Friday, July 11, 2008

Make Do Apron Tutorial - Part Two

Good morning everyone. Do you have your coffee brewed? We're ready to get started with the sewing portion of Mary Jane Butter's Make-Do apron pattern. If you missed the first part, you can find Part One here. I know some of you have done your homework and that's a good thing.

For those of you who don't sew, stick it out because there's something for everyone at the end of this post.

Let's get started. You've got all your pattern pieces cut out of your men's shirt. The first pieces we're going to work with are the ties. In order to finish the edges we're going to fold over the point and press it down.

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Fold over the other edges and press as you go. Keep folding and pressing until each side has been turned over twice, encasing the raw edge.

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Run a line of stitching around the tie. Put these pieces aside.

Take the neck strap piece, fold it in half lengthwise and stitch together on the long edge. Turn inside out and press.

Next we're going to apply bias tape to the tab piece. You will notice that when you unfold the bias tape it has a narrow side and a wider side.

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Position the narrower side of the bias along one edge of the point with right sides together. Stitch 1/4 inch seam, turn and press.

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Do the same to the other side of the point, remembering to leave some extra to tuck under when you turn it over. Press everything flat.

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Determine which is the right side of your main pattern piece. Lay this pattern piece on your work surface with the right side down. Take your neck strap piece and position the two ends one inch from each side of the top edge.

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Lay your tab piece on top, right side down. Pin and stitch layers together with a 1/4 inch seam.

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Flip the tab over to the front. See, your neck strap is enclosed in the seam.

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In order to keep the tab in place we're going to sew it to the apron by "stitching in the ditch". You're going to run a line of stitching exactly where the two fabrics meet. I'm pointing with my handy crochet hook.

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Now we'll start applying bias tape to all the edges, starting with the underarms. It's the same as before. You're going to stitch the bias tape to the apron, turn, press and stitch in the ditch.

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After you've finished that, apply bias to the two sides, and then the bottom.

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I like a sturdy pocket so I cut two pieces. Sew them right sides together, leaving a opening for turning inside out. My grandmother always said that less is less and so I decided to decorate the pocket with a piece of doily from my stash. I made several rows of stitching around the doily to secure it and then applied some bias tape to the top of the pocket and added a button.

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Pin the pocket in place on the apron and run a single or double row of stitching around the edge.

Attach the ties on the sides...and you're done!

Here's the finished apron.

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I paid $1.99 for the shirt and the other fabrics, the doily and a button were from my stash.

I really loved how this apron turned out. But I promised myself I wasn't going to keep this one.

Everyone who stuck it out through the whole tutorial now has a chance to win this apron. Just leave me a comment and you'll be entered. Only one comment per person please. I'll close the entries at 10 p.m. on Saturday evening and announce the winner first thing on Monday morning. As in the past I'll use the old school method of having the Farmer draw the lucky winner.

Please feel free ask questions. I think I've explained everything pretty well, but you just never know. Thanks for visiting. I appreciate that fact that you take time out of your busy day to stop by.

NOTE: Oooops, It was late and stormy last night when I scheduled this post and I forgot to mention the BIAS TAPE. Next week I'm going to show you how to make your own bias tape. There's a trick I learned in a quilting class years ago that makes it really easy. It's so much fun to be able to have different tapes for your projects. So, stay tuned!! Hopefully the electric won't go off again and I'll be able to edit the photos!

45 comments:

chocolatechic said...

Stunning......absolutely stunning.


I just know that this apron was made for me. ;)

Heidi said...

***bangs head on desk**** I think its to early for me to read this yet - maybe after a little coffee - wait cant have coffee..... more sleep - wait cant sleep - DANG IT.. I am just gonna have to print this off and sew it then!!! LOL

What a neat thing to do!! The Milk Man is tall so his shirts are gonna work PERFECTAMUNDO as Fonzy says!

United Studies said...

Oh I do hope it is me!! Reading this tutorial makes me wish I knew how to sew....perhaps I'll have to bring out my grandma's old machine again and practice.

Anonymous said...

I am new to your blog and I can't resist an apron!

I no longer keep a blog but if I win I will surely provide my email and address! :)

Marie Reed said...

This apron is quite the looker!

Trish said...

Oh my goodness....Aprons were the topic of conversation yesterday at work when one lady kindly brought some very very old recipe books and handwritten slips of paper with age old recipes on them for me to browse through for my cooking interest. (uhm...I call it my weekly Chem Sunday) Anyway....these old cookbooks had great 'photos' - remember the 60's style photos in those cookbooks...beautiful women in lovely aprons serving supper to clean and crisp kids and husbands?

Anyway...love your apron. I simply cannot sew and won't even try to get 'domestic' on that account. But heck, that is one gorgeous job you did there.

ps...I love the way you take time to respond to your commenters. You are one 'able' woman to do all you do.!!

Anonymous said...

I love the combination of fabric patterns on this apron. I'd look stunning baking my cakes wearing that apron!!

Lil_Birdie said...

Oh my gosh this came out so cute :)
Thanks so much for the tutorial

Anonymous said...

This is very cute!

Mamahut said...

It is just beautiful. What a talented lady you are. I will have to print the tutorial and put it in my special box labeled "I want to do this." It's getting bigger and bigger, but I will craft again, someday. Actually I could have more time to craft, if I would just put the blogging away. lol.

Paula B. said...

I haven't done my homework - yet.

But I shared the idea with my mom. Most of my dad's clothes were given away shortly after his death, but we're hoping to find enough to make aprons for my four girls.

thanks for sharing a lovely way to create a really meaningful apron. When they tie it on, it can become a 'hug' from their Grandpa who loved them very dearly.

and I'm STILL emoting...puddles everywhere!

In the meantime, I hope I win your giveaway - your tutorial apron turned out scrumptious!

You are such a lovely soul, Suzanne - my life is richer for knowing you.

Anonymous said...

The apron is just precious, in fact I'm thinking about making one of my own.

Thanks for sharing.

Paula B. said...

Wait!
Wait!
Stop the Show!!


Weren't you going to show us how to make our own bias tape???

Else, tell me were you found such lovely patterned bias tape!

okay - we now return to your regularly scheduled programming.

Paula B. said...

I quote

I'm also going to teach you how to make your own binding. That will be a separate tutorial.


I'm hoping this is coming up soon, else how shall we finish our aprons??

[whining over]

:)

Paula B. said...

[gulp] - now that I have totally disobeyed your instructions to only comment once, I thought I'd better add that you will have to delete these last three comments. I wasn't trying to take unfair advantage! I was going to delete them myself, but it will still register as a deleted comment.

So sorry - leave it to me to gum up the works.

Looks like you truly have more than one 'crappy commenter' - I'm just on the extreme other side of the participation scale!

CSTM

Anonymous said...

CAme here by way of Robyn's blog...
BEAUTIFUL!! I'm teaching my 10 yr oldhow to seew this summer (an art not taught in our school's here in over 25 years...damn them). Her first apron is in progress...
Somerset Mag has a call for apron's for an issue coming out...hint hint.

ArtPropelled said...

Great apron Suzanne! You are very clever. I was coming over to tell you there is an award for you at my blog....but now it looks like I'm trying to bribe you :-)

Apple Jack said...

Great apron! Love shopping at Goodwill, lots of bargains and ideas.

Marty52 said...

I don't think it will fit me but I just wanted to comment and say that this apron is verra nice... perfect, actually. Great tutorial, too!

Linda said...

Thank you for the step by step apron tutorial...I'm hoping I can handle this one. I'm sure gonna give it a try!

Thank you for the giveaway. The apron is adorable and I'd love, love, love to win it. I've never won a giveaway but this could be the srart of something!

Ritch in Love said...

I love this apron! This summer my daughter started her first sewing class. I just posted about it. In four days she made a darling tote bag. And now her next apron is an apron! She is sleeping in today, but when she wakes up I'll have to show her your apron! She'll be excited! I am going to buy a sewing machine. I actually hand sew, I don't know how to sew with a machine. Do you have any advice on a good machine that is user friendly?

Julie H said...

It turned out really cute!

Anonymous said...

Oh, I really want to win this apron. It's so beautiful! And just think of the money you'll save on postage.

Anonymous said...

What a gorgeous apron! I think I'll need one myself!

Libby

carolyn@simple~primitive~devotion said...

Very cute! Too bad I am awful about sewing. Maybe you can keep giving tutorials? :)

Sharon in Carolina said...

Love the apron, I wm going to start one next week for a Christmas gift.

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing this tutorial. I am definetely going to try to make one of these aprons. I LOVE what you have done with an old shirt!! Who'd have thunk it?

I hope I win!!!

Unknown said...

Very cool...I wish I was crafty /could sew... Maybe in my next life....

jmmyndlnd said...

I'm new to your blog but I just love reading it, you have alot of interesting things to say and I love your recipes, I don't blog myself but love to read them, keep it up. Oh and that apron is too pretty to use as an apron, just love it, hope I win it, lol

Jill said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!!

I am DYING to get to India and use my sewing machine... (I just bought a new one (which is really a used Bernina but I saved up for it for awhile) that I just got for my 35th birthday.

I have this post saved so I can make aprons. This looks like so much fun!

Aunt Jo said...

Very cute!

Cottage Rose said...

What a wonderful beautiful apron. It looks better as and apron then a mans shirt. I did not get to make one, but now I will have to go and buy a mans shirt and my Good Will. Your is so nice to nice to use when cooking.

Hugs;
Alaura

Anonymous said...

That is the cutest apron ever. Whats more I wear them when I am cooking. I have made them, but not anything as pretty as yours. thank you for such a generous gift offer. And the step by step instructions.

Love ya, Jeanne

Rechelle ~Walnuthaven Cottage~ said...

That's very cute indeed. I'm not a "sewing" person, unfortunately, but I went through the whole thing and thought "maybe". I'd love to be entered in your drawing.
Have a wonderful day.
Cheers!

Unknown said...

I love the apron !!!

And I'm going to make one. I have the shirt deconstuctured as I type.

I have started wearing aprons again as I seem to be getting messier the older I get. Plus they're handy at school when you're doing stuff with the kids.

Suzanne said...

Chocolatechic - Guess what? A little birdie told me that you wear PINK!

Heidi - The problem is that you get up before the crack of dawn. Heck, the chickens aren't even up at that hour. No wonder you can't read directions at that hour.

Jacki - I think you should get your grandma's sewing machine out and take it for a spin. I would make her so proud.

Tammy - Don't worry. You don't need a blog to enter. Just be sure to check back so that you can contact me if you win.

Marie - I'll say one thing - it's PINK.

Trish - I have lots of photos of my mom in what were called "hostess" aprons. They'd wear the old cotton ones back in the kitchen and change to the frilly hostess apron when the guests arrived.

Dara - I agree, you woud look darling in this apron. I always tell the Farmer that I would look adorable in a Mercedes convertible.

lil birdie - Get busy. Start sewing one now.

Susan- Thanks. I like Mary Jane's pattern and there are so many ways to get creative with it.

Mamahut - Step away from the blogging. HA. Pick up something creative.

Paula - You are one of my original Peeps. HEY EVERYBODY...Paula is my Grammar Nazi. And NO PAULA, I'm not going to delete any of the comments. I'll just borrow your red pen and take care of those extra entries you tried to sneak in.. heh heh heh. Besides you make my comment numbers look REALLY good.

Stephanie - Any freind of Robyn's is a friend of mine. I begged and begged my mother to teach me how to sew. I remember it was so much fun and so important to me. Thanks for the heads up about Somerset.

Robyn - I take bribes, they must have four wheels and a fast engine. Thanks for the award.

Apple Jack - Goodwill - I must stay out of that place , except to buy shirts, otherwise I buy way too much stuff.

Marty - It's a one size fits most. If it will reach around me believe me it will fit you.

Linda - Be sure to come back and ask me if you have any questions as you're sewing.

Dana - Don't think about it - dive right in.

Ritch in Love - I'm so happy your daughter is learning to sew. My sewing machine is a 40 lb vintage machine, but previously I had a fairly inexpensive Brother that I sewed on every day for ten years.

Julie - Thanks. I had fun picking the fabrics.

Pat - Save money on postage...what postage? If you win we can meet for coffee and I can deliver it.

Libby - Every woman needs one.

Carolyn - Oh, the tutorials have only just begun. Wait until I give you the homework assignment of going out and finding a bowling ball. NOT KIDDING.

Smokey - Yes, these make really terrific Christmas gifts.

Graham - It's just one of Mary Jane's good ideas on how to repurpose things.

Tressa - I know the post office delivers to Norway.

jmmyndmd - You should try blogging. It's more addicting than crack cocaine.

Jill - A used Bernine trumps most other machines!! I can't wait till you get to India, you can start your own cottage industry.

Aunt Jo - There you are!!! Glad you entered.

Alaura - Wear a plastic bag while cooking and then change just before

Jeanne - Can you believe that I always forget to put my apron on??? That's crazy.

Rechelle - Maybe, yes maybe. I think you're like the little engine that could. But just in case I'm throwing your name in the hat.

Thanks to everyone for taking time to visit and share. I hope to see some finished aprons featured on your blogs!!

- Suzanne

Vee said...

Suzanne, that is absolutely stunning! Thank you so much for doing this tutorial for us...I know that they're not easy.

Anonymous said...

I so admire women who are crafty with fabric. My mother was an amazing seamstress who made clothes for me when I was a child, and often helped me make doll clothes. I regret that I dropped sewing in high school. Now I wish I could learn more...

Debra from Bungalow said...

Just love that & want to know more! You're a talented sewer! Many yrs ago I used to sew lots......maybe this will inspire me.

I hope I win, Hugs, DebraK

Anonymous said...

I would love to win your apron. It is so pretty! Thank you for the clear and nicely-photographed tutorial. As soon as I find a suitable men's shirt, I want to try to make an apron of my own. If I make one, I will let you know.

Karen Deborah said...

gorgeous, am reading all these tutorials late of course and am thinking this might be a fun thing to do. I used to sew. I love pink. Why don't you post all of these aprons just for perusing pleasure.

Lovella ♥ said...

Hi there, I just wanted to let you know that I won an apron from Vee. Since then I have made many of them .. with beautiful fabrics. I double them to make them reversible. . .and just last week I finished one for my little grandgirlie.
thank you ...
You can see my sewing closet here . .

http://lovella-at-home.blogspot.com/2009/12/sewing-closet.html

Anonymous said...

Very nice work and well explained. Thanks

Anonymous said...

I haven't sewed any clothing for years. I'm following your tutorial using a free denim maxi dress from the thrift store and some fabric from my craft stash with blue background and big roses for the pocket and bib. Binding is a lighter rose color with tiny white hearts and vines on it. Thank you so much for your hard work on this tutorial. One of your photos saved me from sewing the neck tie on wrong! My sewing isn't perfect, but it's turning out so pretty. And yours is simply gorgeous -- that's what inspired me. Thanks again so much.

Patti said...

I am very late to this post but I have a question and hope you will respond. Your post does not show the pictures anymore, just replaces every photo with a Photobucket image. Is it possible for you to restore the photos? The pictures would be very helpful. I was recently given a bout 20 shirts in almost new condition and want to make this apron with them. I have already printed the pattern and have it enlarged ready to cut out the shirts.
Your help would be very appreciated.
Thank you.