Well, the project sat on the corner of my kitchen table for several days, but I finally got out my sewing machine and started putting it together.
No, I’m not sewing my own bikini. It’s the beginnings of an apron. There are all these great blogs dedicated to the pursuit of cute and flirty aprons, The Apronista, Confessions of an Apron Queen, The Secret Stitch Club and many more. It looked so fun, and I wanted in on it.
Now, I read somewhere that an apron is a good, simple project for the beginner. But I think I went out and bought the most difficult apron pattern ever devised by man. I envisioned cutting out one large piece of fabric and maybe adding some ties and few embellishments.
As usual my lack of attention to detail (The reason there are so many typos in my posts. To think I once was an editor.) got the best of me. I didn’t study the pattern very well before I purchased it. I just thought the pictures on the front were pretty. When I got the pattern home I discovered that these aprons were rather complex with all sorts of bands, and trims, and a myriad of other little pieces. They’re more like dresses with out backs.
As you can see, I’ve managed to get something together that resembles the top. The trim on one side is wider than the other, because I didn’t fully understand the directions when I began the execution. Hmm, it looks better in the photo than up close.
I also forgot to change the thread in my sewing machine from white to black initially. I know, amateur mistake. Look, I still have to read the diagram on the machine every time to remember how to thread it.
Well, do you know how I took care of that white thread?
Black Sharpie.
Yep.
I colored over the white stitching with a permanent marker.
Oh, yeah!
I am so resourceful.
The ties were my next dilemma. I sewed two inside out, then I was supposed to turn them so the seams were on the inside. The stinkin’ things are so narrow, it was almost impossible to turn them. After 10 minutes of trying, I found some polka dot ribbon scraps I had, and used those. I just just have no patience for things like that.
I have to say as bad as I am at sewing, I’m having fun, and already thinking about what to make next.
After I finish this.
Next year sometime.
You are more adventuresome than I! My sewing machine is out (after a few years of rest) only to stitch the edges of the fabric I am using to re-cover my dining room chairs. (Read about my adventure here: http://tinyurl.com/67jtkw)
It’s very…unravelly might be the best word…fabric, so I am using a honeycomb stitch I found on my machine that I have never used before. I normally use a zig zag to secure the edges, but zig zagging was making largish holes in the fabric.
I can’t wait to see how your apron turns out!
That cracks me up . . .i would have never thought to use a sharpie! I w o uld have ripped the stitches and started over after i had a temper tantrum!
Ha! My hubby always laughs at me when I suggest covering something up with a marker! I think it is a wonderful solution!
Too funny! I think I know exactly the pattern you bought, too — is it Simplicity 2932? I made one from that — adorable but SO complicated! I really love aprons. I just started a new Mommy and Me Apron Swap on my blog if you’re interested.
-Shawnee
PS – I also run the Flirty Apron swaps at http://flirtyapronswap.blogspot.com — join us next time!
It’s that very same pattern. LOL!