Non-Quilty Sewing

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Some business first - Please scroll down and skip the red writing UNLESS you are my Mum or my Mother in Law.

To my dear Mum and MIL,

Please do not continue reading.  Use your mouse to move the pointy arrow towards the top right hand corner of your screen.  See the box?  The red box with the white "X" on it?  Please click on it.  Do not continue reading, do not scroll down, or you may spoil your Mother's Day surprise.  Did you click it?  If you are still reading this you've incorrectly followed the instructions, please re-read this paragraph.   

It is not too late to whip up a little crafty goodness for your mother for Mother's Day.  It is not often that I make something other than a quilt.  This is probably because I feel very comfortable with all things quilty, and much less confident sewing anything else.  I have dabbled with aprons before, and admittedly they turned out ok - they were even put to good use.

These two aprons are a little improvised sewing, I have basically been winging it. They are made using two tea towels; and I do like to use good quality decorative tea towels. These are a from a matching set by Marie Claire. 

Both aprons feature a functional patchwork pocket, lined with Quilt-Lite and "backing fabric" because I am used to making quilt sandwiches.  Then sewing the layers together and "bagging" it out.  My bagging skills still need some refining and useful tips would be handy (particularly for the corners).

For the apron ties I have used a cotton tape, readily available and inexpensive.  The tape does run the entire length of the long edge of the apron (plus approximately 18 inches either side), and is covered by a red and white dot fabric.  To cover the tape I cut a strip of fabric the length of the long edge of the apron, and twice the width of the tape plus 1/2 inch for overlap.  

I used a steam iron to help encase fabric around the tape, and then stitched it directly onto the edge of the tea towel.  Not sure of my decorative stitches I used a straight stitch,which my machine knows very well, sewing two lines for effect.

These were seriously fun and quick to make; I made both of these in just one evening.  I mean if I can do this, no doubt you can too, and probably with much better technique.  These aprons make lovely gifts, Mother's Day or otherwise.

 Hey Mum, what time is Mother's Day lunch?  Just testing ...  : )