Serendipity: Old cloth shared at the library will yield new aprons, sold to hang library art

Chef-style aprons are being sold to benefit Berne Library. Jane McLean is using donated authentic feed-sack fabric to create the aprons. Phoebe Beebe uses vintage-style trims, like gathered yoyos and rickrack, to adorn the aprons. The women’s business, PinchPenny Threads, will donate all proceeds from the apron sales to the library, possibly for a hanging wall display system.

To the Editor:

A fortuitous happenstance may become a benefit to artists and photographers in the Berne area through a new hanging display system at the Berne Public Library.

At the library's Knitwits knitting group Sunday night, one member said to me, "Jane, I'm told you like old fabric."

She gave me a bag of neatly folded fabric, old feed sacks with bright floral prints, a dozen of them.

After my initial excitement in unfolding this treasure, I tried to give them back, saying, "I can't take these. They're worth a lot of money to fabric collectors."

She countered, "Any money you make with them, give it to the library." 

We struck a deal.

I'd use the vintage fabrics to make aprons and sell them through my home sewing business, PinchPenny Threads, donating all proceeds to the Berne Public Library. My hope is that we'll earn enough to be able to donate a hanging wall display system for the community room.

A user-friendly system will encourage local artists, photographers, historians, and school groups to use the space for exhibits.

My business partner, Phoebe Beebe, and I have started turning the feed sacks into aprons, adding vintage touches such as reproduction 1930s fabric for the pockets, with trims like gathered yoyos and rickrack.

The aprons are chef-style and sell for $35, including tax. The fabric choices, in very limited supply, are available on our website at pinchpennythreads.com/we-support

When they're gone, they're gone. Please contact me at 872-2082 or [email protected] if you'd like to support this project for Berne Public Library. Thank you.

Jane B. McLean
Berne

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