Dec
2
Sew an Apron in 15 Minutes!
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Think it can’t be done? Think again – an apron is a very simple thing to sew, and you can easily make your own pattern. Once you have your pattern, you can cut out and sew one up in 15 minutes or less!
To Make Your Pattern
We need to take 3 measurements:
Length - measure from mid way between your chest and the bottom of your neck to about 6″ above your knee, plus 1″ (for the hem).
Waist - measure from this same spot to your waist plus 5/8th” (for the top hem).
Width - measure your hips at their widest point (complete circumference, not side to side). Now, take off 14″ (the apron doesn’t need to close at the back, just go around your hips), and then divide by 2.
Now, take some pattern paper and fold it in half lengthways. Put a mark on the paper, on the fold, where your length measurement is. So, for example, if I am 28″ from upper chest to above the knee, I would make a mark on the fold 28″ from the top of the paper.
Now, mark off where your b>waist measurement is on the same fold. For me, this is 12″ down, so I make a mark on the fold 12″ from the top of the paper.
Now take a ruler, and at your waist mark point, mark a line out as far as your width measurement (now you can see why we divided by 2, as we have the pattern paper folded over!).
Now just mark a straight line from your width marking down to where your length marking is, then across to the fold (to see a diagram of this, just click here).
For the top of the apron, draw a line on the diagonal from your width marking to the top of the pattern paper. The width of the top of the apron is a personal choice. I have mine around 8″, but the fuller your figure, the more generous you should be. Just don’t forget to add on hem allowance for each side, and then divide by 2. So for my apron, my diagonal line hits the top of the pattern paper 4½” from the fold (8″ wide, plus 2 hem allowances of 5/8th” divided by 2).
Materials & Notions
For the waistband and neck, I use cotton webbing, about ¾” wide, and in similar colour to the fabric I am using. This is so much easier and quicker than making your own! For the waist ties, you will need 40″ (cut in two pieces). For the neck, you need 1 piece only (which we will sew into the top hem). Take your tape measure and measure from one side of your chest, round the back of your neck, to the other side of your chest (where the top of the apron will be). For me, this is 20″, so I would buy 22″ (extra for hem allowance).
The fabric for your apron should medium weight, and can be any colour or pattern you choose – check out the remnants table for a real bargain! For me, a yard of fabric will do in almost any width, but if you are not sure, take your pattern or measurements with you to the fabric store – the assistants there will help you get the right amount of fabric.
Making Your Apron
OK, doing all the above will take you more than 15 minutes, but you only have to do all those measurements and making of the pattern once. Now, let’s make our apron!
Lay out your fabric, pin on the pattern, and cut out.
Cut your cotton webbing into the three pieces – one neck piece, and two waist ties.
Sew a hem on one end of each of the two waist ties.
Now, pin up your hem allowance all around the apron. Once that is complete, we need to go back and insert the waist ties and neck piece (to see a diagram of this, just click here).
The waist ties should be inserted into your folded over hem allowance at the point where your waist line starts to go up on the diagonal. With the apron right side down (hem facing you), slip the webbing into the hem allowance, and then fold back over the hem allowance – we want to stitch over the top of the webbing and hem. Make sure you put the webbing in the right way so that your hem at the other end will be facing inwards once the apron hem is sewn!
Now do the same with each end of the neck webbing. The neck ends are attached at the top outer edges of the apron.
Sew. Iron. Done!!
By: Diane E Ellis
About the Author:
To Make Your Pattern
We need to take 3 measurements:
Length - measure from mid way between your chest and the bottom of your neck to about 6″ above your knee, plus 1″ (for the hem).
Waist - measure from this same spot to your waist plus 5/8th” (for the top hem).
Width - measure your hips at their widest point (complete circumference, not side to side). Now, take off 14″ (the apron doesn’t need to close at the back, just go around your hips), and then divide by 2.
Now, take some pattern paper and fold it in half lengthways. Put a mark on the paper, on the fold, where your length measurement is. So, for example, if I am 28″ from upper chest to above the knee, I would make a mark on the fold 28″ from the top of the paper.
Now, mark off where your b>waist measurement is on the same fold. For me, this is 12″ down, so I make a mark on the fold 12″ from the top of the paper.
Now take a ruler, and at your waist mark point, mark a line out as far as your width measurement (now you can see why we divided by 2, as we have the pattern paper folded over!).
Now just mark a straight line from your width marking down to where your length marking is, then across to the fold (to see a diagram of this, just click here).
For the top of the apron, draw a line on the diagonal from your width marking to the top of the pattern paper. The width of the top of the apron is a personal choice. I have mine around 8″, but the fuller your figure, the more generous you should be. Just don’t forget to add on hem allowance for each side, and then divide by 2. So for my apron, my diagonal line hits the top of the pattern paper 4½” from the fold (8″ wide, plus 2 hem allowances of 5/8th” divided by 2).
Materials & Notions
For the waistband and neck, I use cotton webbing, about ¾” wide, and in similar colour to the fabric I am using. This is so much easier and quicker than making your own! For the waist ties, you will need 40″ (cut in two pieces). For the neck, you need 1 piece only (which we will sew into the top hem). Take your tape measure and measure from one side of your chest, round the back of your neck, to the other side of your chest (where the top of the apron will be). For me, this is 20″, so I would buy 22″ (extra for hem allowance).
The fabric for your apron should medium weight, and can be any colour or pattern you choose – check out the remnants table for a real bargain! For me, a yard of fabric will do in almost any width, but if you are not sure, take your pattern or measurements with you to the fabric store – the assistants there will help you get the right amount of fabric.
Making Your Apron
OK, doing all the above will take you more than 15 minutes, but you only have to do all those measurements and making of the pattern once. Now, let’s make our apron!
Lay out your fabric, pin on the pattern, and cut out.
Cut your cotton webbing into the three pieces – one neck piece, and two waist ties.
Sew a hem on one end of each of the two waist ties.
Now, pin up your hem allowance all around the apron. Once that is complete, we need to go back and insert the waist ties and neck piece (to see a diagram of this, just click here).
The waist ties should be inserted into your folded over hem allowance at the point where your waist line starts to go up on the diagonal. With the apron right side down (hem facing you), slip the webbing into the hem allowance, and then fold back over the hem allowance – we want to stitch over the top of the webbing and hem. Make sure you put the webbing in the right way so that your hem at the other end will be facing inwards once the apron hem is sewn!
Now do the same with each end of the neck webbing. The neck ends are attached at the top outer edges of the apron.
Sew. Iron. Done!!
By: Diane E Ellis
About the Author:
Diane Ellis has been sewing since she was very young and got her first sewing machine at 6 years old (albeit a miniature one!). She sews purely for friends and family, and enjoys making her own patterns, and using her skills to decorate her home. She is the co-author of the website www.Sewing4Dummies.com, where, for a limited time, you can sign up for a free 6 part sewing course called Easy Fun Sewing Projects where Diane will show you, step by step, how to make beautiful items for your home or to use as gifts.
Nov
30
Sewing Tips and Techniques
Filed Under Hobbies | Leave a Comment
Sewing Tips and Techniques
Sewing is really considered an art form since the works of talented hands can be made into beautiful pieces of clothing, home decor, beddings and many more. And with today’s penchant to show off creativity via fashion, a renewed interest in sewing is seen.Learning how to sew takes time and effort. It may not be rocket science but a certain learning curve is definitely required. If you start a sewing project without even knowing the basics of sewing, then you are almost certain to fail in your endeavor. To prevent this, it pays to know a few basic sewing techniques.
Sewing Steps for Beginners
The following tips will help you get your feet wet in the world of sewing.
1. Prepare all your materials before anything else. If using a sewing machine, prepare your machine and be sure to thread it properly to avoid any hassles during the actual sewing process.
2. Prepare your pattern and guide. Read the instructions before you try anything. Understanding the pattern and guide is essential prior to cutting the fabric as you cannot re-do the cutting once it’s done.
3. Prepare your fabric by washing and drying it first. You would want to wash your fabrics prior to cutting to ensure that it will not shrink after sewing the entire clothing.You should also dry and iron your fabric. It is much easier to cut fabrics that have been dried and ironed.
4. Securely pin the pieces of your pattern on to the fabric. Cut the fabric with sharp scissors to ensure that the edges are cut evenly.
5. Baste the pieces of pattern using longhand stitches to make it much easier for you to piece together the edges of the fabric. You may use bright coloured thread to baste your pieces together.
6. Sew your pieces on the edges and then remove the basting thread once you are done.
Sewing is a fun hobby to start and once you get the hang of it, you will soon be sewing different patterns from the simplest to the more complex. Just remember to be patient as it takes time to learn the basics of sewing, but you will always have fun while doing it!
By: Eileen Green
About the Author:
Sewing is really considered an art form since the works of talented hands can be made into beautiful pieces of clothing, home decor, beddings and many more. And with today’s penchant to show off creativity via fashion, a renewed interest in sewing is seen.Learning how to sew takes time and effort. It may not be rocket science but a certain learning curve is definitely required. If you start a sewing project without even knowing the basics of sewing, then you are almost certain to fail in your endeavor. To prevent this, it pays to know a few basic sewing techniques.
Sewing Steps for Beginners
The following tips will help you get your feet wet in the world of sewing.
1. Prepare all your materials before anything else. If using a sewing machine, prepare your machine and be sure to thread it properly to avoid any hassles during the actual sewing process.
2. Prepare your pattern and guide. Read the instructions before you try anything. Understanding the pattern and guide is essential prior to cutting the fabric as you cannot re-do the cutting once it’s done.
3. Prepare your fabric by washing and drying it first. You would want to wash your fabrics prior to cutting to ensure that it will not shrink after sewing the entire clothing.You should also dry and iron your fabric. It is much easier to cut fabrics that have been dried and ironed.
4. Securely pin the pieces of your pattern on to the fabric. Cut the fabric with sharp scissors to ensure that the edges are cut evenly.
5. Baste the pieces of pattern using longhand stitches to make it much easier for you to piece together the edges of the fabric. You may use bright coloured thread to baste your pieces together.
6. Sew your pieces on the edges and then remove the basting thread once you are done.
Sewing is a fun hobby to start and once you get the hang of it, you will soon be sewing different patterns from the simplest to the more complex. Just remember to be patient as it takes time to learn the basics of sewing, but you will always have fun while doing it!
By: Eileen Green
About the Author:
The team behind Sew Sew Simple has served the local community as a High Street retail shop, providing an extensive range of Haberdashery and Soft Furnishings for the last 44 years. Sew Sew Simple stock a large assortment of threads, bindings, buttons, haberdashery, and many more sewing products at discount prices.
Oct
19
Basic Sewing Information for Beginners
Filed Under Hobbies | Leave a Comment
Learning a new hobby or craft is exciting. One popular crafting skill is sewing. Sewing can not only be a beneficial skill, it’s just plain fun to learn and do. The word itself can take on several diverse meanings; from hemming a skirt to designing and creating your own wardrobe of clothing. Many people think that sewing must be terribly difficult to master, but honestly, if you can read and thread a needle you can most likely learn to sew. Given the right basic instructions and with enough practice just about anyone can learn to sew.
Now that you’ve decided to learn a bit about the basics of sewing as a hobby, perhaps you’re wondering where to find the right lessons or instructions. One very easy and popular way to learn to sew is by taking a local class at a fabric or sewing machine sales store. Many craft store offer sewing classes from beginner to advanced skill levels. Very often the fees to sign up for the classes are minimal, and you sometimes may receive discounts on merchandise as well.
Another avenue to look into for finding sewing classes may be at your community college where adult continuing education classes are offered. You can meet new friends with similar interests as yourself while learning a new craft.
For most folks, learning to sew and construct useful items for the home is taught to them as children from mothers, grandmothers or other older family members. If you have friends or family who already know how to sew, ask them to show you where to start. They may be willing to give you basic sewing lessons, or be the person you call when you’re stuck on a sewing project and can’t make something work the way it should in the pattern.
With the wonderful online world we live in now days, there’s an abundance of information available on the internet for learning how to sew. A simple search will glean you page after page of links to free and paid online sewing lessons and tutorials. Don’t forget the most obvious sewing resource, books. Your local library most likely has all of the information you need to get you started. Amazon.com too can provide you with new and used reference books on the art of sewing.
When you start to delve into the world of sewing, you’ll notice that there is a specific jargon involved. Most crafts have their own language and sewing is no different. Once you learn what certain words and phrases mean, learning to read patterns and understand the process of sewing will no longer be so overwhelming.
Your first sewing craft project should be an easy, basic one that will take you step by step through the process so that you learn one skill at a time. You may consider making a simple pillow for your couch or bed, or perhaps an easy to sew skirt for yourself or friend. There are also many craft projects that involve sewing that may be fun for you and at the same time allow you to learn new sewing skills.
So often when we learn a new craft we become so excited about the idea of creating that we go out and spend a ton of money on the biggest and best gadgets and machines out there. In the case of sewing, however, that’s just not required. All you really need is a simple sewing machine and basic sewing essentials like patterns, fabric, a measuring tape, scissors, pins etc. Remember, you’re just getting started with sewing, and you may find along the way that it’s just not your cup of tea. And once you really know what you’re doing, you’ll know exactly what you need and don’t need to be a top notch sewing crafter.
No matter how large or small your sewing goals may be, with practice you can learn to sew. Sewing is not a hard skill to take on, so get out there and learn how. Just think of all the wonderful things you can create with your own two hands and some fabric!
By: Sherry Frewerd
About the Author:
Now that you’ve decided to learn a bit about the basics of sewing as a hobby, perhaps you’re wondering where to find the right lessons or instructions. One very easy and popular way to learn to sew is by taking a local class at a fabric or sewing machine sales store. Many craft store offer sewing classes from beginner to advanced skill levels. Very often the fees to sign up for the classes are minimal, and you sometimes may receive discounts on merchandise as well.
Another avenue to look into for finding sewing classes may be at your community college where adult continuing education classes are offered. You can meet new friends with similar interests as yourself while learning a new craft.
For most folks, learning to sew and construct useful items for the home is taught to them as children from mothers, grandmothers or other older family members. If you have friends or family who already know how to sew, ask them to show you where to start. They may be willing to give you basic sewing lessons, or be the person you call when you’re stuck on a sewing project and can’t make something work the way it should in the pattern.
With the wonderful online world we live in now days, there’s an abundance of information available on the internet for learning how to sew. A simple search will glean you page after page of links to free and paid online sewing lessons and tutorials. Don’t forget the most obvious sewing resource, books. Your local library most likely has all of the information you need to get you started. Amazon.com too can provide you with new and used reference books on the art of sewing.
When you start to delve into the world of sewing, you’ll notice that there is a specific jargon involved. Most crafts have their own language and sewing is no different. Once you learn what certain words and phrases mean, learning to read patterns and understand the process of sewing will no longer be so overwhelming.
Your first sewing craft project should be an easy, basic one that will take you step by step through the process so that you learn one skill at a time. You may consider making a simple pillow for your couch or bed, or perhaps an easy to sew skirt for yourself or friend. There are also many craft projects that involve sewing that may be fun for you and at the same time allow you to learn new sewing skills.
So often when we learn a new craft we become so excited about the idea of creating that we go out and spend a ton of money on the biggest and best gadgets and machines out there. In the case of sewing, however, that’s just not required. All you really need is a simple sewing machine and basic sewing essentials like patterns, fabric, a measuring tape, scissors, pins etc. Remember, you’re just getting started with sewing, and you may find along the way that it’s just not your cup of tea. And once you really know what you’re doing, you’ll know exactly what you need and don’t need to be a top notch sewing crafter.
No matter how large or small your sewing goals may be, with practice you can learn to sew. Sewing is not a hard skill to take on, so get out there and learn how. Just think of all the wonderful things you can create with your own two hands and some fabric!
By: Sherry Frewerd
About the Author:
Learn more about crafting and find free patterns for all sorts of craft projects at ‘Free Craft Ideas’ http://freecraftideas.homestead.com . Find all of the free clip art you need for scrapbooking and other craft projects at ‘Free Baby and Kids Clip Art’ http://freebabyandkidsclipart.homestead.com