Feb 2, 2013

Love Dem Aprons~ Elastic Pocket Apron by Auntie Dem


I love these colours, so I had to make another apron!

I'm guessing that I used about 1 2/3 m of fabric. Maybe a little less.
I used 3 fabrics: Blue, Gingham, and Patterned
Approx 60” of lace that I had left overs
Approx  6" of narrow (1/4”) elastic

All seam allowances are 1/4" unless stated.


Skirt
I cut out 9 panels. Each panel was 18" tall, 4" wide across the top, and about 6" wide across the bottom. Then I cut the panel pattern down to 16” tall.

It's not rocket science. Just make sure that your panel pieces will fit your waist.
9 panels x 4" each = 36" minus the seam allowances. Big enough for me (size 14), or for the young women of the house to wrap around and tie in front (see photo above, she's a size 5.)

First, I sewed the panels together. I assembled the panels like this: 1-2-3-2-1-2-3-2-1
After sewing them RST, then I zig zagged the raw edges.

I hemmed the bottom with lace. (Or any way you wish.)
And then I hemmed the sides of the skirt by folding over 1/4" and pressing, then folding over another 1/4" and pressing, then stitching close to the inside fold.

Pocket
I cut out 2 pieces. To find out how much elastic I needed, I just pulled the elastic taut to the width of the pocket and then cut it. Then I pinned the elastic to the wrong side of one pocket. Doesn’t matter which pocket piece, just pick one. Sew in place.

RST, sew pockets together, leaving 2" (or so) opening at the bottom.
Fold over and press this opening to match up with the seam you just made, so when it is turned right side out it will already be ironed perfectly to match the seam.

Turn right side out. Pin front pocket to back pocket, and sew the elastic to the other pocket side.
Attach to skirt. I added a flower embellishment to the pocket.

Bib
I love the shape of the bib on my Cuisine Love Apron, but I was lazy and didn't want to make any darts.

Bib Top: Cut 2: cut a rhombus 8” across the top x 11 ½” across the bottom, 5” tall. That will be very generous in height. This is for the front and the back, as the bib is lined. I used BLUE fabric for both.

Bib Bottom BACK: Cut 1: cut a rhombus 11 ½” across the top, 13” across the bottom, 7” tall. I used PATTERNED fabric for this.

Bib Bottom FRONT Middle: Cut 1: 4 ½” x 7”. I got this measurement from matching the bib bottom middle  to the middle of the middle skirt panel and adding for seam allowance. I used GINGHAM to match with the GINGHAM skirt panel.

Bib Bottom FRONT Sides: Cut 2: To get the right shape & size, place the bib bottom middle FRONT piece on top of the bib bottom BACK piece. Add an extra ¼” for seam allowances to attach the inside edges to the middle piece.

When you have your pattern piece, place it on fabric (not on the bib bottom BACK.) I used PATTERNED fabric to match up with the next panel pieces of the skirt.

RST, sew sides to the middle to make the FRONT bottom bib..

Time to add lace or trims to the seam of the bib. I added lace. You could use ric rac in between the seam, or on top of the seam afterwards. Or leave alone. Your choice.
Sew the lace to the right side of the FRONT bib bottom. I matched up the raw edge of my lace to the raw edge of the bib bottom.

RST, sew FRONT bib top to FRONT bib bottom.
Repeat for the BACK bib. Now you have 2 bibs!

RST, sew bib BACK to bib FRONT at the sides. Leave the top and bottom open. Turn right side out and press. Press under ½” or more seam allowance at the top.

Waist Band
Cut 2: 2 ½” x 35” (width of hemmed skirt plus 1")
Press under ¼” lengthwise and ½” lengthwise on both waist bands. I press them on top of each other, to ensure they are the same size.

Find the center of one band, and pin it to the center of the bib and center of the skirt.
Pin the rest of the length of waist band. Your band should be ½” longer on each end than the skirt.
Turn under to match the side hems of the skirt and press.

Repeat for other waist band.

Neck Ties
Cut 2: 2 ½” x 24". I also cut the end into a point, 45 angle
RST, fold in half lengthwise and stitch. Turn right side out. Press. Edge stitch.

Waist Ties
Cut 2: 3" x 33". I also cut the end into a point, 45 angle
RST, fold in half lengthwise and stitch. Turn right side out. Press. Edge stitch.

Final Assembly
Attach neck ties to bib at the top, inserting them between the front and the back layers. Pin in place.
Sew the top of the bib, securing the ties.

Attach waist ties to the waist band openings, inserting them between the front and the back layers. Pin in place.

Sew the four sides of the waist band, securing the ties and the sides. (Sew an extra seam.)

And that’s that!

I Love Dem Aprons! By Auntie Dem

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