Domestic Diva Done Right
So you can buy these awesome retro apron kits from JoAnn Fabric. The problem is that the instructions SUCK. I’ve made three now, and here are the instructions as they should be.
1. Cut out printed pieces.
2. Iron the cut out pieces. Fold waist and neck ties in half lengthwise, right sides together; press. Fold pockets in half (some patterns have fold marks) with right sides together; press.
3. Stitch pocket 1/4” from cut edge, leaving a 1” opening on one side for turning. Stitch along long edge and one short edge of ties, leaving one short edge open for turning.
4. Sew flounce A and C to flounce B (some patterns have marks to match). Press seams open.
5. Zigzag or serge bottom edge of neck facing, bottom edge of apron (note that there is a gap between the apron side and the bottom edge - this is where he waist tie will go), and upper edge of flounce to finish.
6. Sew neck facing to apron, right sides together, 1/4” seam allowance.
7. Clip ties, pockets, and shoulder seams of apron/facing for turning, then turn and press all.
8. Topstitch all four ties on all three closed sides, leaving the raw short edges open. Then zigzag or serge the raw short edges to finish.
9. Press apron side edges and outer flounce edge for a hem with 1/4” seam allowance. Note that there is a gap between each side of the apron and the bottom. Don’t press that section.
10. Hem the sides of the apron and simultaneously topstitch the apron facing area by stitching apron from bottom of side edge around shoulders and neck to bottom of other side edge. Hem bottom edge of flounce; 1/4” seam allowance.
11. Sew pockets where you want them (for some patterns the pockets match the pattern underneath so they have specific locations). Make sure to turn in the edges where you left the 1” turning gap so that you it matches the rest of the seam; pressing this part flat before you sew on the pockets will make your apron neater. Sew the pockets on using a seam allowance to match your topstitching.
12. Matching center marks (some patterns don’t have these), stitch flounce to apron, 1/4” seam allowance.
13. Sew neck ties to shoulders using 1/2” seam allowance. Then press the seam up toward the ties and topstich 1/4” from shoulder seam to finish.
14. Place waist ties at remaining raw section of apron - one side of each tie against right side of apron and pin into position. Sew waist ties using 1/4” seam allowance. Then pull the waist tie back as though to tie behind you. This will turn the raw edge in against the apron, wrong sides together. Press down and hem the remaining raw edge on both sides, sewing across the ties.
Tah-dah! And now you have a handy-dandy retro apron to bounce around the kitchen in. Or, if you don’t bounce, to trundle or float or tromp around the kitchen in. :)
Happy stitching!
