Coral Chic Apron

Here is a cute little apron that takes hardly any time at all, but it is still really cute!! I got these three fabrics at JoAnn - floral, polka dot and chevron. I picked them up the instant I saw them because they are such beautiful colors!! I used the floral fabric for the waistband and tails, and the other two went together to make the body. This would be lovely in any color, but I just thought coral was so beautiful. I hope you enjoy the tutorial! 

You will need: 1/2 yd each of three different coordinating fabrics. (1-1/2 yds. total)
1. To begin, cut out the pieces as follows:
(tails) 2 pieces: 4" x 39 1/2"
(waistband) 1 piece: 6" x 24"
(body) 2 pieces - 9" x 32" each
(body) 1 piece - 18" x 32"

~Iron under one long edge of the waistband 3/8."

2. Serge or sew together the three apron body pieces. Turn the hem over twice (by ironing) on the sides and bottom, and sew the hem. Baste the top edge of the apron body at 3/8" and 4/8." Mark the half-way point of the apron body and waistband.

3. Gather the top edge of the apron body by pulling on the front or back basting stitches. Match up the half-way points and pin the pieces with right sides together, leaving 5/8" of the waistband on either end as shown in the picture below.

4. Sew the two pinned pieces together at 5/8." 

5. Fold a tail piece in half with right sides together, and sew it at 5/8", leaving one end open. I like to reinforce the corner of the tail, so I usually start sewing, turn the corner and sew about an inch, go back to the beginning, and then turn around again and continue sewing. This will ensure that your corner doesn't come apart, and you won't have to tie the ends! Trim corners and seams. Repeat with the other tail piece.

6. Turn the tail piece right side out, push out the corners and iron it flat. 

7. Lay the tail piece on the right side of the waistband with the short edges even.  

8. Fold the waistband over, lining up the ironed-over edge with the seam of the waistband underneath. Make sure that the tail is tight up against the folded over edge of the waistband. Pin.

9. Sew the seam even with the edge of the apron body as shown. Tie ends. 

10. Turn the waistband right side out. Whipstitch the open edge on the back side of the apron to close the seam. Tie ends. You are done!!!

20 Minute Baby Skirt

 I made this darling little skirt with scraps from an apron that I made (the tutorial for that will be up here in a couple days, by the way ~ and I've got to tell you, it's a real good-un!) This would be very cute in pretty much any color or fabric, and you don't even have to do it in 4 pieces - it can be all one color! It is very easy and quick, which means you can make more than one. Have fun! Let me know how it goes for you :)

You will need:
-4 pieces of fabric (or enough pieces to equal approximately 34")
I used the following pieces:
-2 pieces (polka dot) 8 5/8" x 10"
-1 piece (floral) 7 1/4" x 10"
-1 piece (chevron) 9 5/8" x 10"
-1/2 yd (give or take a little) of 3/8" elastic

Here's the fabrics I used:

1. To begin, serge (or sew) together the long edges of the pieces, creating a long strip.

 2. Next, serge (or if you don't have a serger, turn under) the top (waistband) edge of the fabric strip as shown in the picture.

 3. Serge (or sew) together the two open edges to create a circle.

 4. Turn under (press with the iron) 1/4" on the hem edge of the skirt.

 5. Turn edge under again, this time about 3/8".

6. Turn under the top (waistband) edge about 5/8". (almost 3/4")

 7. Sew the hem very close to the edge (1/16").

8. Sew down the waistband edge about 1/8" away from the lower edge as shown in the picture, leaving about a 2 inch gap for the elastic to go in.

9. Put in the elastic. I made the waist about 17". Sew the elastic together, tuck it in, and then sew the gap closed.  Tie ends and thread them inside. You're done!!! Here's a couple views of the finished product. It looks good either way!

Finished Measurements ~ 17" waist and 8" length.
Thanks for visiting!! Feel free to explore the rest of my blog - there is lots to be had on here! 

Come back again ~ I am always up to something! 

~Dolly~