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Los Olivos, California, United States
You can reach me at fool4fabric (at) gmail (dot) com

Saturday, January 5, 2013

KAPPOGI!

And what is a Kappogi, you ask?

I grew up in Hawaii and loved the "mama-san" aprons worn by Japanese women; they seemed so attractive, while being practical at the same time. I've never understood those skimpy little aprons worn by a lot of women...they must not be as messy as I am when cooking!

I know, I know, in my last post I was all set to do a major cleaning of my studio, and I DID, for a day or so...but I had ordered, then lost, this pattern a year ago and when I finally unearthed it, I NEEDED to make one for myself...

I used quilting cottons that I had originally bought in my purse-making days and used the pattern as is


except for lengthening the sleeves. There is elastic in the wrists, so they can be pushed up out of the way when doing dishes.

It's a little late, considering my holiday cooking and cleaning is over, but it never hurts to have a cute
"costume" for every day!


close-up

Now, back to cleaning!
Posted by at 10:50 AM
Labels: , ,

62 comments:

  1. Pam from South AustraliaJanuary 5, 2013 at 11:00 AM

    Way too gorgeous to wear in the kitchen, but practical too. Margy you're a stunner no matter what you have on your agenda.

    ReplyDelete
  2. MelanieJanuary 5, 2013 at 11:14 AM

    Fantastic. I love your choice of fabric. Ironically, this has turned out so well I don't know how could bear spilling anything on it! I'd wear this for everyday wear as a style item. I also just wore an apron-style piece tied at the front as everyday wear - I think aprons are the best!! Thanks for sharing this.

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    Replies
    1. MargyJanuary 5, 2013 at 12:11 PM

      Thanks, Melanie...I almost "forgot" to take it off when I went to the post office...I noticed and LOVED your emerald green apron...you're so au courant!

      Delete
  3. NancyDaQJanuary 5, 2013 at 11:22 AM

    Very cute! I also like that it's so practical.

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  4. meJanuary 5, 2013 at 12:04 PM

    Very practical and cute. Your choice of fabric is wonderful. I might "need" that pattern also!!
    Marcia from SZ

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  5. BunnyJanuary 5, 2013 at 12:05 PM

    Wonderful and so practical. Don't we all need one of these?

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  6. VickiJanuary 5, 2013 at 12:26 PM

    Cleaning takes forever! I have been on the same mission for the whole house. I have managed to find a space for me to sew now. Yippee. Cute apron and good use of all those quilting cottons.

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  7. chesneykatJanuary 5, 2013 at 12:47 PM

    Very Cute. I don't always waer an apron in the kitchen, but when I do I mean business!!
    The fabric looks like you blog background, no?

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    Replies
    1. MargyJanuary 5, 2013 at 12:51 PM

      Thank you, Chesneykat...you have sharp eyes! I have been called the "Queen of Ikat" occasionally...

      Delete
  8. shamsJanuary 5, 2013 at 2:02 PM

    Oh, that is completely adorable!! I might have to track down that pattern.

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    Replies
    1. MargyJanuary 5, 2013 at 2:10 PM

      Thanks, Shams...there's a link in the post...except for Etsy, I think that's the only place to get it...

      Delete
  9. pdiddlyJanuary 5, 2013 at 2:10 PM

    I should have made something like this for my DGD as it would provide more coverage. Very sophisticated apron.

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    Replies
    1. MargyJanuary 5, 2013 at 2:11 PM

      Thanks, Pauline...yes, it would be good for little kids, too!

      Delete
  10. AnonymousJanuary 5, 2013 at 2:15 PM

    What a wonderful way to look smart while cooking etc. I always wear an apron to cook ; obviously, I am just too messy. It's amazing how wonderful you look in an apron.

    Karendee

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    Replies
    1. MargyJanuary 5, 2013 at 2:50 PM

      Thanks, Karendee...I am beginning to really notice aprons now!

      Delete
  11. JillybejoyfulJanuary 5, 2013 at 2:36 PM

    Leave it to you to make the most elegant apron ever! I may need the pattern too - I can be such a slob in the kitchen, and an apron that beautiful is something I might actually wear!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MargyJanuary 5, 2013 at 2:51 PM

      We can start a Kalifornia Kappogi Klub.....

      Delete
  12. gwensewsJanuary 5, 2013 at 4:09 PM

    Of course, you made yours in your colors, making it look like anything but an apron. Totally cute.

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  13. AnonymousJanuary 5, 2013 at 4:32 PM

    Very nice. I love the black & white. And sleeves! Great idea, I don't know about you, but I always spill on my sleeve. I need one of these aprons. Very chic.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MargyJanuary 5, 2013 at 4:39 PM

      Sleeve spills...yes! That's why I lengthened the sleeves. I don't spill on my bicep too much...:D

      Delete
  14. poppykettleJanuary 5, 2013 at 4:38 PM

    I love it :) Practical AND good looking!

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  15. AlisonJanuary 5, 2013 at 6:08 PM

    what an excellent and artistic apron... I remember someone, probably my Mom, making something vaguely like this from an article in Sunset Magazine back in the 60's... now you have me thinking that maybe I need to make an apron, or a smock like Shams did before her workshop, so I have something to wear to protect my everyday clothing... You are one of my online heros of sewing inspiration!

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    Replies
    1. MargyJanuary 5, 2013 at 8:29 PM

      Thanks, Alison...and you are MY hero for the beautiful work you do!

      Delete
  16. MushyWearJanuary 6, 2013 at 12:02 AM

    The fabric combination is perfect for this apron, and what a fun apron to wear while cooking or cleaning.

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  17. UnknownJanuary 6, 2013 at 2:49 AM

    Beauty and function! You gotta love it. Excellent fabric choice!

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  18. JanetJanuary 6, 2013 at 5:09 AM

    so smart and practical!

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  19. UnknownJanuary 6, 2013 at 5:14 AM

    Wow, you are so talented. I love that!

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  20. christineJanuary 6, 2013 at 5:32 AM

    I like your apron! Tres chic.
    Christine

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  21. Kathryn, aka fzxdocJanuary 6, 2013 at 6:28 AM

    What a fun apron, Margy! Time to host another dinner party. :) You did a fine job on it--love the fabrics you chose.

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  22. byginnyJanuary 6, 2013 at 8:42 AM

    I love it. I bought a kappogi in Japan 25 years ago but the largest size I could find fit my tiny mother. She enjoyed it for many, many years! I've always wanted a pattern and now mine is on the way. Yours looks terrific!

    BTW, those red flats with the diagonal strap that went into your Sicily suitcase --- what brand??? Love them too.

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    Replies
    1. MargyJanuary 6, 2013 at 10:43 AM

      Great, by ginny! I hope you enjoy YOUR kappogi! I'm not sure which red shoes you're referring to...the ones on the left in the picture are ECCO sandals, and the ones on the right are ARCHE...

      Delete
  23. a little sewingJanuary 6, 2013 at 5:50 PM

    Oh, how inspiring! It is really such a unique and attractive combination of fabrics - and you know I am a Lover of Black & White, so bonus for that. But the incredible usefulness of this garment is making my head explode. Ha ha, and no I am not on my 3rd glass of wine, I am just enthusiastic about this apron. This one will get the job done!

    ReplyDelete
  24. MargyJanuary 6, 2013 at 8:03 PM

    Thanks, Robin...are you ordering the pattern before your head explodes?...:)

    ReplyDelete
  25. anne kJanuary 7, 2013 at 11:30 AM

    My husband does all the cooking (in which he's talented and I'm very not), so I willingly do all the clean-up. I would look and function better in this kappogi. Yours is so chic - you always inspire me.

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    Replies
    1. MargyJanuary 7, 2013 at 6:19 PM

      Yes, it will definitely improve your dish washing skills! My husband and I split the cooking 50/50...

      Delete
  26. Calico_Quilter0321January 7, 2013 at 5:19 PM

    Hey Margie! I have Hawaiian roots as well! Your mama-san apron caught my eye because it's the very same pattern that I just pulled out of my own dusty stash. I need work frocks, you see, for puttering and such, and thought I'd give this pattern a try. It's a delight to see yours all sewn up. I've been going at such a snail's pace since the holidays and needed inspiration. Mahalo and aloha!

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    Replies
    1. MargyJanuary 7, 2013 at 6:21 PM

      Thank you, Calico_Quilter0321...aloha to you, too!

      Delete
  27. velosewsJanuary 9, 2013 at 8:53 PM

    Oh wow. You look amazing - in anything!!!

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  28. AnonymousJanuary 10, 2013 at 8:29 PM

    You have an incredible sense of style! Looking through all of your posts sure has put a smile on my face. Very creative!

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  29. HellenneJanuary 11, 2013 at 2:36 PM

    Finally....someone else who uses a kappougi! I grew up in Japan, so this is nostalgia for me. This has got to be the most fashionable kappougi!

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    Replies
    1. MargyJanuary 11, 2013 at 7:04 PM

      Ah, Hellenne...I KNEW you'd recognize this! It's nostalgic for me, too!

      Delete
  30. Leslie January 17, 2013 at 12:53 PM

    This is such a fun and stylish apron!

    ReplyDelete
  31. pretty things and potty mouthsJanuary 17, 2013 at 1:28 PM

    Well aren't you just FABULOUS!

    ReplyDelete
  32. AnonymousJanuary 31, 2013 at 3:36 PM

    looks great. Too fashionable for domestic chores8

    ReplyDelete
  33. TallulahApril 6, 2013 at 6:58 PM

    Your kappogi was so stylish, I had to buy this pattern to showcase some special cotton I had collected. Your pattern review moved me from "on the fence" to ordering. You look sooo good, lady.

    ReplyDelete
  34. UnknownOctober 22, 2013 at 3:22 AM

    OMG! I grew up in Japan my mom had two Mama-san aprons that I inherited. I'm too western sized to wear them but I have wanted to make some forever. You give me hope! I'm just useless w/o a pattern.

    ReplyDelete
  35. UnknownOctober 22, 2013 at 3:23 AM

    OMG! I grew up in Japan my mom had two Mama-san aprons that I inherited. I'm too western sized to wear them but I have wanted to make some forever. You give me hope! I'm just useless w/o a pattern.

    ReplyDelete

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