Monday, February 22, 2016

Apron from My Late Beloved's Shirt

 I would like to take you on a little tour of my sewing room today.  The chest above was from my childhood bedroom set, which was maple and I painted it white to brighten up the space.  My daughter covered the SEW letters in scrapbook paper for my special space.  


 My late beloved hubby put together two kitchen cabinets, back to back, for storage for my supplies, and for a large cutting area.  I put two cutting mats on top, which comes in handy.  On the side of the cabinets, I used beadboard wallpaper to cover up the seam of the cabinets that were put together. 


 I hung this quilt that I hand appliqued and quilted over thirty years ago, when my youngest child was a baby.  A group of us in Columbus, Ohio, had a small quilting group, and we would meet every few weeks in each others homes. 


 In my sewing room, I have double doors on a closet.  My hubby and his friend built a shelf for my sewing machine, shelves on  the sides, and they put up a pegboard, with a fluorescent light above.  I can close the doors over to tidy things up.

 

 On one side of the doors, I hung these shelving units to hold stabilizers, sprays,  and other items.




I have had my late beloved's shirts, knowing that I wanted to make an aprons from them.  After two and a half years, I finally was able to bring myself to make some over Valentine's weekend.   There are plenty of tutorials on the internet on how to do these.  A ruffle, some trims, eyelet in the top pocket and a cherry applique adds a decorative touch. 


 Basically, you cut off the sleeves, and the front from the back at the yoke.  You leave the collar intact, but cut around the back edge of the collar, from one side of the yoke to the other.    I sewed the bottom of the shirt together to close the gap. 


 I drew a line from the collar down to underarm, and then cut that off.  You then press that edge twice and sew the edge. I pressed and sewed the side seams, but you can just cut them at the seam.  Most shirts have a a very nice french seam on the side.  I'm just picky and wanted the seam enclosed. 

I cut the sleeve off to make a pocket on the front of the apron, and sewed on some trim, pressed the pocket and then pinned and sewed it on.  I used the back of the shirt to make the ties and also sewed together two strips to make a ruffle for the bottom edge of the apron. I have several more aprons to make for loved ones in my family.  Sh-h-h-h it's a secret!

After all that sewing, I'm going to have a some tea in this beautiful cup that my daughter gave me for Christmas.  Doesn't it look so pretty in my sewing room?

Won't you share some strawberry chocolate cake with me and some yummy tea a sweet friend sent me?  I will share the recipe for the cake soon.

 

I am sharing this with these lovely parties:
Foodie Friday
Weekend Potluck
Dishing It! & Digging It!                                                                                   I was featured:




 

Thank you for your visit!  xo




78 comments:

  1. I love your great cutting area Kitty and the extra cabinet space must come in handy! The apron turned out so cute-Happy Sewing:@)

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  2. Oh Kitty, I adore love your apron made from your hubby's shirt! The ruffle trim, pocket and applique are the cherry on top! What a wonderful space to sew! I love your hubby's ingenuity with two cabinets for your supplies and cutting mats and the access you have in your closet with the ability to close the doors. Your pretty pink and blue teacup and spoon make tea time *sew* much sweeter. ♥

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  3. Thank you for sharing your sewing space with us! You have made the perfect space to create and sew. The Apron is a wonderful idea to use your hubby's shirt. You can wear it and feel close to him. It turned out perfect. Loved the quilt hanging too with all those hand appliqued hearts. Your pretty tea cup is just right in your sewing space and I also love your S E W letters on the wall. And to finish off with your tea and cake. Enjoyed visiting you today.

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  4. That is the most adorable apron ever and such a keepsake! Love, love your sewing space, I'm envious of that cutting board top on the storage cabinet! And it it all so tidy and organized, I need to hire you to give mine a makeover.

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  5. The apron made from your hubby's shirt is both precious and priceless, Kitty. He must have been smiling down on you as you made it. What an efficient sewing room. You're not only great in the kitchen, but gifted in the sewing room too!

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  6. Kitty, this is so sweet and creative. It's like a hug from him while your cooking. Right?

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  7. That's such a nice idea, Kitty. I'm sure other family members will be very thankful. Deb

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  8. This post brought tears to my eyes for two reasons-
    Of course for the touching aprons you so lovingly created, and also because my mother who was a great seamstress like you are had a sewing area built into her closet too.

    Thank you for this Kitty-

    Laura
    White Spray Paint

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  9. Kitty, this is the sweetest idea! I love the way the apron leaves the collar and how you've added the pocket and ruffle. You look adorable in your special "hubby" apron. I know it feels comforting as well. You are a clever lady. Love the sewing room space. What a pleasure it must be to have all the sewing things organized and easily at hand.

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  10. Lovely post Kitty! I love your sewing room! Your apron turned out so gorgeous! Stunning tea cup too!
    Hope you have a lovely week!
    Hugs and love from Portugal,
    Ana Love Craft
    www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com

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  11. Dear Kitty:
    How absolutely precious and what a great memory. I think you are very clever and love your neat and tidy sewing room. And of course a cup of tea was there to finish everything special! Lovely posting and so glad you shared!

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  12. Hi Kitty, WOW, I love the apron you made using your beloved shirt. You are so cute and look adorable in your new apron. Love seeing your sewing room and the incredible ideas for storage. The cabinet table is really wonderful. I adore the sweet heart quilt you made when you lived in Ohio. What a keepsake to have and display.
    The teacup from your daughter is beautiful. Love the pink shade with the pop of aqua. The cake looks divine. Thank you for sharing and always inspiring. Blessings for a great week. xo

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  13. Hi Kitty, I too like your pretty sewing room and the gorgeous apron you made!
    TFS this at Cooking and Crafting with J&J.
    I hope you have a nice week.
    Julie xo

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  14. A lovely teacup! Your sewing room is very nice. Love the idea of making aorons from your hubby's shirts!

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  15. My precious friend, I just love your apron and the fact that the shirt is your dear husband's makes it even more special and wonderful. There are times I wrap up in the quilt I made for my grandma Betty {which I got back after she passed away} just to feel "closer." It's almost like getting a hug. I am sure it's the same way with this apron...

    And may I just say that you look adorable in it :) Love and hugs to you!

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  16. Kitty, your sewing room is so organized! I love your heart quilt and the apron is adorable! What a sweet way to use the shirts. I must say you look so cute in that apron! Thank you for sharing this with us. I'm sure a lot of us will be blessed by it.

    Blessings to you,
    Sandi

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  17. PS ~Your teacup is very sweet and the cake looks delicious! :)

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  18. Oh what a wonderful sewing space, especially with the creative idea your husband had putting it together. Love the apron, how special using your husband's shirts. I love the apron leaving the collar. It fits so cute and you look adorable. I know you enjoyed your tea in your special space, thanks for sharing this with us……...

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  19. Love the apron, what a wonderful remembrance.

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  20. You look so cute in the apron made from your Beloved's shirt. What a lovely idea. Your sewing room looks organized and pretty - mine's usually a mess! That's a delicious looking tea treat!

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  21. Thanks for the tour of your super organized sewing room, Kitty! My favourite decor was the Hello Kitty lunchbox. Hee! The apron looks fabulous on you and I'm sure your family members will love them too, especially since they were made from your hubby's shirts. The teacup with the matching spoon is very pretty.

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  22. Looks great. I am so glad you were able to do this. How special.
    You look cute as a button in your new apron.

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  23. What a wonderful idea, Kitty! You look adorable in Rich's shirt & how sweet of you to be making more aprons to share...such a thoughtful gift. I know he would be pleased. It must almost feel like a {{HUG}} from him when you put it around your neck. Thanks for the directions. I never would have thought of making one, as this is the first time I've seen it done.

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  24. Love the apron and such a great way to remember the love you have received from someone that has passed on. We used similar shirt for a memory quilt and pillows. Love the cup! Thanks for sharing with us, love and positive thoughts your way!

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  25. Your sewing room is nicely organized. Kitty you look adorable in the apron! What a great idea to make aprons to share.

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  26. Kitty, your sewing room is wonderful! You have a great creative space. Your new apron is so special, what a dear way to keep them and use them too. You look so sweet in it. Thank you so much for showing us how to do it.
    Your tea cup is really pretty.
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  27. Such a beautiful post dear friend. I'm so happy happy happy you got to make aprons from your precious beloved's shirts....just perfect. Doesn't it feel special to wear it??? So proud of you for finally getting the project started. Would LOVE to have tea in the gorgeous cup with you. Hugs to you. XO

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  28. What a wonderful way to use his shirts! You look adorable and I envision you feeling warm and loved when you wear it. Love your sewing room! The benefit of the closet space and the storage plus that wonderful table. Perfection for a seamstress! I used to have space for sewing but not now...that's why I resist sewing even though I have the urge now and again.

    The tea cup and saucer is just beautiful! The matching spoon is so neat. :) Thanks for sharing all the goodies today. I would love to have a piece of that cake!

    xo
    Pat

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  29. Oh, Kitty, what a sweet keepsake you have made from your beloved's shirt and don't you just look so cute in it! I love this idea so much :) What treasured gifts they will make, too. Your sewing room is so cute and tidy with all the wonderful features built by your sweetheart. The closet is the perfect solution to a busy day spent sewing! Your little teacup is so pretty, too. A lovely post! A sweet hug xo Karen

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  30. Kirtty- I love everything about this post: the neat and handy cabinet (so clever) and your GORGEOUS teacup - wow it is a true beauty! And your clever idea and talented sewing to make that adorable apron. (You are just too cute!)
    It had to be difficult, but wow did you make a neat apron!

    Your cake looks so scrumptuous I am drooling.

    Now quick question - did you know someone named Marcia W in your quilting circle when you lived here in Columbus? Just thought I'd ask, she's an old friend who has lived here for years and years and is very involved with quilting - thought I'd ask. This world is so small, it wouldn't surprise me one bit.

    HUGS!!!


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  31. Beautiful dear Kitty and wouldn't he just love looking down on you busy in the kitchen.
    I love anything upcycled - and this is so clever and pretty too!
    Shane x

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  32. What a lovely post, Kitty. Your sewing place is wonderful. What a wonderful job your late husband did in building those cabinets. Such a clever idea in transforming your husband's shirts into pretty aprons. Your heart quilt you stitched all those years ago is very sweet. Oh....and I adore that pretty teacup. Yes, thank you very much, Kitty, I would love to share some delicious strawberry and chocolate cake with you....what fun that would be.

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  33. Hello... I noticed the apron on the Enchanting Rose link up and I just wanted to say what a great idea that was. It's such a lovely apron!

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  34. Your sewing room is indeed very special and lovely. Love the apron,that is a great idea. I love the pretty pink teacup and would love to have a piece of that strawberry chocolate cake. My daughter gave me some strawberry chocolate candy for Valentine and it was so good.

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  35. Your sewing area is so well organized Kitty, but then I'm not surprised. A nice idea to repurpose some of your late hubby's shirts and the apron you're modelling would make any woman inspired to get cooking or baking.
    The new teacup is pretty!

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  36. Kitty, you have certainly organized your sewing/craft room very well!. I love the idea of the back-to-back cabinets...what a great idea and a great place for cutting as that is always such a challenge...to find a great place with good height for cutting! And the shirt apron...it is simply adorable and I know how much it must bless your heart to wear it. Beautiful teacup too!

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  37. What a charming idea to make the apron from your beloved's shirt! You get a hug every time you wear it! Your sewing room is lovely and so efficiently put together. Thank you for sharing so many clever ideas.
    Blessings, Leigh

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  38. Such a beautiful thought and wonderful idea Kitty. Love your thinking and creativity. it is so charming. you look fabulous!

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  39. Hi Kitty,
    I love the idea of using your husband's shirt to make yourself an apron. It's a wonderful keepsake but also very functional. That is something I would absolutely do as well. What a wonderful, nicely organized and decorated space you have to sew in. Your husband did such a nice job creating that space for you.

    Love that pretty little teacup and boy I sure would love a piece of that yummy looking cake!
    xoxo
    Linda

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  40. Oh, Kitty, that apron is just the cutest thing...but not quite as cute as you !!
    And I am sure I NEED that cake recipe...xoxoxo

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  41. Your apron looks terrific and how special that you were able to make it out of your husbands shirts, these will be wonderful for the family to have to, it looks so cute on you!

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  42. What a lovely and organised sewing room you have!
    I have bookmarked this post, as I love the apron, and happen to have just such a blue striped shirt available! Thank you!

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  43. Oh that's darling! You look adorable. Very meaningful project!

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  44. Hi Kitty: I have never seen an apron made from a man's shirt. What a precious keep sake. I bet it was emotional to make. It was well worth it, my friend. Hugs, Martha

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  45. Kitty, Your aprons are such a great idea!! To have a reminder you use often. It looks great!! Your cutting cupboard looks very solid and practical. Sylvia D.

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  46. That is such a nice idea. Can I say that I love how organised your craft room is... I am working on mine

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  47. Kitty your craft room is adorable! You were "sew" clever to make your apron from your husband's shirt. What a keepsake!

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  48. What a work of love and beauty is that apron and your sewing room is such a pretty space / so organized ! :)

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  49. Kitty, I'm so glad you linked this with Thoughts of Home on Thursday. This is just the kind of sweetness we were hoping for. :)

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  50. Great use of space. Thank you for sharing. I love the island. I have not seen these aprons but am glad you shared. Will be making one of these for my daughter, with one of her late father's shirts.Happy SYC. Angels to you.

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  51. Kitty,
    This is just one of the dearest posts ever and your sewing talents are over the top goodness.
    A true project of love and talent.
    Thank you so much for sharing this sentimental and beautiful project with us today at Thoughts of Home on Thursday.
    Jemma

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  52. Kitty, your sewing room is so cheerful. I love the heart quilt. The apron from your late Hubbys shirt is wonderful. I love the idea and need to make something like this.I wish I would have saved a shirt from my Dad. I would love to have tea and cake with you-it looks great. Have a wonderful week!

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  53. Your sewing room looks like such a delightful place to work. LOVE the apron you made from your hubby's shirts!!
    Mary Alice

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  54. You are indeed my heart.... sewing and sipping a bit of tea. Lovely visit and will visit often.

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  55. I think it is wonderful that you were able to do that... It turned out just adorable.. Very nice Kitty. Have a great day with love Janice

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  56. What a special thing to do with your beloved's old shirts and so cute too! Your sewing room is so well organized and I love that tea cup :)

    Visiting from thoughts of home.

    rue

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  57. This is really wonderful. What a wonderful thing to do with your husband's shirts I love it. YOu look so beautiful and they turned about so wonderful Kitty!!!!! I love it!!! Have a super week. Hugs

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  58. Kitty, I loved seeing your sewing room! The cabinet your hubby made is such a clever idea. I am so glad that you were able to make an apron out of his shirt. Looks so cute on you, and I'm sure you are smiling down on you!! I made one a few years ago and it was fun. Love that teacup as well! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  59. Such a beautiful sewing room! I love your apron idea- I've been thinking about making an apron from my grandfather's shirts. I am sorry for your loss.

    Thank you for sharing on Thoughts of Home on Thursday!

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  60. What a touching post to read! Such special memories in your craft room, with all the handiwork of your husband, amazing ideas with the cabinets, and sewing closet - I love it! And no more special way to remember this wonderful man than an apron made out of one of his shirts! A very clever idea, and a special way to keep his memory alive in your heart as you craft and are busy in the house! And I would love to join you for a spot of tea, your teacup and dessert are simply delightful! Have a wonderful day my friend!

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  61. I never thought of doing that with a shirt, how creative and it's so cute. What a neat way to feel his hugs wrapped around you on any day of the year! :)

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  62. There is so much to comment on here, so I will just say that your apron out of your sweetie's shirt is perfect. What a great little project!

    Thanks for sharing at SYC.

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  63. Oh wow. This turned out really cute!

    Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!

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  64. What a wonderful idea -- I certainly never would have thought of it. I think I might try to do this. Once I had a sewing room in a closet, too. Your late husband did a beautiful job constructing yours.

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  65. Oh Kitty, I almost missed this post! what a wonderful idea, my friend. I'm so happy you were able to bring yourself to make this. What a beautiful way to keep your hubby close to your heart. You look adorable in it!

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  66. We featured this at our Monday Cooking and Crafting with J & J Link Up! We hope to see you again!

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  67. Your apron is simply adorable Kitty! It must have been bittersweet sewing it, so many memories...Your sewing station is fantastic, it's so nice to have a dedicated space with all your accessories handy. The tea cup and spoon are gorgeous!
    Jenna

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  68. Kitty how cute are you!!! I have a tear in my eye at the lovely devotion you have for your late husband.

    I am a bit late in visiting due to it being college finals week for me but I am so very happy you joined Thought of Home on Thursday and shared this delightful gem.

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  69. Oh Kitty,
    You are so adorable in your beautiful apron made from your sweet hubby's shirt. How creative and talented you are. You are so pretty in that pic and what a darling figure you have, my dear. Don't you eat your fabulous baking? Love this post Kitty! Blessings, Karen

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  70. I love your sewing room and especially that lovely and sentimental apron. Beautiful work! I have some of my dad's old shirts (he is 92) and have been thinking about making aprons from them. Yours is cuter than I imagined an apron made from a shirt could be. So sweet to have that there for a lovely everyday reminder of your hubby. The teacup is beautiful too. Thanks for sharing!

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  71. This is an absolutely precious post! What a wonderful way to honor your beloved. Love, Lynn

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  72. Oh my beautiful friend Kitty! What a great idea! It's nice to have something so special. Fantastic job!

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  73. Kitty, that was such a wonderful idea. It must have been hard for you but everytime you put it on you will remember him and how he loved everything you cooked. Your craft/sewing room in wonderful too, and you are a very sweet cutie-pie model..Happy Tuesday..Judy

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  74. That is such a cute idea and a sweet way to remember your husband.

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  75. Oh, Kitty...I think this is one of the sweetest ideas I have seen, ever (tearing up, here). I absolutely love this idea, and I think it would make a lovely mother's day gift or a darling gift for my daughters...pinning right away. Thank you so much for sharing!

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  76. What a very special apron, Kitty. You are so creative. Nice sewing space...wish I was good at sewing, but didn't get that gene!

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  77. This apron is darling, Kitty!!! I just love it! This is just one more way to keep your sweetheart close to you; I know how much you miss him. Thank you for sharing the tutorial with us; that is such a creative idea. You look so cute in the apron, by the way. :)

    Have a wonderful week!

    Hugs,

    Denise at Forest Manor

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