The Sewing Republic Apron Remake Challenge - "My Little Suns...

Added Mar 25, 2010

by almatinka

Northern Michiga...

Clip2_thumb

Views

723

Mysunshine3_large
  • Mysunshine3_grid
  • Mysunshine1_grid
  • Mysunshine2_grid
  • Sunnysideup_grid

View All

Description

“Моё солнышко” (the words appliquéd on the apron) means “My little sun” in Russian (that’s what we say when we want to gently address someone dear to us – it’s the same as to say “(you are) my sunshine” in English), only on the apron it’s misspelled to show the way I was replying to my Mom when she’d call me that when I was little. She’d say (in Russian, of course ;-)): “You are my little sun!” and I would reply, “No, YOU are my little sun!” The challenge called to “make it (the apron) your own”, personal – well, you can’t get any more personal than that! ;-)

The moment I read about the challenge, I at once thought up the design I’d want to make – with the Sun in the middle and clouds framing the pockets on the side panels. The side panels themselves are white (whereas the middle one is blue), but the curved pockets are blue and lined with white (the white lining is sewn to the panels inside of the pocket, making the bottom of the pocket straight, not curved and yet without a visible seam through the “sky”). Other changes to the original Sewing Republic apron are trim along the borders of the pockets to make them look more like fluffy clouds, lining sewn from the back to the the whole apron, as I wanted to add some weight to it (the lining is surged on the sides and bottom and also I “stitched-in-the-ditch” along the seams between the panels for the apron not to be too much like a balloon), and the fact that the waistband is also “two-toned” in order not to “break up” the clouds.

When the idea was formed, I knew I wanted to have something written on it. Something about the Sun and yet connected with cooking. So, I came up with “Sunny Side Up” (seen on the original drawing of my idea). My dear honey (being his usual self) had a different idea and I know I’ll be making an apron for him soon with the phrase he came up with on it (and no, I am not telling, least the project be deemed inappropriate then ;-)).

And then I got sick before I could cut into the fabric. And while I was sick and miserable I kept thinking of my family back home (a few thousand miles), of my Mom, Dad, little sister and of their support and care. And when I started actually making the apron yesterday, I knew it was no longer for me, but for my Mother and the words on it would be those, mentioned above. Because when I think of the Sun or see the Sun, I always think of my Mom’s warm heart, kisses and hugs! :-)

P.S. In order to see the original drawing, you need to click on “View All” and then it will appear and you can either view it right there or click on it for a larger picture – it doesn’t show up otherwise.

Material Notes

Cotton, embroidered cotton trim, fleece (unless I am mistaken - I chose it for the bright yellow colour) and lots of love and fond memories...

Categories

For
Women
Garment Type
Accessories
Style
Casual
Material
Cotton

15 Comments

  • Silly1_large

    Jul 13, 2010, 03.58 AMby marloncosta

    Wow! This apron is beautiful in every way! It seems like it really means something to you. I can see that emotion on every detail of the apron. Although being homesick makes us sad, you managed to focus on precious moments of your past and create a happy, colorful and beautiful piece! A true artist designs with the heart. Congratulations for that! You are an artist! Thanks for sharing that with us!

    1 Reply
    • Clip2_thumb

      Jul 14, 2010, 07.47 AMby almatinka

      Oh, thank you so much!!! I really didn’t think it would have so much meaning for me until I got sick! :-) Now, though, when my Mom actually received it and for the first time saw my work (sewing project) up close and complimented me on it, I really feel great about it! :-) Thank you again, for your words really encouraged me! I will definitely find some time to sew more!

  • Blogphoto3_large

    Apr 4, 2010, 04.52 PMby kittylulu81

    This is so sweet and very personal. I like it a lot.

    1 Reply
    • Clip2_thumb

      Apr 4, 2010, 07.15 PMby almatinka

      Thank you very much!

  • Amazonportrait_large

    Mar 27, 2010, 11.02 PMby nenasew

    I love this apron and your history to go with it . I think this is why I love sewing because it connects us to our family and our women who love us.

    1 Reply
    • Clip2_thumb

      Mar 28, 2010, 12.10 PMby almatinka

      Thank you so much!!! And I know exactly what you mean – the moment I decided the apron was going to be for my Mom, I wasn’t just sewing – I was weaving my fond memories and love into my creation and for awhile there I felt close to Mom, even being so far apart.

  • Dsc_0028_large

    Mar 26, 2010, 11.35 AMby Passiona Cottee

    Well, done, Masha. Your apron brightens my day and your words warm my heart.

    1 Reply
    • Clip2_thumb

      Mar 26, 2010, 11.38 AMby almatinka

      Thank you very much! I hope it does the same for my Mom, when she gets it! :-)

  • Web_large

    Mar 25, 2010, 05.57 PMby strickmeise

    What a wonderful thing and what a wonderful story it bears! I got tears in my eyes!

    1 Reply
    • Clip2_thumb

      Mar 25, 2010, 08.36 PMby almatinka

      Thank you so much, Ilse!!!! I hope they were happy tears, though!!!! :-)

  • Anna_photoshop_large

    Mar 25, 2010, 05.53 PMby mitmit

    It’s beautiful! And I love the story! :-)

    3 Replies
    • Clip2_thumb

      Mar 25, 2010, 08.36 PMby almatinka

      Oh, thank you so much!!!! :-) By the way, did you get my personal message I sent you?

    • Anna_photoshop_thumb

      Mar 25, 2010, 08.50 PMby mitmit

      I don’t think so. Where did you send it to? In here? :-)

    • Clip2_thumb

      Mar 26, 2010, 02.00 AMby almatinka

      Yes. But I’ll send it again, no problem! :-) BTW, I don’t know if you know it, but it will be addressed from BurdaStyle, just have a different subject line than “Activities notification”. :-)

  • Maya_kuzman_large

    Mar 25, 2010, 12.23 PMby sewella

    I love, love, love, it!! Especially the story behind it!

    1 Reply
    • Clip2_thumb

      Mar 25, 2010, 03.00 PMby almatinka

      Thank you so very much, Maya! I am so happy you like it!!! :-)

  • P3150492_large

    Mar 25, 2010, 10.17 AMby aggelicat .)

    sweet lovely story = sweet lovely apron!!!!

    1 Reply
    • Clip2_thumb

      Mar 25, 2010, 02.58 PMby almatinka

      Thank you very much!

  • B5821dad0349e06a0fb4db0a0166ab6211c35c49_large

    Mar 25, 2010, 07.37 AMby elaine-bin

    Well done with the apron, you have made it with love and feeling straight from your heart, it is a winner !!!!!!

    1 Reply
    • Clip2_thumb

      Mar 25, 2010, 02.57 PMby almatinka

      Thank you, Elaine! I certainly hope to win, but even if I don’t it’s already of less importance than it was in the beginning – now it’s not just an apron for the contest, but a gift for the closest person I have in the world.

  • 9c3b3de47bbbf2bdfb9482b30a1a4893371d9c57_large

    Mar 25, 2010, 06.18 AMby manuelabug41

    Satisfaction with the cook in such aprons!Очень хорошо!

    1 Reply
    • Clip2_thumb

      Mar 25, 2010, 02.56 PMby almatinka

      Спасибо! :-) Thank you very much! I just wish I could be there with my Mom, when she wears that apron and cooks something wonderful – she’s an excellent cook! (which cannot be said about me, heh-heh! :-))

  • Imgp0272_large

    Mar 25, 2010, 04.06 AMby caramia-made

    Those colours are so bright and cheerful – I love it! And who wouldn’t be touched by your lovely story? Congratulations to you and best wishes to your mother! :-)

    1 Reply
    • Clip2_thumb

      Mar 25, 2010, 02.51 PMby almatinka

      Thank you very much!!!! I loved the idea with the colours to begin with too! ;-) And it warms my own heart to think she’ll have something to hold that was not just “oh-I-went-to-the-store-and-bought-this-thing-for-you”, but something actually made by her daughter, who lives so far (and I know it’s as hard for her as it is for me).

  • Beach_baby_ii_large

    Mar 25, 2010, 03.50 AMby seasidelaundry

    I should have known-you would have such a great entry! Darling as can be…has that cute maid appeal. I love it!

    1 Reply
    • Clip2_thumb

      Mar 25, 2010, 02.50 PMby almatinka

      Oh, thank you so much! Hmmm… I never thought of it in a “cute maid” way, but… it does have something in common with those aprons (must be the “fluffy” trim! :-)).

  • Missing

    Mar 25, 2010, 02.33 AMby scheryka

    No i am not offended at all. That is actually the name I use on a few other online sites: Schey Butta. Yes, you are a winner because I am pretty sure your Mom will see it that way as well.

    1 Reply
    • Clip2_thumb

      Mar 25, 2010, 02.36 AMby almatinka

      Thank you again! :-)

  • Pixeforburda_large

    Mar 25, 2010, 02.30 AMby pixelink

    I’m all aglow after reading your wonderful story, truly made from the heart and the result is fantastic, the colours and the fluffy cloud design is so clever. ;-))

    1 Reply
    • Clip2_thumb

      Mar 25, 2010, 02.45 AMby almatinka

      Thank you so much! It looks a bit bunched up because I tightened the straps too much – I should have taken a picture with it flat, I suppose – it looks much better that way! :-) But thank you again for the kind words! And yes, I love the “fluffiness” of the clouds and the shape of the pockets!

  • Missing

    Mar 25, 2010, 12.35 AMby scheryka

    Awwww. The story behind your apron is so heart warming…like the sun. I know your Mom will be glad to get this apron. The colors are totally ready for the kitchen, grill, or the keepsake frame. I love the pocket shapes.

    1 Reply
    • Clip2_thumb

      Mar 25, 2010, 01.56 AMby almatinka

      Thank you, Schey! (I hope I don’t offend you, calling you that!) That’s what I said to myself – I am not into aprons and so the idea was only for the contest. Now, even if I don’t win, I am still the winner, because I made something for my Mom and she’ll enjoy it! :-)

Add a Project

Help

Add to Favorites 2 people added it

Featured

Burdastyle

http://burdastyle.com//projects/the-sewing-republic-apron-remake-challenge-my-little-sunshine