Week 8 – Project 18
Cottage Apron– designed by Charlot Meyer page 58
Kathy selected three fabrics for her Cottage Apron from Denyse Schmidt Greenfield Hill. The Ramble in Blueberry, Mill Plain in Blueberry and Ladies League in Blueberry
Kathy’s Tips and Thoughts
- The last instruction of Step 4: “With the right sides facing, pin the top and bottom sections together and stitch.” First time through, Kathy sewed the gathered edge to the upper edge ‘right sides together’ which did not work. Assemble with both sides facing up, overlap top edge over bottom edge, and sew in place. The waist ties will cover everything.
- Pink Chalk team member Jacqui taught Kathy to use the 1/4″ presser foot with a flange for perfect garment topstitching. We LOVE this use of a traditional quilting foot!
- The bust darts were a bit narrow for Kathy’s size 12 frame. A quick pattern fitting should be used when making larger sizes.
- Self-made waist ties were substituted for ribbon. This requires an additional 3/8 yard of fabric. Cut four 3″ wide, selvage to selvage strips. Sew right sides together with a 1/2″ seam allowance for 2″ finished waist ties. Cut length after sewing ties to apron and doing a fitting.
Week 8 – Project 19
Picnic-Tastic Lunch Mats– designed by Rebecca Yaker pg 60
Alicia chose Kate Spain Central Park Carousel Yellow
Alicia’s Tips and Thoughts
- The pattern was straightforward and easy for a beginner.
- Alicia used a solid fabric for the pockets – Moda Fabrics Bella Solids in Ochre.
- Fabric was pre-washed which resulted in some shrinkage. Finished placemats ended up a little shorter than the pattern dimensions (10.25″ rather than 11″).
- The small size works well for a small dinner plate or salad plate; a big dinner plate looked oversized.
- The smaller scale placemats fit nicely on a small cafe table (Alicia’s regular size placemats look too big).
Bon Appetit!
How to participate: One Yard Wonders Sew Along Details
Now I have to put this book on my wish list! I had it in my hands in B&N a couple of months ago when I was in the states and put it back. Now I’m sorry. Great choice of fabric for the placemats. Beautiful.
The Apron is stunning! I love the choice of fabric too! I wish I was confident enough to give it a try. I know someone this would be perfect for, her birthday is in May, so perhaps by then… who knows!
I will have to try the 1/4″ foot with a flange. I can think of several uses for it. I appreciate the tips on sizing and sewing the apron. It always helps to have the benefit of experience. Love the placemats. The color is yummy. I don’t have One Yard Wonders (yet), but I suggest pre-shrinking before cutting, as then your finished product will end up the correct size.
oh wow!! Both projects are fantastic. I totally want to make these now. The right fabric just makes it perfect doesn’t it!?
I guess following the directions for sewing top to gathered bottom did not work because too much fabric etc etc…..this tip is quite interesting….very clever especially since it will be covered by the sashing anyway….
you’re right on that point Tina, plus the way the fabric is cut just to the bottom of the dart created a second dart if you will, that was probably obvious before I sewed it but sometimes I have to make the mistake first to recognize it!
I think I am going to have to get me a 1/4″ quilting foot with a flange. I have been debating but I think you have sold me on it. Thank you for sharing about that!
As always, I’m learning a lot about technique to be used beyond these projects. Thanks!
All these tips are so helpful, thanks! Love the picnic lunch mats and the apron.
beautiful apron–although perhaps more fitted than I would like
The placemats are great though–I think they would be a nice addition to a lunch bag!
I wasn’t going to go there on the gathered waistband Kolleen, I do think I prefer less fabric there as well
The fabric chosen for both of these projects looks fantastic! The Central Park print is definitely suited for a picnic!
the apron looks fabulous! the placemats are super cute too!
Loving those placemats and napkins. Since I am in dire need, I am really inspired to jump right on this one.
I’ve been browsing for the perfect apron pattern. I think I found it! I am hoping that it does come in array of sizes,as I’ve found that many aprons with fitted bodices have not fit less petite gals!
It is one size fits all which is why I mentioned the dart placement. If I was to make it again I would need to move them out a bit. I would definitely pin the patttern together and ‘try it on’ first to see where things hit you.
both projects turned out darling! that apron is cute enough to wear out!
You did a beautiful job on that apron and I really like the fabrics you chose. I so need to make several for myself!
Both projects are so cute! The apron looks a bit tricky for me but I would love to try the placemats for some outdoor eating in the summer =). Great gift idea for family members, too.
Those placemats are adorable – even my husband looking over my shoulder said so!
Oh I want this apron. It may even inspire me to sew
xoxo Clarice
Blog hopping is FUN!
They turned out so well!
I loooooove that apron!
Lovely job girls! That is one sexy apron!
I LOVE Central Park and THOUGHT that fabric looked like that line and then I saw it was. They’re beautiful.
Delft like apron deftly assembled
The lines of the apron are so curvaciously retro! Nice fabric choices.
I love that apron. How sweet! That would be nice with My Folklore.
Wow! I really like the use of Greenfield in the apron.
Beautiful!
I would never get a topstitching straight if it wasn’t for using the presser foot as the guide!
I too like that apron! I might cut off teh outer edges a bit to reduce teh gathering over the hips, but overall I think it has a great vintage look to it. I’ve been enjoying your reviews and comments on the projects. The tips about the placemat sizes are so helpful — I didn’t even know I wanted that information until you wrote it, but now I think it’s great to have.
Oh, and I forgot to say that I topstitch all teh time with an “Edge Stitch Foot” (or maybe it’s called Top Stitch Foot foot in English — I can’t remember). Anyway, it’s a foot that has the flange on the side but is also wide enough to allow you to move the needle position in order to stitch closer to, or farther from, the edge — or even use a fancy stitch as a border.
I never usually wear an apron, but now I want this one – just gorgeous! Beautiful projects.
I just looove the tips along witht he finished products! Thanks.
I love that orange fabric – turned out so nice.
Cute vintage look apron!
I’m definitely going to try the new vinyl that is coming out – it is so bright and happy looking. I’m loving it the more I see it. Diana
I love that orange print from Central Park.
Oh yup. That does it. I truly love Central Park. Doesn’t need a fancy patchwork pattern.
Hey, thanks for showing the finished apron–I am growing very fond of Greenfield Hill.
Love this book – I have seen it many times and want to buy it and work through the patterns.
s book in my “Amazon shopping cart”. Would LOVE to win!
wow that apron is fantastic! love all of those fabrics together.
What great fabric!
The apron turned out even lovelier than I expected! Sooo pretty! I also like the place mats, very cute!
I love aprons. I use one every day. Thanks for the tip regarding the 1/4 inch foot for topstitching. That’s a great idea and one I’ll definitely will have to try.
The tips of the skirt to the top is priceless, this has always been a trying issue for me. I never thought of doing that. In fact, I had to read that part a couple times just to get my brain to wrap around it. Amazing how “conditioned” we get. The colors that Jaqui choose were very cool. Thanks!
Now I get how you did that apron- my brain’s not quite working this morning! I love the effect of the waist ties and the gathering.
The pockets are such a clever idea, just stunning!
They look great! I love the tips…so helpful!
The apron is stunning! great work! Thanks for the hints on the ties out of fabric – I have of that than 2″ ribbon
And I love that Central Park fabric – orange – hooray!
That apron reminds me of my grandmother; something about the combination of colours and binding. Love it!