When our children grow out of clothes we swap them with friends (the clothes not the children) or give them to a charity shop. Sometimes (well, more often than not) the clothes are badly ripped or have permanent stains and so aren't suitable for the traditional routes of reuse. So rather than throw them in the bin there is another way to reuse them .... this year I kept some of those clothes not up to scratch and took out my scissors to rescue the usable fabric. I love seeing the items of clothing that hold so many family memories of picnics, tree climbing, swimming in lakes, blackberry hunting etc being reborn.
With this fabric I made a range of cooking aprons for my children and those of friends. They make really lovely Christmas or Birthday presents. The bow on this apron is taken from a box of chocolates. As a final touch, include a hand written recipe for some delicious buns or biscuits. No cash is paid out but for me the giving or receiving of a handmade gift is very fulfilling. There's something about the commercialisation of Christmas that doesn't sit well with me, so I try to claim back some of the meaning behind the giving of a gift by taking time to make a few of them myself. I hope I'm not deluding myself, perhaps people groan at the thought of opening gifts from me!!!
For those of you who share with me an odd and unexplained attraction towards the making of aprons, try visiting Tie One On, you won't be disappointed!
They are beautiful, what a great idea. I too hate parting with some of those old clothes that evoke such memories. I can't sew to save my life but it's time I learned.
Posted by: Caitlin - Bridget's Flame | January 06, 2008 at 12:52 AM
What a lovely idea,hadn't thought of making aprons from scraps,although I do sew and make clothes ,aprons,bags etc,I usually save my bits for my scrap bag and make patchwork items out of them.Like you I take our old clothes to our local charity shop and anything that is marked I've used for cleaning ,but will now think twice before doing this ,that way those garments will be recycled and reused,thanks for the idea! love from Kathyann and the girls at meg's mum's muffins
Posted by: kathyann | January 06, 2008 at 03:02 AM
How fantastic!
Posted by: Lizz | January 06, 2008 at 07:50 AM
I doubt that any little girl would be disapointed with such a gorgeous gift as this apron.
Posted by: carolyn | January 06, 2008 at 06:54 PM
Oooh I haven't visited you in so very long but how I have missed your posts! My New Year's Resolution?? hmmm maybe I should pop by more often hehe! I made a lot of my family's gifts this year - a peg bag for my mum, painted wine glasses for about 5 people, painted vases for another (ok so I bought the glasses but they were semi-home-made lol)... I love the personal touch, just like you, and I hate the getting into debt just for a few days - makes me almost want to say "bah-humbug" but when I make presents I just feel full of joy once more :oD Thanks for sharing your aprons with us!
Posted by: Amanda | January 07, 2008 at 08:53 AM