Scrap Pile to Aprons

I struggle to toss out the scraps from the studio. I love a good scrap pile. After a long talk with myself about the meaning of the term, “self-discipline”, I now limit myself to only the big chunks. Big chunks are defined as big enough to get at least an apron skirt out of it. It was a hard limit. Scraps to a seamstress is like to a child, being gifted the biggest, giant box of crayons with all the colors in the world.

After somewhat meeting my goal, the bigger scraps have piled up and I have gotten my reward, a chance to play and reassemble aprons in new fun ways.

Studio time with no constraints, no deadline, clocks, meetings, or expectations of any kind is my happy place, especially surround sound music, an endless supply of great coffee and an incredible scrap pile.

I find when I work unrestrained, certain trends appear. Straight lines exit quickly. Looking over my first scrap apron, I have to give myself credit, I am pretty sure that I eliminated every straight line possible. Well, the center bodice seam is straight. But then it is crafted from a swirly print. Does that count? It’s always an eye opener to design with complete freedom and then sit back and look at what you did. It is sometimes a train wreck and other times, well rarely but it happens, you astound yourself. Most times, it’s somewhere in between.

I have friends who create an original sketch and work from that. I was never able to do so. I start with the fabric and then I think my process is that of a writer, in that the prints are my characters and then they show me how they want to go together.  What they become is always a surprise and a fun result.