My Patchwork Apron

I made it using strips of material that I had they were twentyone and half inches in length each strip was different in width. I hand sewed the strips together and then ironed the seams flat. I used a piece of material to cover the back and sewed that right sides together leaving a gap to turn it right sides out. then I sewd up the gap and carefully ironed it before sewing down each strip to stop the ballon effect.

I used a piece of material that I liked for the pocket and sewed the embelishment to the corner then sewed the pocket in place.
Using some material that I had left over I made the waist band and ties. A four inch strip was wideenopugh to create a 2 inch waist band and ties by folding it in half.
I used a running stitch along the top of the apron and gathered it up then placed the apron in the centre of the waistband and ties and pinned it in place.
I carefully sewed the waistband and ties in place so it was really neat and hey presto one apron.

It took me 5 days as I hand sew and I enjoyed every minute of it. I have wanted a pretty apron for a while but they are so darned expensive to buy. This one cost me £1.50pence. I bought the matrial for the back of the apron it was in the reject bin and I got it for 50pence. The yellow material was bought as well. I can buy strips of material 4inches wide so if a metre of matial costs £10 I can get a strip for £1. They sell it like that for students as many need samples of material. People also buy it for patchworking as well. That way you can get a lot of material and not spend a fortune on it. The other material I had from other projects or was sent to me as a gift. So my apron was made for very little cost always a plus in my books.

That's really cute Paula. I wish I could sew. You could be on to something there!

Thanks Fe-Fe trust me I am seamstress in fact I came bottom of all sewing classes when I was a schol girl. My Mother gave up on me with sewing as well LOL. Now my Dads Mum was a seamstress but not me. I tend to make small things and the apron was the first big project I have done.

If you saw the mess I made of sewing JJ's name labels on his clothes when he started school you'd know why I swapped to iron on ones as soon as I discovered them! lol

There's no way I'd even attempt an apron. My mum is good at sewing though, she used to make me dresses and stuff when I was little. I obviously didn't get any sewing genes from her. lol

That is amazing Paula, and so economic. Good recycling of strips too. Well done.

Thanks guys. I love to re-cycle stuff it gives things a new lease of life and gives me something I want as well.

Thats fab Paula
I have a sewing machine now, just figure out how to use it! eek

I would love one but no space to store it. If I did have one it would have to be very basic as I am hopeless at getting to grips with them, that is why I hand sew I am in control all the time. No problems threading it up or spools running out or getting the tension wrong I can do all that easily LOL. The last sewing machine I had was basic but I still managed to goof it.

What a fab use of spare material you had Paula...my daughter was looking for an apron for home economics and I went out and bought one...I wish I had thought of this as I have quite alot of bit'n'bobs of material in the house....any more great idea's??? xx

Love your apron Paula great use of those strips of fabric!

That is fantastic...I can't sew for toffee and neither can my mum. Gran can sew wonderfully though...whenever we need anything mending we tend to take it to her!

Caro
x

I want to make some other things from strips of material and thought of making cushion covers. They would be simple to do and use up spare material and colourful.

cushion covers would look wonderful!
Caro
x

Well done paula - it is amazing that you hand stitched it - wow I am impressed.

Thanks I was not sure how it would turn out but it was ok in the end. I was surprised that it turned out as it did but then I always surprise myself at what I can do LOL