Bibliosophy Handmade

Thursday Pretty: In Praise of Pinafores

You know I love all things vintage, and I have recenty become enamored with vintage girls pinafores.  It started with this:

I stumbled upon the vintage children's books Flicka, Ricka,Dicka by Maj Lindman last fall.  They are stories of three little Swedish girls in the 1940's and their adventures.  If you are looking for quality children's literature, this is it: sweet stories, with a moral lesson, and adorable illustrations.  Even my 2 year old is interested enough to sit through them.

Back to the pinafores.  The girls wear these awesome blue and white striped aprons in Flicka, Ricka, Dicka Bake A Cake, and I could not get them out of my mind.  The result?  A new little sewing pattern for girls sizes 2-6, to wear over their Sunday Best.  My own little Lovelies will be wearing their's at Easter dinner over their finery.

In honor of it's Scandinavian inspiration and the Swedish pioneers from my growing-up state of Minnesota, I have dubbed it the Pioneer Pinafore.  I envision those little fat blonde babies in their day dresses, Mother slipping a pinafore on, shoeing them out to the barn to fetch the day's fresh eggs.  And I have no doubt that after Easter, my little ones will be wearing their's to the park, the sandbox, the garden patch. 

You can find the pattern now in my Shop, and I will be putting together pinafore kits very soon with some very special fabric.  If you would like to be notified when kits arrive, please sign up for my newsletter in the sidebar (I only email once a month!).

Yarn Along

 
Not too much knitting or reading happening here; it seems to come and go in waves....

But, on the needles, which are waiting whenever I get the chance: a new secret project, in mouthwatering Dream in Color Classy, colourway Ruby River.

And reading, browsing, wishing I had more time:  Embroidery Companion, by Posie Gets Cosy.  We were at the library as a family this weekend, which means that I actually had a chance to look at the new arrivals, and I snagged this one.  Chock full of lovliness and inspiration.

Please stop back tomorrow, as I am having a giveaway of my Aubrey vest pattern!

You can see what others are knitting and reading here.

Treasure

 
 
 
Some of the little things that feel like treasure these days....

the garden thinking and planning .....yummy mother and son made scones......some hand-sewn doll love (more about this later)

And some insiring ideas from around the web:

• tiny doll shoes
• teaching little ones about Lent
• something "healthy" for Easter baskets
• felted wool Easter bunnies
• thrifty kitchen quiche tutorial
• color, color, and more color!

Yarn Along

 
Joining Ginny again, early this morning...

On the needles: the first project for June Babe, almost finished

In the library: reading The Write Start, how to encourage writing in children.  The little boy shocked us by starting to learn his letters on his own, so I've been researching fun ways of teaching him his letters.  The author has a great blog, where she writes about the activities she does with her own children to encourage writing.  She's got fantastic ideas!

loving this yellow

...especially on the boy with the milky, cookie-crumbly face!

elevating dinner

Growing up we were fortunate to always eat dinner together as a family, and we are happy to continue that tradition with our kids.  While meal-times these days usually consist of one (or both) babies fussing/crying, I know there will come a day when we will all sit in our own seats, and converse civilly with each other.  Little Guy will say, "And how was your day, Mother?"  (This would be right after he rises up and calls me blessed:)  Inspired by this post, and in anticipation of that day, I made this set of place-mats.

All made from the stash with some vintage quilt squares and rick-rack for embellishment.  The rick-rack is strategically placed to give little helpers a reminder as to where napkins and forks go.

A very fun, quick project, for the nap times when I'm too tired to fall asleep!  And one of my favorite parts, the back of the place-mats is fabric from a tablecloth from one of the babies' great-grandmas.

A little remembering of family past, and much hope for our family's future! 

What meal time rituals does your family enjoy?

pretty in pink

At all times of day and night...(and I am counting that little grin as a smile:)

summer skirt

 

Inspired by Dottie Angel's apron skirt.  This was very fun to make, since it only took about 15 minutes (minus the hem, this still needs to be done once I've got my post-baby body back).  The underskirt is white linen, with a vintage apron overskirt, and vintage tea towel and doily embellishment.  For the underskirt, I used Angry Chicken's 5-minute skirt instructions: fantastic, and the fold-over-elastic is very satisfying!  Now I just need a lacy slip to go underneath, and I've started my summer wardrobe!

pastel paintings

Hello!  We had a lovely weekend here with sunny skies and warm weather; hoping Spring is almost here!  And aren't these just the perfect Spring-y paintings?

The Garden Parasol, 1910

The Birdcage, 1910

Good Morning, 1913

Another new favorite artist, American Frederick Carl Frieseke.  Aren't they gorgeous?  These pretty colors are really delighting me right now!

I'm in crazy baby-waiting mode, and about to tackle some new projects.  Like these:

From, The Purl Bee

I need this baby out now: anyone have suggestions for naturally inducing labor?  Last time I tried the birth ball (didn't work).  I finally went into labor after eating Chipotle?  So that's where we're having dinner tonight, after lots of walking today!:)  Wish me luck!

skirt collage

Apron Skirt, by Dottie Angel

Isn't this wonderful?  It is inspiration for my spring and summer dressing.  Elastic waistbands will my friends, and skirts are just so much more comfortable in the heat than pants!

 

by Saidos da Concha on Flickr

From Green Wellies Flickr

I have a modest collection of vintage aprons, and am always sorry that I can't wear them out of the house.  So, I will be putting them to use on some "skirt collages," soon to be undertaken, as soon as I can get a realistic measurement of my presently non-existent waist!  (I may have to cheat in my eagerness and measure a skirt from last year post-baby!  It is an elastic waistband, after all.)

And a couple of goody piles for my inspiration....it's fun looking through the stash to find embellishments and odds and ends.

 

What styles are getting you excited for Spring dressing?

I'm off to a quilt show tomorrow; hope you too have something fun planned for the weekend!