Monday, December 3, 2012

Ah Hello, Mrs. Cleaver!

I may be a 50's housewife trapped in a career girl's body.  I love to bake Bundts and play hostess.  Both of which are much more doable with some semblance of elegance if you embrace a critical piece of apparel; the apron.  The apron is totally under appreciated.  Get dressed up in your favorite outfit, then put on another accessory, then get as dirty as you want, then remove the accessory and go back to your favorite outfit??  Yes please!  Brilliant!

Aprons are so easy to make as gifts.  You cut the apron shape, trim the edges, sew on some ties, add a little decor and you have a perfectly adorable Christmas present.  Don't tell anyone, but I can usually turn out an apron in an hour or two.  So good for the hostesses (or hosts!) in your life.

I had a request this year for a brown apron, so off to Joann Fabrics I went.  You need a yard of canvas or heavy cloth, I use indoor decorating fabric which is heavy enough to be food-resistant, but not as stiff as some.  Then you need a couple packets of extra wide double-fold bias tape like this:
In whatever your trim color will be!  Super fun.  You need 4 yards of whatever you want to make the ties from.  In this example, I use an awesome brown grosgrain ribbon.

First, cut the apron shape.  I used a previous apron to pencil out this one, but you can freehand it.  This one is going to a very petite person so the top isn't too big, but there's a fun scallopy bit at the bottom:
Then pin on your bias tape as the trim all the way around:
Then sew it on.  Cut two matching lengths of ribbon for the neck and two for the waist and sew those on.  You can leave them long and trim them when you put it on for the first time.  
Ta da!!  I added a ribbon bow as the decor on this one because it was just oh-so Mrs. Cleaver.  But it might be too campy?  (Is there such a thing??)  If I get ambitious I may add a pocket?  We'll see.  But for now, I think Mrs. Cleaver would approve.
Happy DIY Monday!  See the other entries here at Newly Woodwards. 
 

5 comments:

  1. I love aprons! Especially vintage ones of course, but new ones with a vintage flare are also top on my list. :)

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  2. That apron is adorable! I love the scalloped edge at the bottom. And I've never thought to use bias tape instead of hemming all the edges . . . that must make it so much quicker, and it looks great, too. You did an awesome job, it's so cute!

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  3. I love this apron! It's super cute and also quite flattering, if I do say so. Awesome work!

    Thank you so much for linking up to Dare to DIY!

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  4. Very cute apron! Love the pattern. Thanks for joining the Dare to DIY!

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  5. You are awesome. This apron is fantastic - more sexy retro than retro cute, in my opinion! Well done, chick! I also now want to dye my hair a fun color! The pink is FAB. Much Dare to DIY Love!

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