Last week we saw a charming Mother/Daughter Quilt Shop duo wearing cute aprons made from a pack of charm squares. Thinking it might be a nice idea for our Spring Quilt Show I picked up a charm pack and set to making a sample. Our idea is to identify Guild members to the public during the show for questions, directions, etc.
Using a standard chef's apron pattern I cut a base for the charm squares from some dark green poly/cotton yardage I had in the stash.
I sewed the Batik charm squares together in a long row, all 40 of them. Then I folded the base fabric in half, and marked a chalk line 2 1/2 inches to each side of center, then sewed the strip on each side the full length of the apron base. I separated (unsewed) the seams between the charms where necessary to make the strip of charms fit the base apron. From there I added two strips on each side of the center using a stitch and flip method. I turned under the raw edge on each side 1/4 inch, pressed, pinned and stitched it down, close to the edge with a variegated rayon thread to match the squares.
I had two charm squares left over to make a little pocket. I sewed the two charm squares together, put them right sides together with a piece of the base fabric, sewed all around, cut a slit in the base fabric, turned the pocket, stitched the turning slit closed. It is a small pocket, large enough for keys, lip gloss, a few tissues. I made the ties and neckband from left over base fabric.
I off-set the seams in the lay-out to speed up the process...no matching seams.
- Not a bad idea, cost was $12.00 for the Bali Snaps, a Charm pack by Hoffman Fabrics.
- I like the weight of the base fabric and the charms for an apron. Just the charms would have been flimsy.
- I prefer an over-the-head tabard-style apron because I don't care for the weight hanging around my neck, but I will wear this wether we use them at the Guild Show or not.
- PS, I always make my ties extra long to wrap around to the front to tie. No bows in the back for me.
- if I do this again, I will cut the charm squares to a smaller sizes, I was short on time and used them as they were from the package.
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