Guess what?? I finally finished the apron I’ve been meaning to make for ages!
Garment Data:
– Type: 1860s-style apron
– Date made: spring 2014
– Pattern: Elizabeth Stewart Clark’s apron pattern
– Fabric/Materials: blue plaid 100% cotton “homespun” from JoAnn’s – so, nothing fancy, and it has a “dishrag” soft texture
– Trim: none
– Time to finish: a few days of on-and-off work
This apron has only 1 machine-sewn seam. I did the rest by hand. This allowed me to do it as a portable project.
I also left the sides unhemmed, since they are the selvages.
The bottom hem. This is the only machine-seam I did – when I thought I’d have enough time to just sit down and whip the thing together! Turns out I had better luck (and, most assuredly, a better result) by doing it as handwork on the go.
A close-up of the machine hem. Hard to see, because I was being my usual self with plaids/stripes and was matching them! Actually, the machine-sewn hem is the least-accurately plaid-matched seam. You’ll actually find plaid-matching through-out this piece, which means that even the pockets are fairly stealth!
The stealth pockets, pinned in place, for location (i.e., lining up the stripes). I then actually hemmed the pockets separately and then stitched them onto the front of the apron.
Since this was an apron I really wanted to wear soon, I actually end up wearing the apron at the Memorial Day reenactment in Painesville, and pinning and sewing the pockets while wearing it!
The pinner, pre-attachement. I attached it so I can easily fold it down behind the apron and wear it as though there is no pinner. Versatility! And yes, when I wear the apron, the pinner (the bib part of the apron) is actually pinned up to my dress, instead of having a loop around my neck or some-such.
A close-up of the pleated apron encased in the waistband. Note the second row of stabilizing stitching, so the pleating remains crisp and visible in what is otherwise a very floppy fabric (but great for wiping hands on).
… And below, the apron in action, with the pinner (bib) pinned up, and the pockets sewn on! It’s very long, so it protects my dress well, and I really like how it turned out!
Things to change next time I make this pattern: maybe try a crisp cotton, or make it (just very very slightly) shorter. And make the ties way longer!! There is a short little bow in the back but long ties would be much easier. Let’s be honest: I just want an excuse to have another apron or three in other prints!
(This picture taken at Fort Meigs in Perrysburg, Ohio.)
Most sincerely yours,
~ Sarah