#pocketwin: Lagenlook Aprons

[ysabetwordsmith]

While researching something else, I stumbled across lagenlook aprons. These come in nice fabrics with big pockets, and are designed to be worn over other clothes.  They differ from kitchen aprons in that they are meant as fashion wear, not just for messy tasks; but they still add pockets for practicality.  Alas, they are also ruinously expensive; see examples from America and England.

However, aprons are among the easiest garments to make. Even if you can't sew, you could probably make one with fabric glue or ironing tape. You just take a rectangle of fabric, taper the top if you wish, put a wide strip across the bottom and make channels to divide that into pockets, then attach a neck loop or ties and waist ties.  You can actually put a lot more pockets than that, but remember weight; the more pockets you want, the heavier the fabric needs to be.  For a lightweight fashion fabric like calico, one bottom row is probably plenty.  With denim, you can trick it out like a carpenter's apron if you want to.

Here are some patterns so you can make your own tie-on pocket garment:

https://www.hgtv.com/design/make-and-celebrate/handmade/make-a-no-sew-waist-apron

https://shop.mybluprint.com/sewing/article/how-to-sew-an-apron/

https://www.threadsmagazine.com/2012/01/16/free-patterns-for-three-apron-styles

https://abeautifulmess.com/2018/01/sew-your-own-half-apron.html

https://weallsew.com/charming-pocket-apron/

https://www.allfreesewing.com/Aprons

Comments

Re: Well ...

[acelightning]

I had an appointment with my neurologist a couple of weeks ago, and it had been three months since my last appointment. He always teases me about being an old hippie, so I tie-dyed myself a t-shirt, in a simple purple-on-white spiral, to wear to the appointment. I've tie-dyed a lot of things, and scrubs wouldn't be impossible, assuming I could find 100% cotton scrubs (the dye doesn't take too well on synthetic fibers). I threatened to make him a tie-dyed shirt, but maybe he would object less to a scrub shirt ;-)

Re: Well ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

The last place on the list advertised 100% cotton, though I'd expect it to cost more than synthetics. They have to offer some natural fibers, because some things -- certain chemicals and fire -- you don't want to mix with synthetic fabric.

Re: Well ...

[acelightning]

I once had an opportunity to take a very basic class in blacksmithing, and we were told that all clothing we wore to the class had to be natural fibers like wool and cotton, because they wouldn't flame up. I think I saw some 100% cotton sweatshirts at the Army/Navy store (my husband was shopping for work boots). I could certainly tie-dye a sweatshirt ;-)

Re: Well ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

>>I once had an opportunity to take a very basic class in blacksmithing, and we were told that all clothing we wore to the class had to be natural fibers like wool and cotton, because they wouldn't flame up.<<

Yep. Same with any activity involving fire, natural fibers are recommended. Our coven robes are unbleached muslin.

>> I think I saw some 100% cotton sweatshirts at the Army/Navy store (my husband was shopping for work boots).<<

That's a good place to look. Farm stores and wilderness stores may have them too. An advantage of cotton is that it wears well over time, whereas synthetics or blends break down.

>> I could certainly tie-dye a sweatshirt ;-) <<

They're easy, you just have to remember that it takes a LOT more dye than a T-shirt because the fabric is 2-5 times thicker. On the other hoof, you can 'paint' dye onto a sweatshirt and it'll work better than it does on thinner cloth. The lines will still spread, but they won't run to hell and gone.

Re: Well ...

[acelightning]

Last winter I needed a pair of boots suitable for a few inches of snow - I hadn't had any in years. My husband was also shopping for boots, and I asked the store people if they had any in women's sizes. They didn't, but they had a chart of men's sizes compared to women's. I tried on a pair of boots in the size that seemed equivalent to my women's size, and they fit perfectly, and the next time it snowed I didn't have to worry about my feet getting wet.

I know what men's sizes fit me, at least in sweatshirts and jackets and t-shirts. (I can't wear men's pants because if they fit in the hips, they're six sizes too big in the waist.) So here are a few more projects for me ;-)