Today we will finish up our kitchen makeover with aprons. How many of you have / use aprons? I know many young women who do not. Their history begins in France where chefs used small tablecloths to protect their clothing and to make their status known. Any of you remember the TV show “Leave it to Beaver” or “Father Knows best”. The apron was an indication of home, family, and well-adjusted lives. As the 80’s came, more women left the home to find satisfaction and reward outside the home. The apron came to be looked on as an old-fashioned garment worn by “grandmothers” Then came cooking shows and they are now back in vogue.
As you might expect an apron is sometimes the first item a beginner sewists makes. It can be made from cotton, muslin, or canvas. There are many types of aprons. Bib aprons or full aprons have been worn for many years. It can be full length or cut off at the knees. Most are slipped over the head and tied at the waist with straps. The second type of apron we will try is the waist apron. These do not have a bib and just protect from the waist to knee. It is the most popular type of aprons for homemakers, restaurants, and bars.
Remember to look at the Free PDF that were posted Monday, February 20 AppleGreen Cottage - Easy Potholder Pattern or Quilt Expressions – Folded Potholder.
Fast and easy, Paper & Stitch --How To Sew A DIY Apron In 10 Minutes, using fabric you have or maybe an old tablecloth or shower curtain. This tutorial is a must because I always messing up my clothes when I’m cooking. You won’t even need a pattern. Just remember measure twice and cut once. Or in my case measure in triplicate.
The Tea Towel Apron is very quick to put together and perfect for the beginning sewer. All you need is a couple of tea towels. An intermediate skill needed or learned will be buttonholes. Don’t let this scare you off. You will find plenty of uses for this new skill.
These PDF’s will be available February 27th.
Please share your project with us at on Instagram #Chateausew&show
The favorite apron pattern in our shop is the CrissCross Apron. Because it is reversable, you need 2 yards of fabric. But is it sew worth it. If you want something REAL easy, try the Moda Apron Tea Towel Panel.
I hope you have enjoyed making these useful / decorative kitchen items. Look for these Free DIY patterns February 27.
Now that the Carnival Season is over. I am cooking to lighter meals. One of my favorite light quick meals is Shrimp Scampi. Hope you enjoy
SHRIMP SCAMPI
INGREDIENTS
Yield: 4 servings
- 2tablespoons butter
- 2tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 4garlic cloves, minced
- ½cup dry white wine or broth
- ¾teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- ⅛teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1¾pounds large or extra-large shrimp, shelled
- ⅓cup chopped parsley
- Freshly squeezed juice of half a lemon
- Cooked pasta or crusty bread
PREPARATION
In a large skillet, melt butter with olive oil. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add wine or broth, salt, red pepper flakes and plenty of black pepper and bring to a simmer. Let wine reduce by half, about 2 minutes.
Add shrimp and sauté until they just turn pink, 2 to 4 minutes depending upon their size. Stir in the parsley and lemon juice and serve over pasta or accompanied by crusty bread.