quilting

Quilted Garden Apron

Since the last part of this post will be about our little orchard adventure, I thought I show you the Quilted Garden Apron I recently made with Green Thumb Girls fabric by Carolyn Suzuki for Paintbrush Studio Fabrics.

Paintbrush Studio Fabrics generously provided me with these fabrics for this little apron. I was particularly drawn to this piece.

Quilted Garden Apron - This fabric from the Green Thumb Girls fabric line (by Carolyn Suzuki for Paintbrush Studios) gave me the inspiration for a quilted garden apron - piecefulthoughts.com

It made me think of beautiful gardens with big leafy green plants and gorgeous flowers. Then I thought of the tools needed for gardening, and the idea for a garden tool apron was born.

Quilted Garden Apron - This little apron is made from the Green Thumb Girls fabric line (by Carolyn Suzuki for Paintbrush Studios) - piecefulthoughts.com

This little apron measures around 10″ by 20″. I cut two pieces for the apron, added a scrap piece of batting, and quilted it with quick diagonal lines. Then I cut the pieces for the pocket and did the same thing. Once the pocket was quilted, I added the binding to the top of the pocket. Layering the pocket on top of the apron back, I stitched the pocket dividers, then added the binding around the sides and bottom of the apron. The last step was to add the binding/ties to the top edge of the apron. Done! It was a quick, fun little project. This little apron will soon be tucked into an envelope and sent to my cousin. She has a green thumb and will hopefully enjoy using this apron while she’s puttering in her garden.

Cherries Jubilee

On the first morning of our Door County adventure, I sipped my coffee while admiring this beautiful view of Lake Michigan.

Morning Sunrise over Lake Michigan - piecefulthoughts.com

I could get used to a morning view like that, but there were cherries to pick. BigJ was very excited to be on his way to the orchard, so off we went.

My view changed a bit, but oh my, was it ever pretty!

Gorgeous cherries on the trees at Meleddy Cherry Farm in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin - piecefulthoughts.com

The trees were literally laden with cherries, so it was very easy to pick them. I popped one in my mouth, and it was very, very tart. Just so you know I did actually pick cherries and not just eat them, here’s proof.

It was a cherry pickin' morning at Meleddy Cherry Farm in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin - piecefulthoughts.com

There I am, in all my cherry-pickin’ glory! I thought I was smiling when BigJ took the pic. Maybe I still had that tart cherry thing going on! Haha.

We started out with four buckets, which we had filled in less than an hour. BigJ said he thought we needed more buckets, so he went to get two more, and returned with . . . three. Left to his own devices, I think he would’ve cleared the orchard. The man loves his cherries! We managed to stop at 7 buckets (one is missing in this photo).

We maybe got just a little carried away with cherry picking at Meleddy Cherry Farm in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin - piecefulthoughts.com

Now that we are home, while I’ve been quilting, BigJ has been processing all those cherries. Don’t they look lovely, all lined up doing their fermenting thing in the window?

Brandied cherries processing in the sunlight of our kitchen window - piecefulthoughts.com

There’s a few things processing in my quilt room too, while the cherries are doing their thing. Some of the projects have to brew a bit more before I can show them to you, others will be showing up soon. So stop back and see what I get done this weekend!

What have you been up to while I’ve been cherry pickin’?

Wendy

34 Comments

  • Vicki in MN

    That’s pretty good that Big J processes them while you quilt!! Did he do all of them? Your cousin will be gardening in style now:) That apron will come in very handy when it is planting season, tucking those seed packets in the pockets, great idea.

  • Karen Goad

    does he pit the cherries first – or are they fermented to use in brandy but the actually cherries not eaten?

  • My Sewful Retirement

    I’m jealous of those cherries –I’m drooling over all the items I would make using them ♥♥ Love your gardening apron — I definitely need one! I’ve been busy getting ready to teach a couple of classes — as usual I’m over thinking but having fun at the same time! Have a great weekend!

  • Diann Bottrell

    That apron is so cute, and what a good idea! I’m always going out to the garden and then having to walk back around to the garage to get the tool I forgot. Love the Door County view – that’s a place I would like to visit someday. Those cherries look amazing! I’m curious about the fermenting part, too – what will you be using them for?

  • Needle and Foot

    OK – Wendy, we all need more info on the cherries? Pitted or not? Sweetened with syrup? Fermented? Why? We need the details!!
    Love the gardening apron. I am forever leaving tools all over the garden – just ask my husband. He found my garden gloves on the bumper of his truck the other day. Often I am found with my clippers in my back pocket and that isn’t great for my jeans. So, the apron would be really perfect. What a cute gift.

  • rl2b2017

    Hi Wendy! Those cherries look so pretty in the buckets and even more so all processed on the window sill. I think you look sweet picking them! It doesn’t look like difficult work – you have something hanging on your waist to put them in as you pick? I’ve never gone cherry picking even though it’s only three or four hours away from us. Is there a cherry pie in your near future? Oh, I almost forgot about the apron. That turned out just great! I’m certain your cousin will just adore it, especially since it is from you. ~smile~ Roseanne

    • piecefulwendy

      Yes, they give you a nylon cord with an attached caribiner that clips on the pail handle. Pretty slick!

  • Lisa J.

    That gardening apron is a great little project. I’m hoping to make something eventually for Paint brush fabrics the semi retirement can’t get here soon enough. I need more info on those cherries as well. I love cherries but all I’m doing is eating them.

  • laughinggasquilts

    The gardening apron is sweet! I can see why you were drawn to the fabric. If I were a tidy gardener, I’d have to make one, but I’m not… The cherries look amazing! It must have been a load of fun to pick them; it’ll be almost as wonderful eating them when the weather’s filthy. We’re waiting for the recipe for them, if Big J shares it.

  • Louise Hornor

    Your apron is just the cutest thing! Very clever design, too. I love your fabric selection! I’ve never been cherry picking, but all those buckets look wonderfully yummy 🙂

  • Kathleen McCormick

    I love the apron! It looks easy and like a really useful pattern. I should make a few for housewarming kinds of gifts! The cherries look phenomenal. How does your husband prep them???

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