I have been busy working on several projects in my studio. All of them working up my courage to complete a project for a dear friend. You see, the perfectionism gene I inherited from my father would not even let me begin this project unless I could make it perfect…
It is sad really, this letting myself stress and hold back, when the very thing that would make my work better is to dive in and GO FOR IT.
“Enough stalling!” I told myself.
The job is now complete, I am not perfect, and though long overdue on a promise…
Here it is!
Julie’s apron!
I chose the fabric for her because it reminded me of peacock feathers and mandalas. A mandala is a circular emblem, often with spokes in its design. It can be found in many cultures and its designs are infinite.
It is said to:
“[Represent] the universe itself, a mandala is both the microcosm and the macrocosm, and we are all part of its intricate design. The mandala is more than an image seen with our eyes; it is an actual moment in time. It can be can be used as a vehicle to explore art, science, religion and life itself. The mandala contains an encyclopedia of the finite and a road map to infinity.”
Quoted from The Mandala Project, and found HERE.
~*~
I hope she likes it.
The pockets are fully lined,
the hem is deep to cover the raw edges of the blue stripe, and it is invisibly stitched. The waist ties are extra long so they may be tied in the front or back and the little stitching at the waistband is also invisible! I added a bit of quilters batting into the pocket bands, and the waistband to help give them a bit of substance, and for flair I added some beading on the pocket bands and to one of the mandalas!
This was fun!
~*~
Linked to: “Just Something I Made“
Life on the Farmlet 
Gorgeous outfit- but is it a skirt or an apron? I am so sorry that i am so stupid but it appears to be a skirt. I hope I am not too wrong. 🙂
You are not stupid.
It is a mid-calf length apron for Julie, who happens to be tall. It is tied to my dress form and I am a SHRIMP! 😉
Oh, I see. I am not so tall myslef.5-3″ or 4-4″ if I have not shrunk due to age. at any rate the apron is quite pretty..
Thank you! I think it would have helped if I had mentioned that it was an apron, but in my excitement to post, I forgot add that little detail. That has been rectified for future readers. 😉
Beautiful! So colorful without being too. Are mandalas dharma wheels, I wonder? Anyway. A very cute skirt, and to reiterate my apologies for the meme-search. Those awrds can be a pain as it is. 🙂
Thank you Charron! I had to look up Dharma wheels, and you are correct! Madalas and dharma wheels are the same thing. 🙂
It’s mine? Is it mine? Oh I love it, love it, love it – now I am going out to leap around the paddocks with pure joy!
YES! It is. 😀
Glad you like it.
ECSTATICALLY HAPPY! You are so wonderful, Lynda!
Blushing now.
Beautiful!!
Thank you, Deb!
Wow Lynda!! that is so gorgeous! The pattern, the fabric, the colors, the beading….. all of it. SO SO pretty~ whoever is getting this is going to absolutely love it and cherish it.
Connie, it is for Julie in Australia. And I just read that she was out dancing in the paddocks! I guess she liked it. 😉
This is really beautiful and considering who it’s meant for, quite perfect! The fabric is gorgeous. Your perfectionism comes out in every detail 😉
Thank you, Annie. I didn’t even know I was making this for her until I saw the fabric on eQuilter’s website. The fabric told me it was going to be an apron for Julie. I showed a picture swatch to her and she concurred! I really enjoyed creating this, once I allowed myself to actually DO it.
beautiful; I love the amount of love and thought that has gone into it.
Thank you, Anna! Now to give it a final press and pack it off to Australia!
Looks stunning. I’m sure she’s going to love it. You clever thing you.
Thank you! 😀
I told her it was posted here last night…
She does!
Lynda, the apron is gorgeous!! The fabric is beautiful and your work is exquisite!
Thank you, Anke! Once I broke inertia it went together quickly and easily.
Very nice. My wife is always complaining that I don’t wear an apron when I cook but I’m sure I would wear one if it looked like one of yours.
Thank you, Tom! Perhaps I should consider a line of aprons for men too?
Very nice work Lynda. Was there a pattern or did you create your own?
Thank you, Anita! The pattern is my own. By cutting and pasting the fabric design to print to paper I was then able to create some mockups for the design. I took photos and then sent them as previews for Julie to choose the one she liked. Then I panicked about actually accomplishing the project, but now I have completed it, and I am so glad she likes it.
BEAUTIFUL
Thank you!
What a nice apron Lynda with great colours.. you have done very well and I understand your friend liked it. I like long and large apron that covers you entirely.
Thank you, Chantal! It is funny about me and aprons. I love to collect the vintage ones, and I love to make them, but I never wear one. I think I need to start wearing one. I am sure my clothes would appreciate a break from the spatters when I am cooking!
Oh my, another commonality! I collect vintage aprons too but I do wear mine! This one you created is absolutely gorgeous!! I’m not sure why you worry so much… and you simply must lose that perfectionism thing! I beat it and I know you can too!
That was in interesting and timely factoid! Glad you like the apron, and maybe I can redirect the perfectionism to housekeeping… 😉
wow, I’m impressed. I have some from my aunt’s collection. One has a girl embroidered on it with a skirt that flys up and you can see her drawers and the red garter.
Margaret, that sounds so cute! Mine are from my mother-in-law. Almost every one of them is green, and two are made of cotton voile with Christmas themes.
I think if would be fun to make a reproduction of your aunt’s apron with the skirt and gartered girl! 😉
I stopped by when you first posted and just knew it was for Julie – the peacock resemblance was just too clear! It’s a beautiful piece – and the blue and orange together remind me of the art china so favored in the late 1800s, especially in England – and China, of course.
Aprons are so useful, and I don’t know why I don’t wear one more often. Well, for one thing I’m not sure I have any. I do think they were favored more when women did more frying! Not so much need for an apron when there isn’t a frying pan full of grease doing its thing!
Remember those hilarious “dress” or “party” aprons of the 1950s? The ones with ribbons and rhinestones and netting? Good grief. 😉
Linda, there is a whole apron subculture out there. There is even a once yearly magazine on the subject entitled Apronology featuring creations by women from all over, and for every occasion. Several I have seen resemble those 1950s tulle and rhinestone numbers you mentioned. It’s all for fun!
I’m glad you knew the apron was for Julie! You and I know some of the most lovely people don’t we? 🙂
I’m pretty sure she’s gonna love it!
Thank you, Patti. I certainly hope so! 🙂
It is so beautiful. I especially like the thoughts about the mandala.
Wish I had the talent to make something like that.
Unfortunately…not.
Mary, your talent is looking through the lens and your lovely writing! You have a gift.
I’m glad you liked the apron! My friend in Australia just got it this past week and she loves it. I am so excited that she is happy with it. 😀
It’s wonderful! And I’m pretty sure she loves it.
Thank you TBM, and I sure hope so! 🙂