Grey and black open front apron dress- HSM Feb 2018

My black and grey apron dress worn with a new apron panel and my green under dress. Photo ©Mysticus Photography

I made an open front apron dress a while ago (in 2015), and discussed some of my skepticism with the whole open-front apron dress + apron panel combination that I see a LOT of with SCA Viking-Age reenactors online and elsewhere.

Current Viking Age Palette

Still, despite my skepticism on the ‘evidence’ for this style so far, I can’t deny the pretty… I got some grey and black wool-blend fabric from my former teacher, and wanted to make something Viking-inspired from it. It also just happens to work perfectly into my Viking Capsule Collection plans.

It would have made a wonderful coat, but I just finished making a new wool-blend coat and didn’t really need another (my black and red one is now one of three wool Viking coats in my Norse Reenactment wardrobe…) With a coat off the table, I thought an apron dress would work, and specifically an open-front apron dress ( hangerock).  I feel a lot more comfortable using wool blends for these speculative garments; saving my 100% wool fabrics for more documentable designs.

Plaid apron dress – HSM October

New plaid apron dress

In summer 2016 I hosted a supply swap – with the plan for it to be part of a two-event challenge in the SCA, however there wasn’t enough participation so I had to cancel the second part. However, I did come away with some lovely wool plaid fabric from Asny Hafdansdoitter, a SCA player from another kingdom.

The yardage is a medium charcoal grey, with light grey, navy blue, and burgundy plaid. The only challenge for me – it was only 170cm long by 140cm wide – much too small for most of the garments I’d want to make for myself.

Drab grey-green wool apron dress

Drab green apron dress worn with my previously made dark green wool underdress

While making the drab green-grey wool underdress, I noticed how well the drab worked with the dark green underdress I made a while back. I decided to use the remaining fabric leftover from the underdess to make an apron dress too. (I don’t plan on wearing them together, instead I’ll wear the drab grey-green with the dark green.)

Dark green wool apron dress

Dark green apron dress worn over the drab grey-green underdress

While making the drab green-grey wool underdress, I noticed how well the drab worked with the dark green underdress I made a while back. I crossed my fingers, and looked at the remnants leftover from the dark green underdress to make an apron dress with it too!

Blue wool apron dress

Blue wool apron dress over a green wool underdress

In early September I was laid off from work (after over 6 years working there) which meant that I had a wee bit of spare time on my hands between applying for a new job and trying to get other things in order.

Of course, this meant spare time meant sewing time!

The first item I made was a wool apron dress.