Whiteley Creek Homestead

On Saturday my daughter, Jessica, and I enjoyed sharing the day together at an antique sale. This vintage flap pocket apron that she purchased became my inspiration for a sewing project that I completed today.

I decided to make a skirt and use supplies that I already had on hand. I initially planned a velcro or hook and eye closure for the skirt back since I didn’t want to fuss with a zipper. However, as I gathered fabric pieces I couldn’t resist sorting through this stash of old metal-teeth zippers to find the perfect one for my project. They were a stinky tangled mess when I brought them home from an estate sale, but after a soap soak, a swish in the washing machine, and several hours of detangling their beautiful colors broke through.

Zippers are really very simple, especially centered ones (as opposed to lapped seam zippers). I hadn’t inserted one for several years, but the steps came back to me without having to refer to any directions, as if I had done one yesterday.

The zipper is in, sash with ties hang lazily at the apron’s sides, and triangles of vintage hankies add interest and a splash of color to the bottom of the skirt. I made this skirt without a pattern by tapping into basic sewing skills floating around in my head. I made notes and jotted down measurements as I progressed so that I could share the steps with you. However, upon completion I happened to run across a skirt tutorial whose creator had already kindly recorded detailed steps for all of us to follow.

I will wear the skirt with leggings (footless tights)… shoes optional, with capris, over jeans with the legs rolled up to the length of capris, or simply as a skirt in its traditional fashion. Add a colorful top and a fun pair of sandals… and off to the farmer’s market I go.