The Yardwork Apron - Utility Apron Update!

Hello! It has been a while since I typed anything here but I wanted to introduce the official Yardwork Apron. My last post featured a very early version of my utility apron, which was a work in progress!

I have made many versions since then, but I am now selling what I consider to be the "official" version of what I am calling The Yardwork Apron. Sold exclusively in my etsy shop.

The Yardwork Apron comes with either a canvas weight linen or 8 oz. denim as the "base fabric". Right now, there are 8 different trim options - 4 for the denim and 4 for the linen. These options will change, of course, if the aprons keep selling and I can continue to make them. Let's have a look!

First, the linen versions - here it is with a lovely black and gold block print

another with a green batik block print - you can see all the pockets a little better here

The large fabric loop on the left side, right at the top and of one of the front pockets, holds that heavy pair of scissors! You can hardly feel the weight of the scissors when they are in the loop. Wonder what else that loop would hold.....

All of these trim fabrics are more beautiful up close and in person! Go to the shop to see a few more close-up photos! You can also click on these photos to see a larger version. 

As you can see here, the brass D-ring is for hanging a towel - or anything else that fits!

I invented that little tag having from the key clip - it has magnetic tape on it and is great for holding pins, nails, picture hanging hooks, etc. 

This apron does lots of jobs!

the denim version has a great boho vibe!

this copper-colored trim is more of a contrast. A really lively print!

love this red trim! beautiful bohemian!

Last but not least, the indigo batik trim. This one has been very popular!

I had one of each in the shop for Christmas sales, but will now be making them to order. Usually it only takes me a day or so, but please allow a full week because I have lots of other jobs going on! Some of the aprons are already made up and in stock, so if time is of the essence, just message me over at ETSY and I can tell you which ones are ready to ship or how much time I will need to make one especially for you!

Utility Aprons for all kinds of Yardwork!

I spent a lot of time in the early fall sewing these aprons for my ETSY shop. These would make a great gift for the gardener, crafter, painter, sculptor, or seamstress in your life! Or maybe you just know someone very involved in home repair! Perfect! Basically a tool belt for women.

The main body of this apron is made up of very heavy natural linen which makes it super sturdy! You can put all sorts of tools in the pockets without worrying about damage.

I had a lot of fun using some of the scraps from my first collection of block printed fabric, along with the heavy linen, for this fun "boho" style apron. This one, I washed and then hung it to dry. I decided not to iron and I really like the casual rumpled look. Plus, who likes to iron?

Here is an ironed version!

These three sturdy linen aprons have lots of different sized pockets. And, all three aprons have this "specialty pocket" which is made up of one tall skinny pocket (great for scissors), a shorter pocket which is good for a cell phone or a notepad, then a quilted business card sized pocket right above the hem. You could keep business cards there, if you are a professional seamstress or a craft vendor, or any other small item such as a box of pins, measuring tape, seeds, a recipe....the list goes on!

I also added this slightly elasticized strip of fabric which is great for holding a hand towel and keeping it within reach! I really tried to think through what a person needs while doing their work and, in most cases, keeping your hands clean is important!

This apron is the original and more simply designed style I have carried in my shop in the past. People have really liked these - they have sold well and have gotten great reviews from customers. This style is lighter weight and is very comfortable to wear. It has three evenly sized pockets rather than the elaborate combination of pockets in the heavy linen aprons. 

Same style as the red apron, but this gold and black one has four pockets. The ties on all aprons are long enough to wrap around and tie in front. 

Would love to make more before Christmas

but I doubt I will have time.

Lots of things in the works! 

But if these sell out, I'll make more in the spring, so stay tuned!

Hand Printed Boho Chic Summer Tees

Ever since my post about Fashion Fabric Printing, I have been anxious to put that into action! So, months ago, I purchased some very simple organic gauze cotton "t-shirts" from an ETSY shop based in Thailand. They have a curved hem, round neck, capped sleeves and an easy "swing" style. If I was going to print directly onto an already-made garment, I needed it to have fairly simple lines, so this style was perfect. And, rather than being knit, the cotton gauze definitely added to the boho vibe I was going for!

Of course, being a bohemian-style printing project, I had to start with my Hippie Chick stamp set. Both the stamps and this shirt were specifically created to release your inner flower child! Adding to this, the cotton gauze takes the fabric paint beautifully. Printed in two different rose tones, I think the result is quite appealing.

This one is a little more elaborate and makes use of another obvious choice, my Bohemian Dreams stamp set. It is printed in three shades of blue which brings to mind the batiked, indigo-dyed fabrics that are so popular these days.

I considered printing more around the neckline and/or sleeves on this one but decided to keep it simple. A very clean look and more like a basic graphic tee. The leafy floral motif, printed in two shades of green, is from my stamp set that I call Castle Courtyard.

Using diamond motifs from my Ashley's Garden Companions stamp set, I gave this blouse more of a retro look. I went crazy with this one and printed the front, sides....

..........AND the back!

Last but not least, a blouse with simple and pretty stripes made up of a smaller leafy motif from Castle Courtyard stamps.

You might be thinking, if I bought these shirts months ago, why did it take so long to get them in the shop? Were they terribly complicated and difficult to print? Absolutely not! Just practice on paper first! Iron a crease on the center/front (and back if want to continue there) of your shirt to use as a guide, then get in your zen mode, turn on the music, hold your breath and print! 

My Fabric Printing Gift Set is just what you need to get started!

Unfortunately, I am very sad to report that the shop where I purchased these plain white cotton gauze shirts has since closed. So, these pretty shirts are most definitely "LIMITED EDITION"! But, if you want to make your own, I am sure you can find something similar. Or just start with a basic knit t-shirt - the tighter (smaller? smoother?) the knit, the better. 

OK, why the delay? Well, in-between buying the shirts and now, I was approved to open a shop on ETSY Wholesale! Yay! That's right, I am now selling Yardwork Clear Decor Stamps wholesale. The short story is, I had a lot to figure out! 

So, if you are a retailer, be it "brick and mortar" or online, and would like to carry my stamp sets, please contact me through my retail ETSY shop or at yardworkartwork@gmail.com. If you are not yet signed up for buying on ETSY Wholesale, I can send you a special guest pass to view my line sheet. Please note, only my stamps sets will be available wholesale - NOT the other fabric printing supplies that I carry or bohemian fabric by the yard.

After that, if you want to view more and more on ETSY Wholesale, I'm sure it's easy to sign up. Warning: you will definitely need to provide a tax resale number 

and proof that you are buying for resale.

Indigo Petals is Back! Indigo Resist-Dyed Fabric from India

I had my popular "Indigo Petals" design printed again and it just arrived in the mail yesterday! It is an even deeper indigo blue this time around, which means it spent a little more time in the dye bath. It is a really lovely all-over non-directional geometric pattern that is both traditional and contemporary. 

I am also offering FREE shipping in the US for all my new cotton prints from India! And the shipping rates for Canada, Europe and beyond has been reduced. This is only for the hand printed fabrics from India that are available as yardage. Therefore, this excludes the fat quarter bundles, patchwork bundles, SALE fabrics, and "last piece" fabrics. 

Wonderful fabrics for summer!

Beautiful New Cotton Hand Printed Fabrics from India!

Just got a new shipment of fabrics from India that I'm really excited about. It was a fairly small shipment of just six different prints but I love them all! You can buy them now, by the yard, in my shop.

A beautifully detailed black and red and white print.

I think this one has such a whimsical charm!

So pretty and fresh - perfect for Spring!

An indigo resist print that is so outstanding!

Another indigo resist print with a totally different character. I love the line work in this one. Reminds me of a woodcut block print.

I always like to order at least one simple geometric. I love this simple hand painted stripe.

And I'm also selling the three indigo prints as a fat quarter bundle.

Hope you like them!

Fabrics for Valentine's Day

With my duo of romantically inclined stamp sets on sale for Valentine's Day, I have been doing some experiments, using stamps with red fabric dye, color magnet, red fabric paint, and deColourant. Both the Color Magnet and deColourant are fairly new, gel-like, products for use in fabric arts.

This little swatch was created using my "Kitchen Window" stamp set which was inspired by spongeware pottery. I thought a bouquet of roses would be appropriate for the holiday! The rose was stamped using the Color Magnet, which attracts more color in the dye bath. Then, after dying and drying, I used the deColourant to remove color. I love the texture that stamping with the dColourant  added. It really brought the spongeware pottery look back into the design in a way I was not able to achieve with fabric paint.

I stumbled upon deColourant while experimenting with stamping with bleach to remove color from fabric. The main problem with bleach is that, even after washing, you have to combat the bleaching action in some way because the bleach will eventually eat right through your fabric. Bleach just keeps on bleaching until there is nothing there and washing with soap and water is not enough! You need to use either hydrogen peroxide or this chemical known as Anti-Chlor. I like to try to keep the chemicals and various product purchases to a minimum, plus I've done some tests comparing the bleach (I used dishwashing bleach gel) and the deColourant and I am seeing better results with the deColourant. It does have a strange smell, as does bleach, but it can be easily rinsed away afterwards. 

Another little swatch, this time with the Color Magnet and then a darker shade of fabric paint. On the blank fabric swatch, it was a little hard to see where I had stamped before and where to stamp next. The Color Magnet is tinted yellow but my fabric was a fairly deep ivory so it did not show very well. However, I think this ended up working in my favor because it loosened the design up a bit. I cared less about precision and more about process and discovery. Of course, once I dyed the swatch, it was easy to see what had been stamped and positioning the stamps with the fabric paint was a breeze!

This is my favorite. So simple and sweet. I used just one stamp from the "Hippie Chick" stamp set. First, I used the back of the stamp, which is a perfect polka dot, to stamp with the Color Magnet. After dying, I turned the stamp back over and printed with the red fabric paint and then again using the deColourant. 

This print uses just the deColourant and the red fabric paint. Both the Color Magnet and deColourant have a very thin consistency. Much more thin than fabric paint. I was afraid that stamping would not be possible, but I think you can see that the details in the stamps held up quite well!

I'm very happy with the results. Somehow the prints look more vintage than when using only fabric paint on solid colored, commercially dyed fabric. I can't wait to try more!

But first I want to see if I can make something

really nice with these Valentine's Day swatches!

NEW Clear Stamp Sets in Yardwork's Shop!

I have now listed, in my shop, all nine new Yardwork Clear Decor Stamp sets!

Castle Courtyard

Razzle Dazzle

Bebop

Hippie Chick

Daisy Chain

Kitchen Window

Bohemian Dreams

Ashley's Garden Companions

Temple Garden

I hope you enjoy them.

In case you missed it, have a look at the printing tips from

my last blog post!

Hand Printed Burlap Table Runners

I never really got involved in the (not so) recent shabby chic-ish burlap home decor trend. Is that over? I don't even know for sure, but I suspect it is way past it's prime. So, I'm not really clear on why I purchased about 2 yards of burlap (online) a couple of weeks ago. I was in my stamp designing frenzy, spending hours on the computer, and a promotional email from a fabric store came in offering quite a deal on burlap. Yep, that's it, I got sucked in. I am very vulnerable that way. I believe my original intention was to make some sort of kitchen floor covering. The jute is pretty sturdy and you can print it and hem it and wouldn't that be fun? At least I thought so at the moment and I do still think it's a pretty good idea. However, I ended up making a couple of table runners instead. Why?

Well, because I did this really quick test with a stamp and fabric paint. The fibers absorbed the paint beautifully. I was inspired!

But what really impressed me, and sent me into the table top direction, was that the beautifully absorbed paint did not absorb all the way to the back of the fabric. That rarely happens. I've only been able to achieve that result with the very heaviest of linen and really heavy linen is expensive and a little hard to iron. Often creases will not go away no matter how much steam you blast into them. Anyway, I did soon discover that most of my stamps won't print well on burlap because they are too detailed (and my stamps are more "graphic" than most clear stamps on the market). I could only work with the most simple of shapes and, luckily, I have some simple shapes coming up in one of my new stamp sets which I, of course, have samples of. I'm planning to call this particular set "Bebop" because it has that sort of jazzy 50s vibe.

So, this (above) was my first attempt. Very simple. It definitely suits my taste, I don't know about anyone else's. Looks great with vintage dishes (think 40's& 50's) or stoneware pottery (although I don't happen to have any of that, I can only imagine!). I like that it is not overly feminine. Could even be a gift for a man. A man that cooks and entertains. 

Like my turkey plate?

Then I moved on to this one (shown above). Again, simple. I allowed the edge to fringe a bit more and I like it that way. I like that fuzziness of the fringe along with the texture of the burlap itself. That is my kind of table runner! And I have not met too many I like. Too fussy. When hosting a dinner party, I usually just arrange a well-loved vintage fabric swatch in the middle of the table or layer a few old vintage tablecloths. My dishes are "vintage" and all my serving dishes are mix & matched things I have collected over the years, so this is the look for me. And I'm sure there are other people like me out there and they are all going to be my new target market! Finally I have found them!

Most likely I will give these as Christmas gifts.

Then I will continue to perfect my craft.

The bad news is: I'm out of burlap. Should I buy more? Also, my stamp sets will not be delivered until November 20th! Yikes. My stamp manufacturer must be really busy because it usually only takes about 2 weeks. This is more like four weeks..... but I'm not going to let it get me down.

 I might possibly have them all photographed and in my shop by Thanksgiving. 

So, until then.....