The Story Behind the Aprons

I started sewing and embroidering around the age of 12. Over time, sewing became more than a hobby—it became a way to combine my love of beautiful fabrics, artistic design, and meaningful traditions. One day I was talking with my adult daughter and she asked to “inherit” my apron now. She loved it and loved the memories she had with me wearing it. When I thought about it, I realized I wanted it too - for the same reasons. So I decided to create one as close to the look of mine and gift her. After that - the fun just kept on happening as I created more and more.

One of my favorite parts of the creative process is discovering fabrics. I source fabrics from local shops in the Pacific Northwest, from specialty stores across the United States, and from my travels abroad. I never pass a fabric store while traveling without stopping to see what treasures might be waiting inside. Fabric has a story, and often a particular print, color, or texture becomes the inspiration for an entire design. Because I create in small batches, each collection remains unique and reflects the fabrics that inspired it.

My designs are influenced by the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest, the colors and movement of Impressionist art, the warmth of shared meals, and the simple pleasure of baking solo on an early morning. I especially love combining colors, patterns, and textures in unexpected ways to create wearable, functional art.

Most of all, I love hearing the stories my customers share. Many tell me about a grandmother's apron, a favorite holiday tradition, or memories made in a family kitchen. Those conversations remind me that the things we use every day often become part of our most cherished memories. My hope is that every SweetPea Punkin Rose creation inspires smiles, becomes part of meaningful moments, and helps create new traditions for generations to come.

Based in Issaquah, Washington, I was honored to be selected as one of eight businesses in the 2025 Home Grown Retail Program. Alongside selling online, I enjoy sharing my work through local markets and community events, where I can connect directly with customers and hear the stories that continue to inspire my designs.

My Creative Process

Every design begins with fabric. I often spread out seasonal fabrics, colors, and patterns across my work table and simply spend time with them. Some combinations immediately seem to belong together, while others take time to reveal themselves. The process feels a bit like a conversation, as I experiment with color, texture, scale, and movement until a design begins to emerge.

As I create, I find myself thinking about the people I have met at markets and the stories they have shared. I remember the teacher looking for something cheerful to wear in her classroom, the customer searching for the perfect gift for her host, the customer seeing their self in the apron and the smiles that appear when someone discovers a fabric that feels as though it was made just for them. Those conversations become part of the creative process and often influence the designs that take shape.

The fabrics inspire me, but so do the people who share their sweet memories triggered by seeing my aprons and those who share their joy and will ultimately wear and enjoy them. Together, they help guide each SweetPeaPunkinRose creation.

Listening, Learning, and Improving

One of the greatest gifts of selling at markets is the opportunity to talk directly with the people who wear my creations. Their experiences, ideas, and stories continually help me improve my designs. A few of the major changes I made based on talking with people at my booth are:

1) Shortening the aprons by 4”: One Early customer shared that while she loved my apron designs, a slightly shorter length would make them more comfortable for everyday wear. I asked others who came to my booths, friends, and neighbors what their thoughts were. After hearing similar feedback from others, I adjusted my patterns. Today, my aprons are four inches shorter, and customers consistently tell me the new length feels just right.

2) Adding pockets: One customer wanted an apron so badly she kept returning to my booth, but she couldn't quite convince herself to buy one without pockets. That conversation eventually changed every apron I make. When I asked more people if they wanted pockets - 100% of the time it was a resounding YES! When I asked what they might put in it - they said they did not know, but they knew they would use them. Literally no one could tell me what they would put in them. It took me a while to figure out how to add pockets without interrupting the designs and to make them sturdy to hold something the weight of a cell phone. I did figure it out and took all my already finished aprons and retro-added pockets that work beautifully in the design. Going forward - all my aprons have pockets - even the reversible wraps have pockets on both sides!

3) Introducing cat-themed fabrics: Sometimes inspiration comes from a single conversation. When one customer asked whether I had designs for cat lovers, it opened my eyes to a theme I hadn't explored before. Today, cat-themed fabrics have become part of my collection.

4) Learning from teachers and other customers: Another customer purposely scheduled herself to visit me at a market after discussing what she wanted via messaging. She wanted to wear the aprons in her job as a kindergarten teacher. It was a beautiful way to dress up her usual shirt and pants without requiring adding to her wardrobe. And she needed the pockets on them to put what she said were “thing-a-ma-jigs” necessary to have as a teacher. This made me add some fabrics that might be enjoyed by the young students more. Some initial fabrics I added were a Dr. Seuss theme and both barnyard and wild animal prints.
Another customer was so thrilled with my Halloween design that she bought one to wear as she hosted trick or treaters on the night. She said it would be easy to throw on over her comfy clothes and it would delight her friends as well as the trick-or-treaters.

I look forward to all the future conversations with customers and non-customers alike who stop by to share their stories and teach me more.

Important Quality Details

The quality of my aprons is as important as my designs. Here are some of the uncompromising work I do on each apron:

• Double-stitch all of the structural seams, including the bib, waist, belts, neck ties and pockets

• Wash all fabrics before sewing to insure they do not shrink, run, or wrinkle to the point of requiring an iron

• Make neck ties and belts long enough to be comfortable for a variety of bodies

• All wrap styles are made to be reversible and have pockets on both sides

• Pockets are functional and tested to hold a small cell phone

Sustainability

Guided by the five key strategies established by the Craft Industry Alliance, I have adopted practices to minimize our environmental impact. I am continually working for ways to increase my sustainable activities and I welcome your suggestions to help me in this ongoing endeavor. Below are some of my current practices:

• The colorful linings on all my pinafore aprons are up-cycled sheets.

• Fabric remnants are used to create smaller projects including jar openers, Christmas ornaments, and tea tin wraps. I use the smallest pieces of my fabric remnants to create Christmas ornaments.

• Fabric pieces that are the size of my palm or larger, are taken to the local recycling service

• Fabric that does not pass my tests during washes (bleeding, excessive wrinkling) are donated to thrift shops.

• My labels are biodegradable and conform to BSI, PAS 9017:2020 biodegradability of polyolefins. (www.polymaterial.com) per the information on their website.

Why I Create

I believe the things we use every day should bring joy. I literally have learned to stand back a bit more in my market booths and watch the smiles on people as they spot my aprons. There is nothing better (except maybe playing with my granddaughter)! I even had a market friend stand back away and watch the smile magic happen. And the stories people share - I am so enriched by the memories people tell me about. About aunts, sisters, one dad, moms, and quite a few mother-in-laws. I love making my art - and am extremely fortunate to find my life so enriched from it!
Through artful design and a love of storytelling, I create pieces that bring beauty, joy, and artistry to everyday moments, inspiring smiles, celebrating memories, and helping create new traditions for generations to come.