finished article.... The apron looks really practical and smart. I have loads of aprons (because of the same staining you talk about)..... I just never take the time TO PUT THEM ON! Thank you for sharing!

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  3. Pretty curtains. I love the two sided apron idea.

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  4. The curtains turned out really pretty! The hand stitching details set it off really well. I have never heard of a 2 sided apron like that. Unique!

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  5. Hi Shari! I bet the curtains look great with the sun streaming through :) I am a big fan of Butterick patterns. They usually fit me the best without too much adjusting. I really like that pattern, because there isn't anything hanging around the neck, which is a problem for me. Making it reversible is a wonderful idea.

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  6. ohh I love this type of apron...my Nanny always wore one very similar ....great curtains too..love the detail....

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  7. I am the same way with patterns, follow the first one and then make things seem a little better, love the stitching you added to your curtains.

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  8. Your curtains turned out beautifully. Such neat stitching. I also like your aprons. I am always getting messed when cooking. I try to remember to put an apron on, but sometimes things just get started, I get distracted and involved with what I am doing and forget until I spill something. (which I am good at, lol)

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  9. I agree with June....love the curtain stitching, and the apron makes perfect sense

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  10. Lovely apron and your hand stitching is beautiful!

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  11. Love the idea of black and white apron.... pick the side that matches what you are cooking! Looks like the curtains will be really cute.

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  12. Shari you have made those curtains sew special...I love that detail, and your dark/light two sided apron....genius !

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  13. Beautiful curtains, so cheery...and the apron looks to be so practical with the dark and light side!

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  14. Sweet stitching on those curtains! Your kitchen is going to look fabulous and so will you in that cute apron...I love that it's reversible!

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  15. You did a nice job with your stitching on the curtains. I like the idea of a reversable apron! Great job.

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  16. Your curtains will be so lovely! The apron is perfect! I don't know why I hadn't thought to do a black/white reversible apron before! How practical!

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  17. Gingham always makes a great Plan B!!!!
    Gmama Jane

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  18. Your curtains are wonderful...but I love that apron. I've been looking for a similar pattern for a long time so I'm going searching for this one! blessings, marlene

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  19. Love how you created two projects out of one, great use of time. Also love the apron.

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  20. Now that is a handy apron. Lost track of my ruined clothing years ago. Love your stitching on your curtains. Cute as can be.

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  21. Your curtains are just so darn cute. I love the stitching on them. What a great apron.

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  22. Oh my goodness! I love the curtains and the handwork is beautiful! Like you, I feel my handwork is slow and not always the greatest, but I do enjoy it so I continue doing it. :-) I like your apron and am happy you were able to make the needed changes. You are one talented lady! Thanks for sharing your creations with us today.

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  23. I really like the idea of the two sided apron. I also love a full apron like that.

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  24. Oh the curtains are lovely. Good job on the embroidery. I need an apron like that I am always such a messy person.

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  25. I am SO IMPRESSED with your stitching!!! Those are gorgeous! I had forgotten that curtains used to be stitched like that and WOW! You did a GREAT JOB! Thank you too for sharing the apron...I NEED one of those too!!!

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  26. Great job on the curtains, and love the apron. That pattern is a great one. Way cool.

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  27. Love the stitching that you did on your curtains. Great projects!

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  28. Your hand stitching is lovely. I tried a bit of embroidery but kept getting "assisted" by my 4 cats. We live in a loft so the only way to get away from them is to lock myself in the bathroom. Not quite a relaxing, creative venue. I admire needlework in others for the skill and patience. Thank you for sharing your projects!

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  29. I like your stitching and your two-sided reversible apron ~ especially if company is coming and you can tidy up real quick! What fun to have. Thank you for sharing your ideas. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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  30. Pretty curtains, never heard of a reversible apron. Makes sense.

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  31. I really love your apron. I had one similar, many years ago, when I was a school cook. Never thought to make one reversible.

    carrotcakeks@gmail.com

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  32. Your gingham curtains remind me of a home ec project years ago. What a great apron, it has wonderful coverage. I, too, have ruined many a top with grease or tiny drops of bleach.

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  33. I love your curtains. I have several gingham aprons that are embroidered. My grandma called it chicken scratch embroidery I think. I love wearing my full coverage apron in the winter! It keeps me warm. Thank you for sharing your projects. They are great! xo jan

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  34. Your curtains with the great hand stitching are so cute!!! Love the pattern for your apron - I love to wear an apron when I bake, but I'm thinking of making one that incorporates hot pads on the bottom corners and aprons need lots of pockets!!

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  35. thanks for sharing these wonderful projects

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  36. How clever of you to make a two sided apron with purpose. Thank you sew very much for sharing and hopping. Creative Rush Hour Bliss...

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  37. I love making aprons too and wouldn't be caught in the kitchen without wearing one. I recently recycled my husband's shirt into an apron. It turned out pretty cool as I added rick rack around a pocket.

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  38. I too love aprons, but am usually Rushing so far behind that I skip the apron and live with the stained shirt. I really like this pattern and what a good idea to make the working side black(or any dark color)... Thanks for the idea.

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  39. Love aprons but have never stitched this one. Reversable option is one I never considered. Nice idea.

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  40. I love the idea of an apron - I just forget about using one until it's toooo late!! Great stitchin' on the curtains. I always thought that gingham was perfect for hand stitching because of it's grid.

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  41. The stitching on your curtains is lovely. My husband saw the pic of your apron and told me that's the kind I need! I guess he's tired of me whining about how many shirts I stain...but not from cooking...mostly from being slobby when I eat! Can't tell ya how many times salad dressing dribbles on my shirt! LOL!

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  42. Oh my goodness, your handstitching is gorgeous. I wish I could stitch like that! Love the curtains and the aprons!

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  43. Your curtains are wonderful. I think I could wear your very sweet apron as a top all on its own.

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  44. Your embroidery really adds a nice touch to the curtains. Love the apron. It makes you wonder whey most aprons just cover from the waist down.

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  45. Love the stitching you did on the curtains. So creative.

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  46. Shari, you have really made those curtains beautiful with your stitching. Great apron. I know what you mean about the first time through a pattern, some things really need to be done "my way." lol

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  47. Very creative curtains and lovely handwork! Just beautiful. You will love your apron too!

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  48. I love the embroidery work on the curtains. Sew pretty. What a fabulous idea to have a reversible apron. Cute, Cute!

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  49. Lovely! I love the idea of a big apron like that!

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  50. Hi!!! I love your curtains and the apron!!!! You reversible apron sure will come in handy for double duty rush hour cooking!!!!! Great idea!!!!! Thank You

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  51. What a great idea. I have so many tomato stains. I've wanted to make a full apron, you have inspired me. The curtain is cute too. Thanks for sharing.

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  52. What a cute way to dress up those gingham curtains! You take your time and they will be done before you know it. Love the apron idea! That should definitely keep you covered up. I left my fav chef style apron in Colorado recently and my sister has not sent it back yet. I may be making me one too! LOL Watch--I make one and my other one comes home,. Nothing wrong with a spare, right?

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  53. Sheri I Love your Stitching on the Curtains and the Flowers, so unique!! I Love the Full size Apron and thanks for giving us the Pattern!! Thanks for sharing your Fun Rush Hour Post with us!!
    Huggs, Nancy

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  54. Your embroidery on the curtain is lovely.

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