Red, White & Blue Apron

Ta-Da! I finished my first real sewing project today. (By real, I mean that it wasn't a kit and I had to cut and use a pattern.) I love aprons and wanted a new one, so I decided to make one!

I made the "Full Contact Apron" from Anna Marie Horner's beautiful new book Seams to Me: 24 New Reasons to Love Sewing. The instructions were so well written that even my novice self was able to make an apron I'm proud to show off!

I loved working on this apron because it was like a hands-on lesson. I had to select three different fabrics - and I love the three I chose. I had to cut the pattern pieces out then had to cut the fabrics, modifying them to my specific size. I had to make bias strips and buttons, two things I've not done before.

I didn't have to make button holes because I can slip it off easily, but I learned how to make them anyway. I also learned how to make an inverted pleat (on the bib) and gathers (at the waist). The hostess aprons I've been making have a continuous waistband, but this one has a decorative front and ties that I had to sew and pull through in the sides.

I'd like to make another soon because I can already see ways to improve what I did (wrong!). I would make the waistband taller. I sewed it backwards and had to rip it off and do it again; then I realized that I didn't flatten out my edge so I sewed it about an inch shorter than it should have been. Then, I had to modify the ties to match the smaller waistband.

I'd also do the pocket in a different fabric. It was supposed to have been the same as the neck ties, but I cut the other fabric by mistake and didn't realize it until I had it sewn into place.

I did make a few modifications to make it "me." For instance, I love zig-zag stitches, so I used them to edge the pockets and waistband.

For a first big project, I'm pretty pleased. Of course, I'll forever look at it and notice that I sewed the binding in the wrong place, that I put a little tear in the waist tie when I was turning it right side out ... you know, all the stuff no one else would notice!

(Please don't make fun of me in the photo. Yes, I took it in our powder bath. It was the only room with a mirror so I could see the reflection in the camera screen that I had it in the right place. Usually I make Paul photograph me with my head chopped off, but he won't be home until tomorrow night and I'm too excited to wait! And, no, the pocket and bib aren't off center - it's an illusion because of the way I'm standing with my hands on my hips.)