Hotdish Aprons are based on vintage patterns but have today’s style in mind.
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Fabric
I create each and every Hotdish Apron using the finest, fashion-forward fabrics--from high-quality cottons to specialty fabrics such as machine-washable Ultraleather--and carefully design, cut, and sew each apron in my Boise studio. Most aprons are one-of-a-kind creations; a few include vintage fabric or trim; some use custom-designed patterns. Fit "One size fits most." Most aprons have adjustable neck and waist ties. If you have questions about fit or require a custom size, please ask. Care These aprons are easy to care for: machine wash and dry, or air-dry to retain color brightness. Pressing and a bit of spray starch is optional, and gives your apron a fresh, crisp look. Where To Buy If you want to shop for a Hotdish apron, please consider visiting the Mixing Bowl located at 216 9th Street, Boise, ID 83702. They carry great kitchen-related items! After eleven years of participating in weekly markets and regional arts & crafts festivals, I've now pared down my production schedule and sales outlets to just this one store. |
The Story behind hotdish aprons
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In the 1950s my grandmother and great-aunts wore functional aprons made from colorful cotton prints. This was an era when an apron was a required accompaniment for every chore performed in the home, from cleaning to cooking to entertaining.
Besides being great homemakers, all the women in my family excelled in several needle arts: crocheting, embroidery, knitting, sewing, tatting, and quilting. It was the sewing machine that captured my attention, and my first sewing project was a green gingham apron made using the Bishop Method of Clothing Construction. From that first effort (and through some typical "beginner" sewing disasters) I carried on, eventually earning a BA in Textiles and Clothing (with a special emphasis on textile history) from Michigan State University. I was the only student in the program who sewed with a treadle sewing machine! During my first years in Idaho as a "back-to-the-lander" living in a one-room cabin in the mountains outside Salmon, I focused on spinning, dyeing, and weaving rugs and garments which I sold at arts and craft festivals and galleries throughout the Northwest. My interest now is centered on aprons: I love every step of the process from creating an appealing new design, to matching it to fabulous fabric, to carefully constructing it. The name "Hotdish Aprons"has a double meaning: in the Midwest, it's the preferred name for casserole, and of course it also refers to the "dishy" dame doing the cooking! Christine Brady Boise, Idaho |