Episode 102: Awesome Aprons

Awesome Apron by EllynAnne Geisel

Use dishtowels to create a sweet and simple apron.

Supplies

• 4 dishtowels
• All-purpose thread
• Removable fabric marker
• Seam ripper
• Length of heavy string or cord

Sew It

1. Prewash and press the towels.
2. Download the pattern.
3. Cut out the pattern pieces from the towels, transferring the marks. If using towels with a border design, align the borders as desired on the pattern pieces. 
4. With right sides together, align the skirt pieces; pin one long edge. Along each towel lower-edge center, remove 2" of the hem stitching; press open. Trim away the hem from the towel upper edge.
5. Stitch the long pinned edge; press open. Serge- or zigzag-finish the seam. Refold and stitch the hem along the lower-edge center.
6. Fold the pocket raw edges 1/2" toward the wrong side; press. With the right sides facing up, position the pockets on the skirt according the placement marks; pin. Topstitch the pocket sides and lower edges.
7. Fold one end of each tie 1/2" toward the wrong side. Stitch 3/8" from the fold.
8. With right sides facing, align the waistbands; pin, and then stitch one long edge. Turn right side out; press. Position one tie raw end 1/2" between the waistband layers along one short edge; stitch. Repeat to attach the remaining tie to the opposite waistband end.
9. Fold waistband in half widthwise to find the center; pin-mark. Position the waistband back-layer unfinished edge along the apron wrong-side upper edge, matching the centers; pin, and then stitch.
10. Fold the waistband upper-layer unfinished edge 1/2" toward the wrong side; press. Position the folded edge along the apron right-side upper edge; pin, and then topstitch along the folded edge.
11. With right sides facing, stitch together the ruffle pieces along one short edge; press open the seam. Fold one long edge 1/2" toward the wrong side; pin and then stitch.
12. Draw a line 1/2" from the ruffle long raw edge. Set the machine to the widest and longest possible zigzag stitch.
13. Place the string along the marked line; zigzag stitch over the string.
14. Find the ruffle center point; pin-mark. With right sides facing up, align the ruffle center with the apron lower-edge center; pin. Align the ruffle ends with the apron lower side edges; pin.
15. Gently pull the string from each end to gather the ruffle until it matches the apron lower edge. Evenly distribute the gathers; pin generously along the apron lower edge. Stitch 1/4" from the ruffle upper edge.
16. Remove the string from the stitching, and then remove the zigzag basting stitches.

Products used in this episode:

• Arrow Model 2000 sewing chair, Olivia cabinet and Pixie cutting table

• Brother Project Runway Limited Edition 5234PRW serger and Project Runway Limited Edition Innov-ís 40 sewing machine