Friday, January 18, 2019

McCall's 1104

A few years ago I began collecting vintage apron patterns. I enjoy the variety of styles and unique details found in older apron patterns. It is amazing to contemplate just how many different apron patterns were available in the 1930's through the 1960's. Women must have enjoyed sewing aprons during that time period and they must have enjoyed individualizing their aprons to reflect their own special sense of style.
 One of the first truly vintage apron patterns I purchased was McCall's 1104. Originally I found the pattern on Pinterest, and then began searching for a copy to purchase on Etsy and Ebay. Thankfully it is a fairly common pattern, and from what I have observed it appears that it was reprinted more than once.
One of my favorite features of this apron is the back button design. I dislike aprons that ties at the back of my neck, as they seem to pull and grow uncomfortable throughout the day. When I discovered this design I was immediately taken with the back button closure. Not only is it cute, it is comfortable! After making two aprons from this pattern for myself I can attest to the fact that this design is very wearable for a long day of working.
Besides being practical I think this apron is very flattering! The smooth front and slight gathering at the sides above the waist are a perfectly lovely detail.
Over the years I have had great fun selecting fabric and coordinating bias binding for these aprons. I think the fine bias binding adds the perfect vintage touch.
One fabric that has proven to be a favorite when paired with this apron design is this sweet chicken print. Last week I used the last of this fabric to sew one last golden/cream chicken apron.

I am hoping to share a little more about the vintage apron patterns I have collected and currently sew and sell in my Etsy shop. I have added a page at the top of my blog specifically for this type of post.

 
 

25 comments:

  1. That apron is so cute! I have a vintage Simplicity apron pattern that I just love.

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    1. Thank you, Regina! I bet your Simplicity pattern is lovely. : )

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    2. Regina,
      What is the number of your Simplicity pattern?

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  2. ADORO LOS DELANTALES, SIEMPRE LOS USO Y VOY HACIENDO ALGUNOS NUEVOS, ME GUSTAN CON PECHERA, SON PRACTICOS Y ASI NO SE ENSUCIA LA ROPA, YA QUE SIEMPRE TERMINO CON ALGUNA MANCHA SOBRETODO DE CLORO QUE USO MUCHO PARA LIMPIAR EL BAÑO Y PARA LA ROPA BLANCA. TRABAJAS MUCHO SARA, ERES UNA JOVEN ENCANTADORA. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

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    1. Thank you, Ana! Yes, aprons are so handy. I wear mine all of the time.

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  3. I love your etsy shop - have for years - almost entirely because you make old-style bib aprons. I LOATHE aprons that tie behind the neck! I have a true vintage, NOS bib apron I found - tags still on it! - in an antique shop that I wear but it's my only one. It has an over-the-head part that dips down and makes a flat part that lays across the back of your shoulders, and only waist ties. You've made some like it before, but I don't know the pattern. I love it and wish I had more like it! They're so hard to find and the fabric patterns are so limited when I do. Keep making repro aprons!

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    1. Thank you! : ) What a great find! I seldom see vintage aprons at antique stores now, so to find a new vintage apron would be a treasure.

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  4. love the look of the vintage aprons, so pretty. Alas, I am not a very good sewer, I crochet. I enjoyed visiting your place here, and am interested in trying those peanut butter shortbread cookies.

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    1. Thank you, Faith! I hope you will enjoy the recipe for peanut butter shortbread cookies. They are one of my favorites. : )

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  5. Your handiwork is always just beautiful, Sarah, and I love the sweet fabrics you always choose♥ This pattern is so lovely! I think it may be one of my favorites I have ever seen, especially the back. How neat to collect vintage apron patterns.
    I had the joy of sewing my mom an apron for one of her gifts this year :) It was not vintage, but I do have a couple of lovely 50s apron patterns I cherish that were thrifted.
    Loved what you brought out about ladies of the past enjoying sewing and personalizing their aprons to their own style- that is fun to think about, especially pondering what dear memories were made as mothers and daughters sewed them together, as well as how many aprons must have been made by loving mothers' hands to go in daughters' hope chests or as wedding gifts :)

    Such a joy to visit you today. Wishing you a very blessed weekend!
    -Jazzmin

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  6. I love vintage patterns, and nowadays they are not so easy to find. Such pretty aprons! I wear a typical Breton one, worn by all French housewives and always blue patterned.

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  7. I thought the pattern looked familiar and so I looked in my file box and found the very same one I had collected years ago while I was also sewing lots of aprons! Now that I'm getting my new sewing room settled in, I may just have to start in first in this nifty pattern.
    You do such a great job coordinating your apron fabrics. I truly admire your seeing skills...

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  8. What a fun idea to post about your favorite apron patterns! Love this style of apron. It has been awhile since I have actually made an apron!

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  9. Oh Sarah... I just enjoy seeing your aprons. I need to make myself some more, mine are wearing a bit thin :)

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  10. Hi Sarah,

    I enjoy wearing the two aprons I purchased from your shop! I really like this style with its gentle flair and also find it flattering with the smooth front and gathering at each side. The fabric and details are lovely. I did have to make an adjustment in the length of the back-straps and also in the area that buttons across the back in order to make it fit my size better. Do you accept requests for customizations at all with this pattern?

    ~ Lynne

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    1. Hi Lynne,

      I am so happy to know that you have enjoyed your aprons, and that you were able to have them altered to fit nicely. : ) Please send me a message through my Etsy shop explaining what alterations were made to the apron and I will let you know if it is something I could do. Thank you!

      Sarah

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    2. I will, thank you! :-)

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  11. I enjoyed this post. Since I'm a big gal, the vintage aprons don't fit me. But they sure are pretty.

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  12. I just adore your aprons and the beautiful material you use. I do believe that wearing an apron makes homemaking more pleasant.

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  13. How absolutely lovely these are! Also, how serendipitous that I found you as I have 2 apron patterns set out so I can decide on fabrics. Your blog is 'comforting' (that might sound odd.) It's just nice to find old-fashioned kindness. Needless to say, I'm now a follower:-)
    Have a beautiful day.

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  14. Hello Sarah, Your comment on aprons with neck ties resonated with me. I also feel they hang, putting weight on your neck. The button backed apron you pictured is a lovely design , I have a couple. I also love the "Prairie Pinafore " style , they give great coverage, and as an all day apron wearer that is essential. lol

    Grace.

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    1. Thank you, Grace! This is definitely one of my favorite apron style. : )

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  15. Bonjour j'aimerais bien m'en procurer un de ces tabliers là merci

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  16. I would love to find this pattern..is it available for purchase?

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    1. This apron pattern is often available through Ebay and Etsy. Thank you!

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