5 ruffle anniversary apron free tutorial

This is the apron we are making. Isn't it adorable. I don't know how practical it is, but that is really not the point of aprons nowadays. It would make a great gift (bridal shower, housewarming, because your a great friend, etc.) and can be made in about 1 hour. This tutorial is free. You are welcome to make these, sale these, email it, or link this to other sites, etc. Please leave feedback if you need clarifications. Thanks & enjoy!

Choose 4 fabrics that coordinate (or not)...

You will need:

1 yard 45" wide of main fabric (green) - the body, neck strap, and ties

1/3 yard of coordinating #1 (flower/paisley print) - top ruffle and smaller top ruffle
1/3 yard of coordinating #2 (blue/green swooshes) - bottom ruffle and smaller ruffle

1/4 yard of coordinating fabric #3 (polka dots) - middle ruffle and cover tape

Step #1: Cut out the main body, neck strap, & ties.

Neck strap: Cut 2 - measures 23 1/2 x 2 inches wide (or cut 1 at 4 inches wide and fold in half)

Waist ties: Cut 4 - measures 36 x 3 inches wide (or cut 2 at 6 inches wide & fold in half)

The main body is a basic apron shape. Click here for a free pdf pattern. The one in the pdf is actually larger then the one I used (you might need more fabric if your using it). The apron pictured measures 24 1/2 inches long by 12 1/2 inches wide at the top and 26 inches wide at the waist (these are finished measurements - you might want to add 1/2 inch for seam allowances).

Step #2: Cut out coordinating fabric #1 - top ruffle & smaller ruffle

a. larger ruffle - measures 44 x 8 (or 22 inches cut on the fold)

b. smaller ruffle - measures 22 x 2 1/2 (or 11 inches cut on the fold)

Step #3: Cut out coordinating fabric #2 - bottom ruffle & smaller ruffle

(use same measurements as above)

Step #4: Cut coordinating fabric #3

a. larger ruffle - measures 44 x 8 (or 22 inches cut on the fold) - same as the other large ruffles.

b. cover tape - measures 12 1/2 x 2 inches (this cover tape is optional)

Step #5: Fold the neck tie with right sides facing each other. Pin in place, iron flat.

Step #6: Zigzag, sew, or serge the edge(s).

Step #7: Turn the fabric right side out.

Step #8: Iron the strap flat.

Step #9: Turn in the end of strap.

Step #10: Sew it closed.

Step #11: Top stitch down both sides. Repeat steps #5 through #11 for the waist ties.

Step #12: Zigzag or serge the edges of the main body. Turn in edge, iron, turn in again (so you can't see the rough edge), iron flat.

Step #13: Sew the ironed flat edges.

(This is what it will look like)

Step #14: Attach the neck tie at the top of the apron.

(This is what it will look like)

Step #15: Attach the waist ties at the sides of the apron.

(This is what the apron should look like at this point)

Step #16: Zigzag or serge all edges of the smaller ruffles.

Step #17: Zigzag or serge all edges of the larger ruffles.

Step #18: Turn in zigzag or serged sides and bottom edges, iron, and sew flat. The top edge is optional for the bottom 2 ruffles (since the top edge does not show). It should be finished for the top larger ruffle. Repeat this step for the smaller ruffles.

(Optional Step): This is how to make cover tape. It is similar to bias tape - except it is not on the bias (45' angle) of the fabric. Take a 12 1/2 x 2 inch wide strip, fold in half, iron.

(Optional Step): Fold the sides again toward the middle and iron flat, refold and iron. The 2 inch piece should now be 12 1/2 x 1/2 inch wide.

(This is what the cover tape should look like).

Step 19#: Sew 2 rows of gather stitch at the top of the ruffle, then gather the smaller top ruffle from 22 inches to 12 1/2. Repeat this step for the other smaller ruffle.

(Optional Step): Insert the smaller top ruffle into the cover tape, pin.

(Optional Step): Sew the cover tape to the ruffle.

Step #20: Attach the top ruffle to the top of the apron.

(Optional Step): Top stitch the cover tape.

Step #21: Below the top ruffle (about 1 inch), pin your second smaller ruffle. Sew in place.

(This is what it will look like)

(This is what the apron should look like at this point)

Step #22: Gather the other 3 larger ruffles using a gethering stitch. Ruffles should be gathered from 44 inches to about 26 inches.

Step #23: Place your larger bottom ruffle at the bottom of your apron, pin, and sew. It will be about 1/2 an inch (or less) from the edge.

Step #24: Place your larger top ruffle at the waist of your apron (right beneath the ties), pin in place, and sew.

(This is what it will look like)

(This is how the larger top & bottom ruffles will look when both in place & sewn on)

Step #25: There will be about a 10 inch gap between the larger top & bottom ruffles. At about 4 1/2 to 5 inches from the top ruffle - place your middle ruffle, pin in place.

Step #26: Sew your middle ruffle in place.

And that's it! This is what your completed adult sized apron will look like on an obliging 6 year old and on my size 10/12 mannequin.

Help!

I've got two projects on my list that are currently baffling me. I thought I'd ask you all if you have any ideas or suggestions.

1)Blessing Dress

My MIL offered to make Brooke's dress, which I think would be awesome and sentimental. Any ideas where I can find a good pattern? The websites I've looked at online don't show details very clearly so it's hard to know what I'm buying. I'd like something classic/vintage looking.

2)Christmas Stockings

Another request from the hubby. (He's becoming awfully vocal about my sewing projects...:) Have any of you tackled your own stockings yet? My mother has, but I'm not a fan of her pattern/style.

If you've got any ideas, patterns, info, or inspiration...send it my way!

SSC Birthday Party

It's the Secret Stitch Club's first birthday! Let's celebrate!


Who: Anyone who does enjoy, has enjoyed, or has yet to enjoy the beauty of the club.


When: Thursday, August 28th 6:00pm & 7:30pm


Where: We will meet at Hobby Lobby (Greenfield/US 60) at 6:00pm to choose fabric for our apron swap, if you choose to participate in that. If you don't want to do the apron swap then you can just come to check out the store. It's pretty cool. Then we will meet at Cafe Rio (Gilbert/Baseline) at 7:30pm for some dinner. If you don't want to go to Hobby Lobby, just meet us at Cafe Rio at 7:30!


Note: If you want to carpool over to Hobby Lobby meet at Maren's house at 5:30pm.Apron


Swap Details:


* If you choose to participate, the apron will need to be completed by Thursday, Oct. 2nd. That gives us over a full month to sew up an apron.


* The way the swap works is that we'll choose our favorite fabric and sew an apron. Then we will draw names on Oct. 2nd and the name you draw will get your fabulous apron!


* We'd love for you out-of-state SSC members to participate in the swap as well...if you'd like. Just let Christie or Maren know and on Oct. 2nd we'll put your name in the drawing and draw for you and let you know who your apron goes to and whose apron you get!

Odds and Ends

WARNING: Picture Overload!

So last weekend I decided that before I started any new projects, I needed to finish the old ones. Starting with this banner. Jill inspired me to make one last summer (maybe even spring). It has been 90% finished for over a year, and it took me less that an hour to pin it to some quilting bias tape and complete the job. Why do I do this to myself? Anyway, I LOVE it, and have been displaying it for Trent's impending graduation. (Though I think I would have put it up with no valid reason at all.) Thanks again Jill for the fabric scraps and the great idea! I had a second one already cut out and ready to go, so I finished it as well. Not sure who the future owner will be yet. It's a little different from mine, but not by much.
I added some ric-rac to the second one just for kicks.
Another inspiring idea from Jill - burp rags. I found the ribbon at the dollar spot at Target, which makes it very cost effective for gifts. However, I think it gets a little tedious and my favorite one ended up being the simple ribbon on the upper left. I think I'll get a fat quarter and monogram a letter in the middle column. Maybe.
I finished piecing Trent's quilt top together. It's not an exciting pattern, but the quilt is for picnics and outdoorsy events, so I didn't care to be fancy. I laid it out and Trent thinks he wants it even bigger, so I'll be heading to DI to pick up some more jeans and get back to work. I can't wait to send it to the quilter who will put it in her fancy shmancy machine and make it look amazing.
AND MY PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT OF THE WEEK...
For very silly reasons, I am so excited about this apron:
1) I'm being selfish and keeping it for myself!
2) I made my own bias tape to finish the neck all by myself. I'm such a big girl!
(The last Emmaline I made, I invented some random neck deal that was a pain.)
2) I sewed with striped fabric for the first time and it turned out!

Now that I'm done boasting, here are some pictures. Either my modeling or Trent's photography needs some severe improvements...it's so much cuter than this pictures shows.
Cute paisley on this side...
Fabulous stripes on this side! I was so excited to wear this, and know I was keeping it, that I even tried a new cinnamon roll recipe. (They turned out ok, but with enough frosting, anything tastes good.)

I promise to try to post as I finish things instead of bombarding you all every so often. Thanks for all the inspiration and motivation to keep learning...you guys are the best!