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Fabric Guns Upgrade Apron to Gunslinger Status
I’ve been busy working on lots of projects this week including this Gunslinger Apron. I made this fully loaded number last night. And after tying this one on, I have to say it is by far the most intimidating apron in my collection.
The apron is an original design with a layer of lace-trimmed netting underneath the pink striped cotton, but I can’t take credit for the massive guns. I bought the screen-printed gun patches from Steven Rainey, an up-and-coming Grand Rapids, Michigan artist, and made them into pockets. (Check back here this weekend for a link to my column about Steven that will run in Sunday’s Grand Rapids Press.) I was inspired to make this apron when I saw Steven sporting gun patches on the sides of his jeans. He kindly encouraged me when I told him I wanted to make an apron featuring the patches.
The crazy part of this story is that I decided stay home and sew instead of going to the YMCA with my daughters. While I was sewing this apron, two people were shot after an altercation at the Y spilled out into the parking lot. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured. I’m very upset this happened at my Y and childishly wishing all guns were made of fabric. Unrealistic, I know.
I’m allergic to real guns, so this new apron is as close to packing heat as I plan to get. My intention was to create an apron that contradicts itself and makes viewers question their response to it. Do you think it’s funny? Disturbing? Pretty? Ridiculous? Why? Would you wear this apron? I had my reasons for creating it, and now it seems I have even more. I’m curious about what it communicates to you. Please join the conversation below.
Posted: March 4th, 2009 under Aprons, Sewing.
Comments: 15
Comments
Comment from Bridget B.
Time: March 5, 2009, 1:58 am
I loved the apron – and I love the way it took on a darker edge after I read the story. There are so many inherent contradictions in the apron – the pink and the guns; the feminine and the masculine; the domestic and the defender – and there are many connections. An apron protects us, and in the best sense, so do guns. And yet both are indicative of gender roles societal roles that can trap us and it’s so cool that an apron makes me think this much . . .
I’d love to see you push this apron idea even further . . .
Comment from Sherri D
Time: March 5, 2009, 3:53 am
I can see the cute aspect of it as well. Beings it is probably considered to be not politically correct in this day and time, it makes a statement!
btw, I am barely awake this morning and had to look several times to see if those were real guns laying on top of the apron! lol
Comment from Weedwacker
Time: March 5, 2009, 5:59 am
That’s an interesting story, and corresponding apron! I happen to be a glue-gun toting mama. There should be an apron for that! ;-)
Comment from Katiebelle
Time: March 5, 2009, 6:01 am
I think this is amazing! Its the apron Annie Oakley would have worn. Where do you buy lace trimmed netting? Again, job well done!
Comment from Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood
Time: March 5, 2009, 6:15 am
Thanks, Katiebelle. I don’t know if you can buy lace trimmed netting or not. I simply sewed lace to a piece of netting to achieve the look I was going for.
Comment from Cynthia
Time: March 5, 2009, 6:41 am
Love it! But I’m a sucker for unexpected twists on traditional objects … my very first knitting project was a bikini :)
Comment from claudia
Time: March 5, 2009, 8:13 am
I think it’s original and interesting and opens up to a lot of philosophical discussion. It might represents the brave mom that would do anything to protect and care for her family. Or maybe can be used to show the balance between an independent and forceful woman with her delicate and home-care-giving side.
For all it’s worth, I liked it very much!
Comment from Francie
Time: March 5, 2009, 9:39 am
Ok, I’m TOTALLY ANTI-GUN but I must say I had a fleeting vision of actually getting my family to the dinner table the first time I call them.
Comment from Heather – DollarStoreCrafts.com
Time: March 5, 2009, 10:24 am
I like it! I love that it’s pink and has lace on it… just such a great juxtaposition.
Comment from Jennifer
Time: March 5, 2009, 10:24 am
I love this but I would like two dustbusters in my holsters!!
Comment from Turtle
Time: March 5, 2009, 11:53 am
I LOVE this one! Not that i’m a gun nut or anything but to me it says…..my turf, watch out! Your in my territory now….in a cute fun way! I want one!!
Comment from joyce
Time: March 5, 2009, 3:28 pm
Very scary about what happened at your Y.
Before reading your story, your apron struck me as spunky…you know maybe what Annie Oakely might have worn if she ever decided to whip up a cake! After the story, I saw it in a more serious light and it seemed more of a political statement. Whichever way….I still like it!
I’m not really anti gun…too many peace loving hunters in our family, but I am, of course, anti-violence.
Comment from Elizabeth
Time: March 6, 2009, 2:37 am
Those shootings at the Y made me so mad!
As for your apron, it makes me think, “You just don’t mess with Mama.”
Comment from Julie
Time: March 6, 2009, 7:41 am
I appreciate your creation, Jennifer. It shouts many things to me! My first impression of it is “disturbing,” and that word sticks. I think it speaks of sanctioning guns in the house, which goes against my principles. So many more ideas come to mind, but I need to finish my coffee before articulating them. Thanks for the discussion!
Comment from Emily
Time: March 7, 2009, 12:15 pm
What a great creation! And I’m glad you and your girls weren’t at the Y to possibly be in danger or even experience the scariness of shootings. Yikes. The apron’s yin-yang is terrific, and especially when seen, below your post with the photo of Make Aprons Not War. You go girl – keep us all thinking and wondering and creating, peacefully and provocatively!
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