The aprons are finished, so we’re doing this early. I’m calling it the Thingy instead of that other word, hoping I can stop the comments from people who obviously troll the internet searching for sites using that word. Even when I carefully explain that this event is meant to be a thank you to readers who have commented on my (non-g******y) posts, I still get these random entries. Some of these people have made comments every single time I have conducted one of these events, and it’s pretty clear they don’t read my blog. Oh well . . . on to the aprons.
This month two readers will each receive an apron. The fabrics I chose this time are not old, but are based on antique designs. They are sample pieces of decorator fabric from Brunschwig & Fils, which were part of a lot of large samples (around 26″ x 36″) I purchased on ebay last year. I’d never heard of B&F before, but that’s probably because I just found out their fabrics are crazy expensive at $100+/yard. They are beautiful, though, and these samples, which are fairly heavyweight, make lovely pillows, bags or chef style aprons. Here’s a quote from the B&F home page:
From grand rooms in the White House and the Palace of Versailles to romantic country retreats in cottages and seaside homes, Brunschwig & Fils fabrics, wallcoverings and furnishings have appeared for more than a century in the world’s most beautiful and iconic interiors. Brunschwig & Fils is the canon of high quality decorative textiles in the home furnishings industry, and today its many other products include wallpaper, trimmings and upholstered furniture.
The first fabric is Theodora (cotton/linen blend) in the espresso and bittersweet colorway. B&F states “This 18th century French interpretation of an Indianne design, heavily laced with color, brings out the best of French complexity and Indian imagination.” The other colorways are more subdued, but I like this wild one. I used a small brown and pink print for the bias neck treatment and the small doubled ruffle which goes all around the apron. The ties are grosgrain ribbons.
The second fabric sample is Egremont (cotton) in robin’s egg, which I believe is out of print. The label claims the pattern was authorized by the Society for the Preservation on New England Antiquities in Boston, as an adaptation from a block-print sidewall paper, France, 1815-25. On this apron I used a 19th century reproduction brown to make the bias binding, and I added a little vintage lace trim, which was a gift from Joyce Carter, a reader who won an earlier apron.
If you have not yet won an apron this year, and you have ever made a comment on my blog (other than for a you-know-what), you are eligible to enter. Simply let me know in a comment below which apron you would prefer. I will use a random number generator to select the winners on Tuesday, July 1. NOTE: If you are the second person chosen, you may or may not receive your preferred apron.
Hello Martha. I am not here for the you-know-what. Just wanted you to know that both of the aprons are sooo pretty. But I really like the blue one. The lace looks really nice on it. Have a great weekend.
I am a lurker on your blog, always admiring your artful work.
If chosen, I would like the Theodora apron. Please keep up the good work, I pin you often.
Lovely aprons. I really like your new series making doll quilts.
I can’t believe you found B&F fabrics on eBay at anything close to an affordable price! I have a friend who’s an interior decorator and she took me to a showroom that carried their fabrics – I thought I was going to start drooling! They are beautiful!
Both aprons are stunning. I love the Theodora one.
Oh Martha you’re teasing us previous winners with this selection!
Pity about the lurkers who come out of the woodwork.
Beautiful work as always.
Another great thingy! I love the fabric selection and imagine having White House quality fabric in an apron!! ;))) Both are beautiful.
As usual…they’re both awesome! I especially like the Theodora.
Absolutely love both aprons. Just found your blog – some great reading here. Thank you for sharing and having these ‘thingys’ for us to enjoy. Theodora is stunning, but I love the softness of the Egremont apron – it is beautiful.
Oh Lord … choose one? Really? … Well, I love the robin egg blue … the simplicity gets me (but love BOtH truly I do). I also detest g###y’s — glad yours is a “thingy” … much friendlier 🙂
I doubt I have ever commented before as seldom do I think of anything to say that hasn’t already been said by others. This time though I am wondering just what would make a fabric worth $100/yd? Could you share with us what it was like to sew with and your impressions using such a glorified product?
Your aprons are lovely! I think they are too pretty to cook in! The first one is like a gorgeous designer dress and the second is so sweet with the little figure and puppy! 🙂 I think I like the first one best but either are wonderful! I think you should be a designer, Martha!
Hugs,
Mickie
That first apron is SO elegant! I’m not elegant but I’d still pick that one as my first choice. It would make a really nice dress…except for, you know, the fact that it’s completely open in the back. 😉
I follow you through Bloglovin, just wanted you to know that I’m not here merely for the you-know-what.
What great aprons. I must say the first one is just gorgeous! I love the pattern you used for these is it available somewhere?
I have heard of that decorator fabric before, but never paid close attention. Did I leave it behind at a thrift store? I will never know for sure.
Thanks for the education. You are a teacher and a teacher at heart.
Surprise me? I like them both!
i like both of your creations! But perhaps with a tiny bit more preference for the first, floral creation.
You really are early! Are you watching the World Cup? Or do you watch/listen to any thing when you are sewing?
I have a friend who wears aprons and would love the Theodora apron. Love your blog, so interesting.
Absolutely LOVE that first apron. Totally my style. I can’t promise that I’ve commented before, but I do promise that I’m a long term follower.
You are a lovely and generous woman Martha. Love all your aprons!
The Theodora reminds me of some of the Wimberley prints from, I think, the early 90s. They were just beautiful and so is this. If my arm is twisted so that I have to choose between the two, I guess the blue one is my favorite. As usual, beautiful work!
These are beautiful! Thank you for your generosity; the Theodora one is my favorite. Also, I am wondering if you have any updates on the 1940s quilt bits you showed us before? I have been reading your blog for about 4 months now, ever since I started reading quilting blogs, and really enjoy all the information you give and beautiful things you share with us.
I just found your blog. Your aprons are beautiful. It would be a pleasure to own either one. I can see I will have to follow you on a regularly. I love pink but blue is wonderful too. You choose.
The pink one…swoon! Thanks for a chance to win.
I like your aprons. I remember the ones for the wedding shower and I loved those to. The two in this pst remind me of ones my mother and grandmother wore for Sundays and holidays. Oh the blue one really stands out to me and grands would like it too because of the animals.
Please….could you kindly provide a link to your Etsy shop….or tell me where we ca purchase your Aprons,