What I worked on last week

Last week I decided I would make myself a new apron.  And, naturally, Emily needed a matching one.  I dug out some material that I got from Vickie last year, when I thought I might sell aprons on Etsy (no, I do not currently sell anything there, but maybe someday).  Since the pattern I was going to use (See & Sew B4838) called for rick-rack, I hunted through my notions.  I do not currently own rick-rack, but I did have some lace that matched my fabric exactly.  Awesome sauce.


The lace I got from my mother-in-law, who brought it back from her parent's house after her mother died.  Having Grandma Homer's lace is very special.  She was a spunky, determined woman.  I only met her a handful of times, but she was easy to be around, like another Grandma for me while mine were both far away, and I didn't have family of my own around.  I've used Grandma Homer's lace before, on something I sewed for my sister-in-law.  And I figured Grandma would approve of it going onto my brightly colored apron.


I cut out my pieces and then Emily's, but I sewed up her apron first.  Maybe because I was making up her pattern, and the idea was in my head, or maybe because I enjoy making things for her more than for myself.  Although, I do enjoy my new apron.

I am going to do dishes right after this picture, I promise

Emily's apron has a gathered pocket, and a ruffle around the apron.  (I had an elaborate plan for the ruffle, which didn't work out, and I ended up trimming and hemming it after it was sewn to the apron.  Don't do that.  Hem it first.)  The ties are one strip of fabric, sewn across the top of the apron. After taking lots of pictures of me in my apron, she consented to wear hers.

Emily's apron was quick and easy (well, it would be if you didn't mess up the ruffle like I did).  To make your own you will need:

Main fabric:
1 semi-circle, about 21 x 12.5 inches (I actually used 2, sewn as one, since the fabric was so thin).

Contrast fabric:
1 semi-circle, about 7 x 5.5 inches
1 rectangle, about 6.75 x 2.75 inches
1 strip, 4 x 40 inches (for the ties)
1 strip, 2.5 x 80 inches (cut two strips from selvage to selvage, and sew them together; this is for the ruffle)

Gather the smaller semi-circles along its flat edge.  Sew the pocket semi-circle to the pocket top.  Press the seam flat.  I then sew a seam, half an inch in along the outside of the pocket, to use as a guide when I press the outside edge in.

Press the outside edge, the top edge of the pocket, and with the pocket folded over to the seam.  Sew the top of the pocket down, over where the ruffles are, so you have a nice finished edge on the inside of the pocket.  Then pin the pocket in place, and sew about 1/4 inch in from the edge to secure it.  (Make sure your ends are back stitched so your pocket does not end up falling off.)

Press under the hem for the ruffle (I usually press under about 1/4 inch, and then press under about the same again, so the raw edge is hidden), and sew.  Then gather the raw ruffle edge, and sew it to the main apron piece.  It is a good idea to press your ruffle seam.

Gather the top edge of your apron; I gathered it so the main apron piece was about 10 inches across.  Press all the edges of your tie strip under 1/4 inch, then pin the main apron to your strip, centering it along one side.  Press open your seam, and then fold over the tie piece, and sew along all the edges about 1/4 inch in.