Mindy Hardwick writes
sweet contemporary small-town vintage romance as well as children's books which
celebrate art and community in the Pacific Northwest. Learn more about Mindy
and her books at her website and blog.
Vintage Aprons
The heroine in my sweet contemporary romance, Sweetheart Cottage, is part of a sewing
circle of women who sew vintage aprons. As a child, Rylee spent summers in the
small town of Cranberry Bay where her grandmother taught her how to sew. But
when Rylee returns as an adult to sell her deceased grandmother’s house, she
has not touched a sewing machine for years.
Like my heroine, I also learned to sew in middle school with
alphabet letter pillows and crooked hemmed skirts. I hadn’t touched a sewing
machine in years. Then, technology ushered in new ways to sew and inspire such
as: Pinterest,
Cratsy Classes
and great fabric shops such as Creative
Fabrics in Wheeler, Oregon which inspired the
sewing shop in Sweetheart Cottage,
and suddenly I had a new love and appreciation for sewing.
When I wrote Sweetheart
Cottage, I knew my heroine needed to have some friends who could help her
get back together with her former high school boyfriend. I love writing about
vintage items and what better way than to have the women sew vintage aprons
while helping Rylee reconnect with her true love.
Every vintage apron tells a story, from the full-length work
aprons of the pioneers to the postwar 1950’s aprons sewn from Simplicity or
McCall’s patterns which were stylish and playful with bold fabrics. I had a lot
of fun setting up a Pinterest
page for Sweetheart Cottage,
which showcases some of these playful vintage aprons.
Vintage aprons were used for different purposes. Women might
have had an apron for housework, gardening, washday, and special aprons kept at
the back of the drawer for company. Brides were often given handmade aprons for
every occasion from the regular supper to serving cocktails. And don’t forget the holiday aprons!
Vintage aprons could be for Christmas, St Patrick’s Day and Halloween.
One of the fun pieces to an apron are the pockets. Pockets
can be made from contrasting fabric, lining fabric, quilt squares, potholders,
or vintage handkerchiefs. A pocket could be a flap pocket, a fold-over pocket,
or something such as a flower.
Vintage aprons are a way to connect with the past and the
stories of the women who came before us—but don’t be surprised if the vintage
aprons in your attic are a little threadbare and worn!
Sweetheart Cottage
Can a bet to save a dying town bring two high school sweethearts together for a second chance at love?
Self-reliant and determined never to fall in love again, Rylee Harper is traveling with her dog, Raisin, to Cranberry Bay, a small Oregon Coast town. Rylee intends to make friends with no one least they discover the family's long-held secret. But when former high school sweetheart, Bryan Shuster, offers her a job staging his vintage river cottages, Rylee finds her guard softening. However, when Bryan's plan threatens to unearth Rylee's shameful family secret, will Rylee run away or will she trust Bryan with her heart and stay?
Can a bet to save a dying town bring two high school sweethearts together for a second chance at love?
Self-reliant and determined never to fall in love again, Rylee Harper is traveling with her dog, Raisin, to Cranberry Bay, a small Oregon Coast town. Rylee intends to make friends with no one least they discover the family's long-held secret. But when former high school sweetheart, Bryan Shuster, offers her a job staging his vintage river cottages, Rylee finds her guard softening. However, when Bryan's plan threatens to unearth Rylee's shameful family secret, will Rylee run away or will she trust Bryan with her heart and stay?
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3 comments:
Lovely apron, and what an adorable book title!
Thanks Angela!
Thanks for hosting me on the Killer Crafts and Crafty Killers Blog!
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