DIY Network

Country Kitchen Here's a bevy of country crafts that would make Grandma proud! From "Creative Juice" episode DCRJ-612

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Vintage-Style Apron

Combine vintage style with modern flair to create an awesome apron that’s right at home in any kitchen.

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Vintage-Style Apron

Materials:

old bib-style apron to use as a template
fabric (amount determined by the size of the old apron)
rickrack trim
ribbon
thread
tape measure
pins
fabric marker
scissors
sewing machine
sewing ruler

1. Measure the top edge of an old apron and place a pin at the center point (figure A). Do the same with the bottom edge of the apron.

2. Fold the fabric in half with right sides together so the fold runs parallel to the selvage edges.

3. Lay the apron on top of the fabric, keeping the pins lined up with the fold in the fabric. Trace around the apron with a fabric marker; use a sewing ruler to add 1/2" around the fabric for seam allowance (figure B). Cut along the tracing line, making sure to cut through both layers of folded fabric (the front of the new apron) (figure C). Use this piece of fabric as a template to cut an identical piece of fabric; this piece will be the lining.

Note: If you use different fabrics for the front and the lining, the apron will be reversible.

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

4. Using a sewing ruler as a guide, lay a piece of rickrack across the top of the front piece, 3" down from the top edge. Pin the rickrack down and sew in place with a straight stitch that runs down the middle of the rickrack (figure D). Remove the pins.

5. Measure the neck strap of the old apron. Cut a piece of ribbon to match the measurement, plus 1". Sew a piece of rickrack down the middle of the ribbon. Pin the ends of the ribbon to the top edge of the front piece, going in 1/2" on each side. The ends of the ribbon should be flush with the top edge of the fabric so the ribbon curves downward toward the center of the fabric (figure E). Pin the center of the ribbon to the fabric to prevent accidentally sewing through it while stitching the two pieces of fabric together.

Figure D

Figure E

6. Cut a long length of ribbon in half. These two pieces will become the waist ties. Clip one end of each piece on the diagonal, to prevent fraying. Pin each of the ties to the waist section of the fabric, keeping the cut ends of the ribbon flush with the edge of the fabric.

7. Pin the ribbons down to the fabric, as you did with the neck strap, to prevent sewing through them when piecing the top and the lining fabric together.

8. Pin the two pieces of fabric together, right sides facing each other. Sew the pieces together with a 1/2" seam allowance. Leave approximately 6"-8" open at the bottom (figure F). Remove the pins and clip any curves (figure G).

9. Use the gap at the bottom to turn the apron right side out. Remove the pins from the neck strap and the waist ties.

10. Finger-press and pin the opening at the bottom of the apron closed. Finger-press and pin along the perimeter of the apron so the seam lies flat. Topstitch along the perimeter of the apron using the edge of the machine's presser foot as a fabric guide (figure H). Remove the pins.

Figure F

Figure G

Figure H

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