Showing posts with label project 17. Show all posts
Showing posts with label project 17. Show all posts

Monday, May 7, 2012

Four Fat Quarter Apron Tutorial : :

Flirty Fat Quarter Apron

Today I'm sharing a tutorial for a half apron that sews up quickly and requires less than four fat quarters to make! This step by step tutorial creates the basic half apron design, however you can take this simple pattern and add your own details -- applique, pockets, longer straps to wrap around to tie in the front, etc. If you have any questions leave a comment or feel free to email me at maureencracknell@hotmail.com. Now let's get started!!    

What you'll need : :
  • 1 - fat quarter measuring 18" x 22" for the main apron fabric
  • 1 - fat quarter cut in half, into two equal pieces measuring 11"x 18" for the side panel fabrics
  • 1 - fat quarter to cut a piece measuring 9" x 22" for the waistband
  • 1 - fat quarter to cut two pieces measuring 7" 22" for the straps
  • coordinating thread
  • Sewing pins
  • Sharp scissors and/or a rotary cutter/mat set 

Creating the Apron Skirt : :

1. Using the fat quarter chosen for the first layer of the apron skirt, create a hem by folding in the bottom edge 1/4" and press 2. Fold 1/4" again, press, and pin in place 3. Repeat this step for both sides of the fat quarter piece  4. Sew along inner folded edge and the outer edge to create a double seam

My creation

Once finished the bottom of the fat quarter and both sides should have a nice double seam hem.

Finished Double Seam

Creating the Apron Skirt Panels : : 

5. Using the fat quarter chosen for creating each side panel, cut this fat quarter in half, to two pieces measuring 11" x 18"  6. Using the same steps for hemming the skirt, create a hem on both the bottom and each side of the panel pieces. There is no need to hem the top 7. Lay each panel piece on top of the hemmed skirt piece at a slight angle as shown below

My creation

Once the panel pieces are positioned, pin in place.

pin panels in place

Creating the Apron Waistband : :  

8. From the fat quarter chosen for the waistband, cut a piece measuring 9" x 22"  9. Fold in each edge a 1/4" and press 10. Fold this piece in half so the sides match up and press well

My creation

The pressed waistband should have no exposed raw edges.

Finished Waistband

Attaching the Apron Waistband : :  

11. Place the finished apron skirt inside the waistband, so the waistband covers the raw edges at the top of the apron skirt  12. Pin in place 13. Sew along both the top of the waistband, staying close to the edge, and along the bottom, leaving both sides of the waistband open (for the straps)

My creation

Remove the pins, now it's time to make the straps!

remove pins -- Finished apron front

Creating the Apron Straps : :  

14. From the fat quarter chosen for the straps, cut two pieces measuring 7" x 22"  15. Using the same instructions for creating the waistband, fold in edges, press and then fold in half  16. sew along the outside edge of each strap piece, staying close to the edge  17. Insert strap piece into the opening left on each side of the waistband, pin in place  18. Sew straps in place, for this I always sew two seams

My creation

Voila! Using less than four fat quarters you've created a super cute apron! My favorite part is that the bottom skirt fabric stays draped and you can lift the side panels to wipe your hands almost like hanging tea towels! Love that!! 

Four Fat Quarter Apron

The wide waistband makes this apron easy wearing and flattering to all our shapes, and the angled side panel pieces add a sweet feminine and flirty-ness, too!

Four Fat Quarter Apron

I hope you enjoy making and wearing this apron! You can read about my reason for creating this apron here. As always, if you decided to give this tutorial a try -- be sure to let me know and feel free to share a photo on my facebook page anytime!!

Happy Monday, friends!!  Maureen 

* * * * * * UPDATE : :  After making this apron a few more times myself and having so many of my blog followers and friends make one as well, I do recommend lengthening the straps. The size in the tutorial will work for a size small/medium, so I just suggest that you adjust the length to a comfortable length for yourself or for the person who will be wearing it! THANKS!! M

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Aprons for Haiti : :

Oh, I love a good apron. Yes I do! So, when Craft Hope announced Project 17 : : Aprons for Haiti, I signed on right away to contribute at least one! Today, I'm happy to have two to share with high hopes of a few more to send in by the May 31st deadline.

Aprons for Haiti

For my first apron I used a bit of my Fabric Envy mail, pulling four fat quarters from the bundle of Hello Luscious that I won recently in a giveaway Andrea had on the Fabric Envy blog.

Hello Luscious

The colors in this collection are so pretty and sweet. It was a nice change from the brights I usually work with.

Hello Luscious Apron

The idea I had for this apron was to create something beautiful and useful that wouldn't require too much fabric for easy construction and very little cutting. I ended up using just two full fat quarters for the main skirt of the apron, half of the third fat quarter for the waist band, and the straps needed about three quarters of the forth fat quarter to create this entire apron! I'm calling it my Flirty Fat Quarter Apron and I'll have a quick tutorial to share soon! Hopefully you're interested! *wink*

Flirty Fat Quarter Apron

For my second apron I used my Fabric Lover's Apron Tutorial, choosing Loulouthi once again! I had all the pieces already cut, left from when I created that tutorial, so this one came together super quick, too! I've made four of these now myself and have loved being sent photos of this apron pattern made by some of you! Thank you!!

Loulouthi Apron

In case you are interested in joining Project 17, I pulled some of the information off of the Craft Hope Facebook page to share today, as well. In the words of Craft Hope --

PROJECT 17 :: APRONS FOR HAITI :
 
It is unlikely that the average Haitian woman will ever receive anything that is special and pretty, something just for herself. Daily life for the Haitian woman is grueling and backbreaking. Most have to carry 5-gallon buckets of water on their heads from miles away. Cooking is done in a pit in the ground from handmade charcoal. The few pieces of clothing they have are washed in the river and hung to dry.

To receive something as precious as an apron made with love from pretty new fabrics would go a long way in making a Haitian women feel special. We would love for you to join us as we sew and collect aprons for the women of Haiti!

Guidelines for Project Apron:
--Pretty-but-practical full or half aprons (nothing too frilly, ruffly or lacey)
--Washable fabrics only please
--Pockets are a plus
--You may include a handwritten note with your apron if you like. Someone will be available to translate when we deliver the aprons
 

--Please send all aprons to:
HAITI BY HAND
3333 Benton Road
Cedar Hill TN
37032

Again, the deadline for this project is May 31, 2012, so you can still have plenty of time to follow and share on the facebook page that was created while the Craft Hope website is being rebuilt. You can get all the additional details there, as well!


I hope you do join in and that you let me know if you do!!  Maureen 

p.s. Be sure to stop back from my new fabric giveaway beginning tomorrow morning! Here's a peek!!