Comments for Sewing Aprons

Sewing Aprons: 08/05/07

I like to help out with Sean's school when I can and especially when it is with something Sean likes to do. During the summer school months, Sean's class will be learning how to cook. Sean already knows a number of recipes so he's looking forward to learning some new ones at school.

Before class can begin, the school needs a few aprons. Since I have a bunch of fabric via Freecycle I knew I could easily have enough to make some aprons. Also an apron is a pretty simple thing so how hard could making a few possibly be? I also thought it would be a good project for my little sewing machine.

So on Friday I got a few things I needed to make the aprons, including the ribbon to use as the ties and the neck straps. Of course he and I were both out of our mind tired for one reason or another and by the time we got home with the diapers and the sewing stuff, the sewing stuff immediately got misplaced (under a chair in our bedroom).

By Saturday I was frantic trying to find the small bag of sewing stuff because I knew that if I couldn't get the sewing machine up and running (due to my own ignorance) then I would need the time to sew the things by hand. I also had to make a pattern based on a small photo Sithy had given me, find and wash appropriate material (stashed here, there and everywhere in our small home), cut the fabric and then of course size the pattern with Sean as my mannequin.

So without finding my little bag of goodies, I set with what I could accomplish. I started with the pattern. I drew it on an unfolded paper bag (the perfect size for kid's aprons, by the way) and found a variety of fabrics. After finding some floral things and some solid blues, I found some red checked material that was nicely gender neutral and in keeping with the schools colors (although yellow would have been perfect). I gave it a quick wash with color safe bleach to get the smell of being in storage out of the fabric. Once dried I started cutting the fabric.

Then came time to set up the sewing machine. It's a cute little thing and I'm sure very capable. Me, though, I'm not. Even after reading and rereading the instructions three times, I wasn't able to control the machine and ended up breaking my one and only needle. Fortunately though I have lots of practice with just a needle and thread. Since I was pressed for time, I didn't try to get a replacement needle to make the aprons on the sewing machine. I need to go to my local library and get an idiots guide to sewing machines with lots of big pictures before I venture on with mine.

Fortunately preschoolers and kindergartners are small and the aprons when hemmed are only 18 inches by 15 inches. So there just isn't much sewing to do. I quickly fell into a rhythm and had them hemmed last night before bed. Then I was stuck. I would either have to give up and get new ribbon today or find the ribbon.

As I was crawling into bed, having admitted defeat at finding the ribbon, I spotted the bag sitting under our reading chair (my old nursing chair) in our bedroom. Yay! So today after breakfast with Sean's help again, I got the straps and ties sewn on. My initial set of aprons will go to school tomorrow. I will see how the kids like them and make more if the school needs them.

sean | aprons | sewing

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