Being a creative person means my brain just never shuts off. I’m always thinking of things to sew, build in the wood shop or change in my house;-) What started with asking myself, “where can I hang these herbs to dry,” ended up in a new, original and handmade collection for Knight’s Store.
Using the skills I’ve learned from those before me – sewing, woodwork, “using what you have,” etc., is very important to me as a homemaker and also as someone hoping to keep alive the Appalachian traditions here and pass them down.
I cannot pass fabric for sale without looking at and thinking of possible combinations. That is in my DNA for sure! Both grandmothers were excellent seamstresses; great grandmother was a professional tailor, and my mother had her own design business and taught clothing construction and dress design. I made my first dress in the fourth grade:-) They all helped me when I designed and made 20 elaborate Elizabethan costumes for Madrigal dinners in college.
When I saw these fall-color fabrics, I knew they would be so cute made into fall aprons, and I was right.
I realized I always grab a particular apron when working around in the kitchen, or garden, so I decided to make that full-style out of this fabric.
I love that there is only one tie at the neck, which is adjustable and loops through a button hole.
I also wanted a large pocket, but noticed when I hung up my favorite apron, the pocket would gap open. So, I divided the large pocket into two sections by stitching down the middle, and loved how that worked out.
Another favorite thing I love to do is play in the wood shop, and after organizing some of the scrap wood I have left over from my grandparents’ house, I realized I had some I could make into boxes for the shop. Boxes are what we made so much of when I first opened my shop online, but I had not been inspired to make any lately, especially with new-growth wood from the store.
However, having this amazing antique wormy chestnut to use definitely inspired me to make a few in different sizes.
I had one large one we had made from pine to add to the collection as well.
What really inspired everything though, was my quest for somewhere to hang my herbs to dry. I grow and dry all my own herbs, so finding a place to hang them neatly, was a solution I couldn’t figure out, then the inspiration hit, and next thing I know, I had made several herb drying racks in different styles!
What I love about these, is they balance by the hanger, moving from side to side, or can be hung with included D-rings for something more permanent. They are perfect for drying flowers as well, and so many other things.
Having learned macrame in elementary school, (it was the 1970s after all), I enjoyed playing around with different knots for these hangers.
The first one I made, actually, was this style with a maple branch and clip rings to hold the herbs. Because my daddy collects and drys straight branches to make walking sticks from, I had several nice branches to choose from.
I love that this can be balanced by sliding the rings and/or by adjusting the hanger.
I definitely have had several of these hanging all over my kitchen – some from the ceiling and some on the wall, and my herb drying is done for the year!!
As always, creating things makes me happy, and looking at the materials used, and things I made, makes me wish my grandmothers and granddaddy were here to see what I’ve done using what I had. They were all very crafty and resourceful people, so I hope I have honored their memories by using some of the skills I saw them use. Passing those down, especially in the days we live, is so important to me. And I hope these lovingly-made things will go to homes where they are loved, appreciated and passed down as well.
You can view my new collection at Knight’s Store.
Beautiful things! I’m so glad you’re keeping these traditions alive. My mom is creative too, she taught me so many things…and whenever I’m being creative and thrifty it’s like we are connected.
I love old and handmade things. When I go to a store and see so much junk from China, I cringe.
Christine
New Hampshire
Author
Thank you Christine – I really appreciate that! Yes I see so much that is just cheap copies of real, plastic, and so much made badly as well, so it’s discouraging that people are not learning to appreciate quality🙂
I absolutely love all of this, but particularly the aprons! I love putting on an apron, as it reminds me of my grandmother in the kitchen, too. The fabrics you selected are just perfect. Your posts always inspire me as I hold many of the same decorating principles – valuing older items (that are almost always superior in quality to anything you find in stores today), using things that have passed down and working with what I have. Thank you for sharing your creations and the lifestyle that you have chosen to lead!
Author
Thank you so much☺️
I’m wondering if you have a pattern for the apron or did you make your own pattern? I have some fabric from my Mom, who passed away in December of 2020 and wanted to make my daughters & granddaughters aprons. Would you mind sharing?
Author
I make my own patterns☺️
You are so cute modeling these! Headed to your store now as I wear aprons when I am setting up for our wedding business..your aprons are the best for sewing down a large pocket is perfect. Headed to your store now!
Author
Thank you so very much for your encouragement Alda! I put so much effort into what I do so having my work appreciated means the world to me❤️❤️ I can always do something custom if you don’t see what you want☺️
I am so impressed; your seasonal post makes me want to jump right into fall and start decorating! I wish I had your sewing talent; your aprons are absolutely beautiful and the presentation against the painted teal door was ingenous. I’m really enjoying your blog; thanks for sharing your talents with us all.
Author
I really appreciate those kind words very much Karen! Thank you😊😊😊
Will you be selling yr aprons in the future ??
Author
I’m selling them currently – there are links to click on in this post☺️
LOVE everything, especially the branches….and the aprons. Gorgeous!!
Author
Thank you very much!