by Gerri Peterson
Ask Mullen sisters Chris Sittler and Pam Coons if they ever thought they would be working together, and their answer is a unanimous, “NEVER!”
“Never in a million years,” Pam said.
“I would have never dreamt,” said Chris.
But in just under a year they have sewn and sold 400 aprons. They call their business CPAprons.
It all started when at 61 years old, Pam told Chris - her older sister by 5 years - that she wanted to learn how to sew.
The women say their mom, Rose Baker, was a beautiful seamstress. Rose had taught Chris how to sew as a kid but
Pam said her mom knew better than to even try to teach her. Pam never had any interest in learning how to sew until recently.
So Chris taught her how to sew - and also how to iron! - by making an apron.
Pam was proud of her final product and posted a picture of it on her personal Facebook page.
A friend then asked her if she could make her some aprons… and as they say, the rest is history!
Pam thought she and Chris could turn aprons into a business venture, but Chris wasn’t so sure.
“I figured we’d sell maybe 50,” Chris said.
They created a public Facebook group, @CPAprons, and invited friends to the page.
The 400 aprons they have made to date are in 15 different states and 3 countries that they know of. And they have more orders they are working on.
“It’s something fun to do together,” Chris said.
“Mama would be really proud,” Pam added. Rose passed away in November of 2020.
The sisters say they each have their own strengths and weaknesses when it comes to making aprons, so they compliment each other well.
For example, they both make different pocket styles.
Pam doesn’t use a pattern for pockets, she just starts cutting.
“Almost every pocket I do is different,” she said.
Chris makes blue jean pockets with a pattern for four different pocket sizes.
Chris describes Pam as, “A huge perfectionist.” But it sounds like Chris is one too, as she tends to tear out a lot of her stitching.
They do also both love the fabric glue Liquid Stitch.
“If I’m super stressed, I’ll sit down and make an apron and then feel so much better,” Pam said. Being new to sewing, she said the fact that sewing relaxes her is “so strange to me.”
The women enjoy custom making the aprons and will search for months for the perfect fabric to match customers’ interests and requests.
They purchase fabric from online stores, auctions and anywhere and everywhere they travel. If a store sells fabric, you’ll find them checking out the selection.
Name something you want on your apron, and they will do their best to find the fabric - from bees, to teapots, to sunflowers, to craft beer, to Huskers, to dogs, to fish, to Americana, and anything and everything in-between.
They haven’t only made aprons to sell like crazy in the last year, but they have also donated them to several local benefits and auctions and give aprons as thank you gifts.
The fact that they have sewn 400 aprons in a year is extra impressive because neither of these ladies are lacking of things to do, with several other jobs and commitments between them.
Chris attends craft fairs throughout the year and has added their aprons to her booth’s offerings.
They make aprons in all sizes - from an apron for a man to grill in, to a toddler size with a matching apron for mom. They sell them for: $25 - adult, $20 - youth, $15 - toddler.
Chris and Pam can be contacted @CPAprons on Facebook or by calling: Chris - 308-546-9365 or Pam - 308-546-7115.