Update on totes and aprons

Category: Daily Happenings | Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 12:16 am

I've been thinking of doing an update on here about my aprons and totes. I've been doing okay selling them at the farmer's market and business is picking up. One of the produce gardeners asked me about making him an apron with a large pocket that he could put tomatoes in when he picks them. We started to work out the details and the other people at the market came over (there are five of them) and a lively discussion ensued and the result was two different aprons for picking produce. One for the man who wanted to pick tomatoes and another for the two who wanted to pick peas and okra and other produce. They wanted an opening at the bottom to empty the apron when they got to the end of the row. They are made on a reworked bib apron with a sort of tote pocket with a large entry on both sides and fastened under the top pocket with velcro. It went over great and I have made three of them and have orders for a couple more for the feed store. Then, Gaye and I were talking on Friday about a garden apron for ladies since the men had a farm apron. So, we looked at the bib aprons I had already made and reworked one on paper and I came home and sewed it. The men, of course, had their say in the design, too. It has three pockets across the middle for garden tools and gloves, a cell phone pocket at the top and a larger pocket that fastens with a button to hold herbs, flowers or kitchen garden produce. This and the farm apron are made with a slightly heavier material than the regular aprons. The farm aprons are denim and the garden aprons are from pink khaki material or duck. I'm not sure what you would call it. I bought it at the American Legion sale. Lots of it. That's what got us onto the subject of ladies aprons. I'm also making Halloween totes and Christmas gift bags. There is a mushroom festival in Madisonville on Oct.17th. While I am not going to set up at the festival the farmer's market is only a few blocks away on a main highway through town so we are bound to get some strays. The guy who runs the farmer's market has flyers out and has ads in the paper that we will still be there that day.
That's the good news. Now for the bad news! When I was sewing the denim farm apron this morning my sewing machine fell apart. I did the last tie for it and went over a thicker seam and the part that hold the needle came off of the shaft and it won't go back on it. Well, it goes back on but it doesn't stay. When you let go, it falls right off.
So, tomorrow we will go looking at sewing machines. It is not in our budget but we will look anyway and see what is available. Maybe? We'll see what happens! That's it. dooley

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Sjoerd wrote on Wed Oct 07, 2009 12:22 am:

Good story about the discussing and planning . Those aprons/bibs sound handy.

What a disappointment that that "foot"-thingy fell off. The additional cost of a sewing machine was not counted-on.

My bride's sewing machine gave up the ghost two years ago so we had to get a new one. We did alot of looking and found some very cheap ones.
I sure hope that you guys can find one that isn't too costly.

Fingers crossed.

eileen wrote on Wed Oct 07, 2009 1:34 am:

I'm really pleased for you Dooley that your totes and aprons are doing so well. Your business could really take off now that you are getting orders for specific types. I Just hope that you can find another sewing machine soon that will be in good condition. If only you lived nearer you could borrow mine until you found another one for yourself.

dooley wrote on Wed Oct 07, 2009 1:43 am:

I'm sure if Glenda was home I could use hers for a few days until I could figure it all out. I saw one on the internet that I like so I'm going to call Laurel in a bit and see what she knows about it. Dan says she is the expert on sewing machines. We will go tomorrow and look at it at the store. dooley

Jewell2009 wrote on Wed Oct 07, 2009 4:33 am:

Your aprons sound fantastic with all the speciality designs for gardening. Hopefully you can find a sewing machine for a great price, and won't slow you down. Good luck.

daisybeans wrote on Wed Oct 07, 2009 11:22 am:

What great ideas for the aprons -- necessity is the mother of invention? Sorry about the sewing machine. What poor timing, right? I bought a very inexpensive machine a couple of years ago at somewhere like Walmart or K-Mart, or maybe Target (I think it is a Brother?) and it works great, even on heavier fabrics. But I don't use it as much as you do, so I wonder if you;ll need one that is heavier duty. Good that you have another expert to consult.

lulu1107 wrote on Thu Oct 08, 2009 5:46 pm:

Dooley, they sound great...especially the part about the lower openings to allow removal of the picked produce. I am a balloon twister and I swear by my balloon twister apron. The cell phone pocket is also a very good idea. I've dropped my cell phone so many times while working outside. You could also sell quite a few Mother's Little Helper aprons designed for kids...One for helping in the kitchen and one for helping in the yard or garage! I bet they'd sell like hotcakes!