Thrift store find and an Apron

It feels like we haven't posted in awhile, even though it has only been one week.

Last week my kids were on Spring Break.  Emily has been having computer issues and it is still at the computer hospital getting fixed, and Leslie is in the throes of pregnancy yuck!  So I guess that means you are all stuck with me. 

Right now I am in the midst of swimsuits and Easter dresses.  Hopefully I can get some cooperation with the weather and takes some pics and post later about those projects.  But for now I'll do some back-posting.

Awhile back (probably before Christmas) I lucked out at one of my local thrift stores and found this Amy Butler fabric--2 yds. for $1.47.

 Yeehaw!

Then I decided to turn it into an apron because one of the ones I love and wear often has seen its last days. I used McCall M6255 view C.



Notes & changes:

• Originally I thought I only wanted the waistband and tie to be contrasting.  Found matching fabric, cut it out, pinnned the waistband on and then changed my mind.  Didn't like it and so stuck with all the same fabric.
• Instead of rickrack I used 1/4" double fold bias tape to edge the entire apron skirt and the the ruffles on the bib. (2 - 4 yd. packages needed)
• Because of that I had to ease the apron skirt a bit into the waistband. (I hadn't adjusted for the side hem I didn't do and cut the pattern down 1 1/4")
• Also, I preferred the bib ruffles to have curved edges, not square--i.e. bias tape the entire edge of the ruffle.

• I feel like the bib portion should extend up over the shoulder seam up a bit more (probably 2") so that it is actually on your shoulder and not down on your clavicle when the ties start.  I didn't do it on this apron, but I most likely will if I make this again.

My hubby and kids all commented on how pretty the apron is.  I agree.  So feminine that I almost don't want to wear it and get it dirty.  Almost...

Skirted Canning Apron

Last night I gave a beginning canning class/demo for about 18 ladies. Besides talking about canning, part of what we did was have a few giveaways. I like to give an apron away when I do these little "classes". So over the weekend I did a little modification of the basic chef apron that I usually make as "workhorse" aprons. I wanted something a bit more feminine and cute, quick and easy to put together, but still had major coverage.


Basic Directions:

• Attach the skirted flounce portion to the main body of the apron, wrong sides together.


• Sandwich the pieces into the double fold tape and stitch thru all layers.


• Press bias tape "flap" toward hem of the apron. You could topstitch that flap down onto the flounce if you wanted.


• Bind with bias tape the main body of the apron. Start on one side continuing down and around the flounce hem and then back up the other side. ***I rounded the flounce hem corners slightly so that I wouldn't have to miter the bias tape.
• Bind the top neck edge of the apron with bias tape.


• Position bias tape along curved armpit edges leaving enough for ties and then making a loop for the neck opening.


• Wear and look great! Have fun canning! Congrats Ann Y. on winning!

Materials:

• 1 yd. fabric (this piece was an Alexander Henry from Jo-Ann's: Apples + Pears) ***If I were making this for myself--an over 6-footer--I would buy 1 1/4 yd. to enable it to be cut longer.
• 2 pkgs. Extra wide double fold bias tape - 1/2" in Seal Brown.
  

Pattern:

Simplicity 3752, view C, using the flounce pattern piece

Combined with Mom's New Apron

I really like how this little experiment turned out and think this might be my new "go-to" style apron from now on.

Ruffle Apron {Bridal Gift}

This is the first time I've made this pattern (Leslie's fav) for anyone. I was in need of quick gift for a bridal shower tonight (I made the apron earlier this week) and had some leftover fabric from this quilt that I thought would work great.

I like how it turned out--rather fun and sassy. The bride-to-be is pretty fun and sassy herself, and really girly...so I'm pretty sure she'll like it. Congratulations, Cheyenne! We wish you all the best!

Aprons

A is For Apron, by Nathalie Mornu.

I originally saw the book while I was browsing one day at Jo-Ann's earlier this year, and then went home and reserved it at my local library. I waited for a couple months to get the book, because apparently it has been a popular book, and only one or two copies were available in my library area.

I decided to go ahead and buy the book because it did have some fun styles. I've made a few of them in the past weeks or so. This is my review somewhat of the book and a few hints for the patterns.

First of all, none of the patterns say to interface the waistbands. I did on all of mine because I think that they lay nicer and stand up better. That would be a personal preference.

Waldorf, pg. 58-59

I just love the pretty scalloped hem. As an FYI, you use just over 2 yds. of the bias tape (I had 1 & 7/8 yd. leftover from my 4 yd. package). Therefore, if you preferred to use the 1/2" double fold bias tape, which only comes in 3 yd. packages, you could go ahead and buy just one package.

I added 2" to the length of the apron. For the most part I don't think you would need to lengthen it unless you are making if for someone quite tall. (I am 6'2".)

I also added a pocket with a little folded over scalloped edge. The pattern did not call for a pocket, but you can easily add one if you prefer it--which I always want a pocket on my own personal aprons. I cut 2 and edged them together in the bias tape along the scallop and then attached it to the apron itself.

Version #2--for Fall

Only difference was I messed around with the pocket a bit and gathered it before attaching it. I think that what I would do next is sandwich a little piece of elastic in between the 2 pockets so that the pocket "gives" a bit as you stick your hand in it.

Amoeba, pg. 34-36
First of all, my kids loved the fact that this pattern appears to be a large set of lips as it is laid out flat. So they call is the "kiss apron".

The biggest problem with this pattern in my opinion is the ties are TOO short. The pattern called for 16" long ties. This was BARELY long enough to tie a bow around the waist of my 9 yr. old. For me I was only able to tie it in a knot. Dumb look, if you ask me.

16" long ties view on both my daugher and me---Too Short!!

I ended up taking the ties off, recutting them to 31" long and then attaching them. I can now tie my apron with a bow, and not just an overhand knot. This is much better to look at (the ties, that is...not necessarily my backside).I also decided to cut 4 of the ties so that there wasn't a wrong or right side to them. You probably don't need to do this if your fabric is printed decent enough. I just laid out 2 per tie, wrong sides together, and then bound them together with the bias tape.

I also found that attaching the bias tape to the vee'd top and bottom was a little tricky. Mine probably isn't as sharp as it could be. Oh well...this was practice.I did a topstitch on the pocket on both the inner and outer edges of the bias tape. The book suggested just topstitching on the inner edge, which is where it encases the pocket. You can decide which look you like best.

Twirl, Girl, pg. 101-103

This a very easy pattern to make, but oh so cute. I did not lengthen anything on this pattern, but you could easily enough if you prefer it longer. I love the contrasting piece. I used up the last of the fabric that I had used for this top for L. Now she has a matching apron to use if she wants.

The finished ties were about 28" long. Finished length of apron is about 18" from top of waistband to hem.

I also had to improvise slightly as I snipped a hole in the fabric as I was clipping threads. ARGH!!! I couldn't figure out any other way to fix it and make it look decent except for adding some pretty ribbon to the hem edge to cover up the hole. Luckily it worked and I had some that matched so that I didn't have to go buy anything. Plus, L. does like it and so life is good.

Once again for the little girl version I only enlarged the pattern 300% not 400%. The ties for the little girl ended up being about 1 3/4" wide (finished) and about 20" long (finished). The apron itself measured 13" finished length from top of waistband to hem.

Gardening Party Apron

I made the aprons for my daughter's Gardening Party Birthday using the Deep Pockets apron pattern from the book A is for Apron. (see pg. 55-57)

**I orignally saw this book at Jo-Ann's, browsed thru it there, and then reserved it and checked it out from my local library before going back and buying it with a 40% off coupon. That was actually cheaper than buying it on Amazon.

I tweaked the pattern some and made some adjustments as I was going along. Hopefully, if you decide to make this pattern, this will help you avoid some of those things.

Instead of enlarging the pattern 400% for an adult size, per the directions in the book, I only enlarged it 350% and it worked out great for a child's size apron.

One - 4 yd. package of 1/4" double fold bias tape was enough to bind the inner curved edges on the pockets for all 8 aprons, with about 16" left over. If you were really good and careful I am sure you could get one more for a total of 9 aprons. (At 350% plan on 17" of bias tape per apron for the 2 pocket edges.)

The pattern originally called for a small piece of bias tape on the side edge, then with right sides together sew the body of the apron, trim, clip curves, and turn and press. I decided I didn't want that. So instead, after having cut the pieces out, I cut the little piece that jutted out and blended it into the curve of the apron. I hope this makes sense. See pics below.

This shows the back and pocket pieces pinned together.I then used the 1/4" double fold bias tape and enclosed both pieces--apron and pocket--along the entire outer curve of the apron. With such skinny bias tape make sure your two pieces are perfectly matched. I had to trim down one or the other in a couple spots so that I could get both pieces sandwiched in the bias tape. Pin the pieces to hold them together if need be. And/or pin the bias tape in place too.

One - 4 yd. package of 1/4" double fold bias tape was enough to bind the entire outer curved edge of 4 aprons--with 17" left over.

I decided that 1/2" double fold bias tape would be better for the ties than 1/4" bias tape. One - 3 yd. package of the extra wide double fold bias tape (1/2") was enough for ties on two aprons. (Cut 1 1/2 yd. lengths for the waistband and ties) Just remember to backstitch a bit at both edges of the apron and again where the pocket piece connects into the waistband as these would be the spots where it would most likely pull out from wear and tear.

The pattern calls for you to sew through all layers right down the middle of the apron/pocket in order to form two pocket sections. We chose not to do this with this size apron, but I would most likely do it on a larger apron.

If you're worried about applying bias tape, or have never done it before, click HERE for an easy tutorial from Wrights --they are the bias tape company.

This project cost me $7 in bias tape (7 pkgs. all on clearance for $.97/pkg.) Had there been more floral fabric I might have considered making my own bias tape, at least for the top waistband and ties.

I used about 1 yd. each of both the chambray and the floral.

$1.50-$2.00/yd. on the floral (I can't remember for sure.)
Chambray denim--free
Total cost for 8 aprons: $10.00

Here's all the little girlies with their finished plant pots and aprons.

Mom's New Apron

What do you get your mother for her birthday, when she repeatedly makes a point of saying she has all she needs? Well, in my case you wait for her to call and ask, "Could you make me a new canning apron?" Love to! So Happy Birthday Mom!! I'll get your apron in the mail here soon.

Lined or Reversible Chef Style Apron Tutorial

**This pattern came from the Family Circle magazine, Sept. '73. Thanks to Grandma F. who sent it to me a couple years ago.

Copy pattern onto paper or plastic using dimensions provided below.


Tips:

Keep in mind that you can adjust how deep the armpits are and how wide across the top edge is depending on who you are making this for. My aprons tend to be closer to 10" across the top edge and not 12" like this pattern shows.

Also, I lengthen my own aprons to 36", not 31" as shown, but I am 6'2" tall and I like them long.

If you are making a reversible apron then I would not add the pocket at the end, but do it first thing so that the stitching does not show through on the back side.

Materials:

• 1 yd. Fabric
• 1 yd. Lining fabric
• 1 pkg. 1/2" extra wide double fold bias tape
• Thread

Directions:

1. Cut 2 pieces, one from fabric and one from lining fabric
   
2. Add any embellishments at this point to your apron. This time I did some embroidery. See here and here for pattern details.


3. With right sides together sew sides and bottom, leaving armpit and top open.


4. Clip corners, turn right sides out.


5. Press and top stitch along sides and bottom.
Top side viewBack side viewI usually topstitch at 3/8" and then again right at the edge.


6. Using bias tape, sandwich the top edge of your apron in between your bias tape. Topstitch close to edge of bias tape.


7. Use remaining bias tape to form ties and neck band. Take the remaining tape, fold it in half and mark the halfway point with a pin. Measure down about 8 1/2" on either side of the halfway point and mark again with a pin. This is where you will place the top edge of the apron. (This length can also be adjusted according to the wearer and their comfort factor.) Sandwich and topstitch the same way as you did with the top edge of the apron.Pin bias tape along armpit curve. Start sewing bias tape at one end of a tie and sew continuously from there up and around the neck down the other side to the end of the opposite tie.


I reinforce the corners where the ties connect with the body of the apron on each side and at the two corners of the top edge of the apron.


8. Add front pocket (optional). Cut any size and shape you desire from the remaining fabrics. Sometimes I line the pocket and sometimes I don't--depends on my mood and if I embellish the pocket. See here for pocket embroidery details.


9. I usually just tie the ends of the bias tape in a knot and maybe add a dab of Fray Check to it.

See this post for another apron using this same pattern.

Got Milk?? or Cookies??

Once people find out that you sew it can become a blessing or a curse in the fact that they start to think of you first when and if someone is getting rid of fabric from their deceased relative's stash. Sometimes you can get some really great fabric--and sometimes not. In the past I've been given some great vintage looking prints that I've used as aprons. However, I've also pitched a lot of fabric too (or just donated it to some charity).

Anyway, with that being said, what do you do with some pretty nice pieces of cow print fabric?! I've held onto this for a bit trying to come up with something fun with this fabric. I think my neighbor gave it to me from her grandma's stash, but I can't remember. Someone obviously had something in mind, because the fabric all coordinated. I thought about lining some bags with it--but it takes a certain kind of person to carry a "moo, moo" bag, I think.

Well, my little girls thought it would be fun to have pants out of the fabric. I specifically told them it had to be for pajamas. But they did turn out so cute and they are very happy. I just added a band of the contrasting hereford print and then once that was attached I topstitched a black satin ribbon over the seam all the way around the pant leg.

The next project: I also decided to make an apron with the hereford print. I lined it with the final "moo" print. I usually use 1/2" double fold bias tape at the top of the apron and for the straps. It is so easy to use. I have had this bandanna print bias tape for what seems like forever--just waiting for the right project. This seemed like an appropriate use for it--a little milkmaid apron.

And just to make it more "obnoxious" and interesting I added a little embroidered saying, "Got Cookies?" My kids think that means that every time I wear this apron I'll be making cookies. Nice thought, but doubtful....