This week has been full of cleaning and clearing out to make room for delivery men. Last week my oven died and I spent Tuesday waiting for the delivery guys - who then spent three hours banging on my cabinetry to try to get the new oven to fit into my old wall unit. They managed to make it fit, but not before cracking the cabinet ever so slightly and scratching up the adjacent wall! (time to get out the paint again.)
About this same time I finally admitted defeat over my washing machine and ordered a new washer and dryer set. Our fifteen year old washer was so cracked and out of balance that I have been washing all our clothes on delicate cycle for months in order to keep the spin cycle from spinning our machine right through the wall! The washer and dryer arrived yesterday, delivered by two young men with a very deep-rooted fear of dogs. They refused to unload my new washer and dryer until my dogs were locked inside the house. It then took a lot of convincing (and some cash) to get these young men to actually bring my appliances into the house! But it did give me an opportunity to show off how well-trained my doggies are - I demonstrated how both Sally and Remy sit, down, roll over (Sally's really too old and heavy to roll over but she frightened the delivery guys nonetheless!) and come on command. I did all this wearing an apron (read on...) with nine hens cackling in the background and these Sears (in the big city) delivery guys - who were watching me from the truck platform five feet off the ground - must have thought I was some insane county lady who doesn't get out much. I am fine with that because they quickly lowered the truck platform and brought in my washer and dryer - if only to get the heck out of the country! If only they knew how much fun we have around here...
Now that I have all that off my chest, it's time to share some making. It's January again and January just makes me want to sew aprons.
This is the month that every magazine and newspaper article tells us we need to clean, organize and declutter our homes. But before you begin such an undertaking it is important to have the right tools. And because I believe in making my own tools (especially in lieu of cleaning) I sewed some aprons. This is my no seams exposed apron - from last January - with a couple modifications.
Notice the cute bow in front. I sewed this using four 41 x 8 inch strips described in the tutorial. This version requires one full yard of fabric for the ties, bottom hem and pocket plus a 26 x 18 piece for the apron body.
Three of the strips became the ties and the other strip was used for the bottom hem and pocket.
To sew the pocket: You will have about 15 inches of the fourth strip left over after you cut a 26 inch length for the bottom hem. Take this 15 x 8 inch piece and fold it in half, right sides together, and sew around the perimeter, leaving a small opening for turning. Turn right side out through the opening and press flat. You will have a 7 x 8 inch reversible rectangle. Lay this where you want it on the apron and sew down leaving the top open. There you have it - a pocket.
Now tie on your apron, pour yourself a cup of tea, and sit down with a good book while you ponder which room to tackle first. If you are expecting an appliance delivery I suggest you don some pearls to complete the look! (I had actually just returned from an awards assembly at my kiddos' school but I'm sure the pearls made me look that much more "loony lady".)
Have a fabulous weekend, everyone!
Either that or they made you look more like Julia Childs. : )
Your new aprons are adorable (I especially like the blue and golden one), and your method of tackling the New Year's cleaning and organizing sure suits me!
Posted by: christina | January 08, 2011 at 04:34 PM
Oh my gosh you are funny. I really enjoyed your story, great! Those aaprons are adorable. Thanks for the inspiration now off to check my stash. Happy Saturday!
Posted by: a view from a brown dog | January 08, 2011 at 05:33 PM
Thanks so much for the tutorial! Love the pearls :)
Posted by: Andrea | January 08, 2011 at 06:09 PM
Oh GOODness can I find things that I MUST do before I clean... So glad I'm not the only one!
Posted by: Jenny | January 08, 2011 at 08:07 PM
I always like your fabric stash! The stash is always better on the other side of the blog. The aprons are so adorable. I'm feeling the need to update my apron wardrobe. In a big way! You probably gave those guys something good to talk about on their way back to the big city! And I totally love you philosophy on having the right gear for cleaning...perfect! Have a great end of the weekend.
Posted by: Lisa Q | January 08, 2011 at 08:10 PM
I love your apron and the choice of fabric is great. I bet with an apron like that I would find the energy to clean anything ;0)
Posted by: Imene | January 08, 2011 at 08:49 PM
I love both aprons, but the second one looks so good on you, especially with matching cardigan! The pearls are a great touch too, I think everyone should wear pearls while cleaning :)
Posted by: Stephanie | January 08, 2011 at 09:01 PM
okay, very cute! both you and the apron : )
Posted by: Denise | January 09, 2011 at 12:15 AM
Funny story, I love your humour.
And lovely aprons...and pearls!
Posted by: aracne | January 09, 2011 at 01:41 AM
I'm in desperate need of an apron. I have had material set aside for ages but it keeps getting bumped to the bottom of the list.
Yours are fab.
The pearls take it to a whole new level.
Posted by: dani | January 09, 2011 at 01:47 AM
I was just thinking that I needed to make a new apron. Thanks for the inspiration. btw, your house sounds like our house when deliveries are made. My dog just wants to play, but the delivery guys don't get that!
Posted by: jane | January 09, 2011 at 06:47 AM
I love it all--the aprons, the delivery men,and most of all, the pearls! You and Kristyn are giving me apron fever. It has been too long since I made an apron...
Posted by: Meg Evans | January 09, 2011 at 11:41 AM
The pearls are great - I'm thinking June Cleaver. Since I haven't started cleaning I'm thinking maybe I need an apron first. I love the delivery story. P.S. June cleaver is my idol.
Posted by: Beth | January 09, 2011 at 05:59 PM
LOVE this! I smiled my way through reading your words. I love how you added the pearl recommendation. I need to pull those out more often. And I need to make this apron!! love your fabric choices and your NEW header!! xoxo
Posted by: kristyn | January 09, 2011 at 07:54 PM
You are so lucky to be able to sew! If I could sew I would make tons of aprons and pincushions :)
I have a wonky washing machine too ~ I have to be super careful when I turn the knob or its going fall off.
"Roll Over" is a command on my To do list!
Posted by: MrPuffy | January 09, 2011 at 08:19 PM
super cute! I made a new apron for January too. I think I need another one this week. My secret to no exposed seams is bias tape. Lots of bias tape.
Posted by: Sarah :: greenclogs | January 09, 2011 at 10:09 PM
Oh my gosh, I love this post! The apron is adorable (and I certainly understand how a new apron is important when taking on cleaning tasks). But the description of Delivery Dudes Meet The Crazy Country Lady had me giggling out loud.
Posted by: Courtney | January 09, 2011 at 11:51 PM
Larissa- I literally giggled out loud at this post!! You are too funny! Beautiful aprons, beautiful fabrics, beautiful pearls. :)
Happy cleaning to you in 2011!
Posted by: Dodi | January 10, 2011 at 03:40 AM
I love your story about the delivery guys. Thanks for sharing it with us.
And I must put the aprons on my To-Do-List for 2011. They are beautiful!
Posted by: Julia | January 10, 2011 at 04:58 AM
ha! i wore an apron most of the weekend because i was doing some major cooking, but I'm sad to say that my apron was store bought (oh, the horror!!). Your half aprons are so cute! It's been a while since I've made one, but I'm thinking I need to give this a shot. As I was wearing my apron this weekend (though it wasn't pretty) I was thinking that I should start making & wearing more aprons over my jeans, and even wear them out in public!! I wonder what kind of looks THAT would bring?
Posted by: beki | January 10, 2011 at 11:24 AM
love this! You're right, tasks do require the proper tools and you were so right to include your new aprons. I'm sure they will make the house that much easier to clean and organize, especially if you're wearing the pearls. It's funny because I didn't think anything of seeing the pearls. Seems perfectly natural to me.
Posted by: Its_Lily | January 10, 2011 at 12:30 PM
they are super cute, larissa! that amy butler floral is one of my all time faves.
Posted by: erin | January 10, 2011 at 01:01 PM
These are so gorgeous! I would be much happier cleaning if I made up some of these :)
Posted by: Heather | January 10, 2011 at 01:54 PM
that is some wonderful apron larissa.!!!
Posted by: theresa/t does wool | January 10, 2011 at 06:57 PM
Loony? No way. Very classy in my opinion. How sad your delivery men don't appreciate very fine dogs. We always have to shut our pooch up too -- her bark is so much worse than her non-existent bite.
Posted by: Jodi | January 11, 2011 at 09:32 AM
I love the delivery guy story. They don't know what they're missing not wanting to be out in the country. Too funny.
I think you look fabulous. I love your aprons. You always choose the nicest fabrics.
Ruth
Posted by: Ruth | January 11, 2011 at 11:32 AM
The aprons are stunning, such gorgeous fabric combinations! and look at you cute mama! : )
Posted by: gardenmama | January 11, 2011 at 11:43 PM
oh, they are just gorgeous aprons!!! and i love the pearls, too! you are no crazy lady to me, you are just lovely!
Posted by: Sandy | January 16, 2011 at 10:26 PM