Saturday, January 21, 2012

Directions for a simple Child's Apron

I tried searching for a simple pattern to teach sewing to a young girl.  When I didn't find what I was looking for, I came up with the following apron design that uses minimal cutting and sewing, yet doesn't look like a potato sack.  I used two coordinating prints for this apron, but if you choose to only use one fabric, it will only take a half yard of fabric that is 44" wide.

What you'll need:
1/2 yard of 44 inch wide fabric or 14" of one print and 3" of coordinating print
thread
rick rack - optional
double fold bias tape for the waistband and ties
 
Here are the dimensions cutting your pattern.  1 square = 1 inch   The straight edge of the apron body pattern will be placed on the fold of the fabric.  The same with the ruffle pattern piece.

Your cut out fabrics should look like this:
Here are the steps to assemble using a 1/4" seam allowance:
1)  Sew a hem on the long edge of the ruffle (turn in 1/4" and turn in again. stitch the fold down)
2)  Sew a gathering/basting stitch on the other edge.  Gather the ruffle to match the bottom of the apron.  On my piece I had to gather to 32". 
3)  Pin the right side of the ruffle to the right side of the apron bottom matching the outer edges.  Sew a 1/4" seam.
4)  Press the seam towards the apron.  Optional:  Sew a piece of rick rack over the seam with a straight stitch.
5)  Make a hem along the outside edges of the apron and the ruffle (turn in 1/4" and turn in again and stitch the fold down).
6.  Make a gathering stitch along the top of the apron.  I gathered my apron to measure 13".
7.  Cut a piece of double fold bias tape 45".  Mark the center of the tape.
8.  Open up the tape matching the center of the tape with the center of the apron top.  Pin the right side of the opened tape up with the wrong side of the apron.  (You will be attaching the opened up tape and sewing it to the back first).
9.  Sew the tape and apron together stitching along the bias tape fold line.
10. Press the seam and fold the tape over to the front of the apron.  Pin the tape down on the apron.
11.  Starting from the end of the bias tape (which is now your apron tie) sew the bias tape closed all the way to the apron body.  Continue sewing over the apron body removing your pins carefully as you sew.  Finish sewing out the tape which creates the other apron tie.
12. Sew another row of stitching along the entire top of the bias top. 
13.  Your apron is finished when you tie a knot at the end of each of your apron ties!

Yippppeeeeee   You're done!  Enjoy!!

2 comments:

  1. So glad Martha mentioned your blog today. So great to find another kindred spirit. I also love antique fabric, blocks, tops, quilts. I could go on and on. Love to rescue and try to make them better.

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  2. Lynn, your blog is wonderful! You are truly a historian at heart and I can't wait to read all your posts.

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