Kitty Christmas Apron ~ Tutorial

I can't believe it's been a year and a half since I've blogged!  Life gets crazy... and it doesn't help when it's been so long you've forgotten your sign in.  That's one reason it's been forever.  I'm so glad I figured it out and I'm back!

Today I get to be part of the Meow-y Christmas blog tour that Amanda of Jedicraftgirl is hosting!  With kitties as the theme I've made an apron out of a vintage tablecloth, vintage fabric, and created an embroidery pattern out of a vintage postcard.

Here is what you'll need ~

Ornament kitty embroidery pattern
Embroidery hoop
DMC embroidery floss, red, grey, light grey, green, light aqua
Water soluble marker
16' x 24' cotton print for main apron fabric
Lace, ric rac or pom poms (optional) for trim
10' x 10', white cotton solid for pocket
7' x 17 3/4', cotton print for waistband
Two, 6' x 22' of fabric, cotton print for apron ties
2 1/4' x 7', cotton print for pocket trim

Lets get started!

Save and print the embroidery pattern.  Transfer the embroidery pattern onto the 10' x 10' fabric with a water soluble marker.  You can use a window or a light box.  I created a light box by using a vintage window, lamp and ottoman.

Use a back stitch to embroider the pattern, and then trim the fabric to 7' x 8'.

Take the 2 1/4' x 7 piece and fold in half lengthwise so raw edges meet and press.  Place raw edges on the top of the backside of the embroidery piece and stitch a 1/4 inch seam.

Turn the embroidery over to the front and bring the trim up and over and pin in place.  Stitch close to the edge.  Set the pocket picture aside.

Take your main apron piece and fold the left side in 1/4 inch and press.  Fold it in another 1/4 inch and press.  Repeat with the right side.  Stitch close to the edge on both both sides.

To make the pleats follow these steps ~

1.  Fold the main apron piece in half width-wise.
2.  Pin 1 inch in from the center fold.
3.  Make a "T" shape with your finger by pressing at the center fold into the pin.  Pinch one side of the ‘T’ and bring the edge back to meet it. Pin in place, repeat with the other side of the ‘T’.
4.  To make the second pleat, fold the outside edge of the towel into the center to meet the pleat you’ve just created. Repeat steps 2 and 3.
5.  Repeat with the opposite side of the towel. Now you have 3 pleats evenly spaced.

Baste the pleats in place by stitching a 1/8th seam along the top raw edge.

Take your pocket piece and fold the two side edges in a 1/4 inch and press.  Fold the bottom edge up a 1/4 inch and press.  Pin the pocket piece to the apron front and then stitch around the sides and bottom.

To make the apron ties follow these steps~

1.  Fold one of the short ends in a 1/4 inch and press.
2.  Fold the strip length-wise so raw edges match and press.
3.  Open the strip and then press the top edge down to the fold line and the bottom edge up to the fold line.
4.  Press the strip up so the edges match and press.
5.  Repeat to make your second apron tie.

Repeat steps 1-4 to make your waist band.  The only thing you do different is step one.  With the waistband you fold both of the short ends in a 1/2 inch instead of just one of the ends a 1/4 inch.

Stitch around the apron ties as close to the edge as you can.

Place the top of the apron inside the waistband piece and pin in place.

Remove the two pins on the ends of the waistband.  Take the apron ties and place the raw edge end inside about a 1/2 inch into the waistband and pin in place.

Stitch around the sides and bottom of the waistband to complete the apron.  If you would like you can add some trim to the bottom of the apron as a special touch.

I hope you enjoyed the tutorial!  Thanks so much for stopping by!  

Happy Holidays and I hope you have a Meow-y Christmas!!

Hugs,