apron blouse: how to

 What do you get when you put together two vintage half aprons? A perfect little smock for stacking wood...or at the very least, a new blouse for layering in September's fickle weather.

 My mother came up with this idea a couple of weeks ago, when she was sorting through her stash of aprons. We bought an entire LOT of old 30's and 40's aprons at an auction years ago and have been coming up with ways to use them ever since. I love this new inspiration for two humble pieces that were completely ignored until they were merged as one. I'm much more likely to wear a tunic/smock/blouse then a half apron. I found that it added a little romance to the otherwise mundane task of stacking our winter firewood... a job that has been known to drag on for weeks.

Not everyone has a collection vintage aprons, but they're quite easy to come by at any flea market or antique sale. And of course, you don't even have to leave your house:  Etsy has pages upon pages of them right here.

Apron Blouse: How To

• Find two half aprons that coordinate in size and color scheme.
• Lay right side to right side and sew up the sides, leaving several inches open for under the arm.
• Turn and fold up each of the waist ties to become a shoulder strap. Sew in place.  
• Tie new straps together.
• Take in the waist band... (now turned neckline) with a tuck, gather or pleat if it's too wide.

It takes 5 minutes to make and is reversible! Layer it or wear alone on  a hot day... here's to hoping we have one last heat wave in the northeast!