Summer Apron with Berry Embroidery

The designs used for these charming aprons are from the Berry Set. The aprons look very decorative and are easy to make.

For the two aprons, we used 1 yard of 60" wide fabric - Mary Engelbreit for VIP by Cranston ME Ink 2010. If you use fabric of regular width, 40"-44", you will need 1 yard for one apron. You will also need about 1/2 yard of solid fabric of matching color for the embroidered bib and pocket.

Cutting:

Out of the patterened fabric, cut

• a rectangle measuring 24" x 36",
• 2 strips measuring 3" x 36" (for the waist band and ties).

If your fabric permits, you can also cut a square measuring 11" x 11" - the bib's lining.

On the solid fabric mark:

• the pocket - a square measuring 10" x 10",
• the bib - a square measuring 11" x 11".

DO not cut the squares out yet, as they will be hard to hoop if you do.

Embroidery:

Stabilize the fabric with light-weight cut-away stabilizer and make the embroidery of the designs from the Berry Set.

Trim the pieces with embroidery to 10" x 10" (pocket) and 11" x 11" (bib) squares.

The Pocket

Fold all the edges of the pocket square 1/2" back and press. Fold the upper edge back another 1". Press.
Top stitch 3/4" from the upper edge.

Sewing the Bib.

First you will need to make the ties. Fold the 2 1/2" x 30" strips in half lengthwise, face inwards. Stitch 1/4" from the raw edge.

Turn the strips right side out. Press.

Tuck in about 1/4" - 1/2" of the fabric on one end of each strip. Press. Topstitch. The ties are ready.

On your working table, place the embroidered square face up. Position the ties over the square, so that the unfinished ends of the ties are aligned with the upper edge of the square, in its corners. Angle the ties slightly, so that they do not overlap the sides of the square, as you will be stitching through that area.

Place the lining of the bib, face down, on the embroidered part. Align and pin the edges.
Machine-stitch along the side and upper edges. Leave the lower end open.

Turn right side out. Press. Machine stitch along the edges - 1/8" - 1/4" from the edge.

Finish the lower edge with zig-zag.

Sewing the Apron:

Finish the hem of the apron - one of the long edges of the 24" x 36" rectangle.

Baste 1/4" from the edge of the other long side. Pull the ends of the thread to make light ruffles.

Sew the 3" x 36" strips together into one long waist band.

Position the waist band, face down, over the ruffled edge of the apron's skirt. Align the center of the band (the seam) with the center of the apron. Align the edges and pin.

Stitch the band to the skirt.

Unfold the band and press, so that the seam is on the side of the band.

Fold the raw edges of the band 1/4" back and press.

Now fold the waist band in half lengthwise and press.

Align and pin the edges. Machine stitch.

Position the bib over the waist band. Align the centers and edges. Pin in place.

Machine-stitch twice. First stitch the bib 1/8"-1/4" from the edge on the wrong side of the apron. Then turn the apron right side to you and stitch the bib 1/8" - 1/4" from the upper edge of the waist band.

Put on the apron and determine a convenient position for the pocket. Pin it in place. Topstitch.

The aprons are ready. Enjoy!

Happy Stitching!

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