What’s Black and White and Red All Over…

…The Sweetheart Chic Apron!

I am continuing the process of remaking my aprons for my Etsy store cover pages.  In doing this, I am also examining how I go about choosing the fabrics.

For this apron, I was immediately attracted to the fabric’s pattern.  It’s bold, it’s graphic, and it’s modern.  What’s not to love!

Since bold patterns always work with aprons, I knew that this would be a no-brainer.
 

However, I toyed with the idea of going with a mustard yellow instead of the red on the accents.  I chose the red because it has greater appeal and I had the fabric in my stash.  Again, no-brainer.

 

Sometimes, fabric choice comes down to what you love or what you have on hand.  For this project, it was both.

I did struggle with choosing which pattern to remake in this fabric.  I almost went with the Halter Chic Apron Pattern, but I have something else in mind for that one.
 

Choosing Fabric for an Apron II

I am in the process of redoing my Etsy store in order to give it a more consistent look.

Also, my photography skills and equipment are both much better, which can't hurt.



In doing this I must remake some of my apron patterns. 

This, of course, causes me to have to look for fabrics {what a tragedy} and make quick fabric decisions.

For this entire project I am wanting my fabrics to be a bit more modern and a bit less whimsical.  I think doing this will give my shop a consistent look.



For all of my aprons, I use 100% cotton in a quilting weight.

Translated: The cotton is a little bit stiffer and a light-to-medium weight, making it perfect for an apron. If you are new to sewing and unfamiliar with quilting weight cotton, visit a quilt shop and feel the fabric.
 
Another HUGE benefit for using quilting weight cotton is the enormous variety of available fabric choices.  Cupcakes, skulls, animals, kitchen gadgets, holiday themes - you name it – anything you could possibly want.

Here’s a sampling:



So, how do you begin to choose a fabric for an apron project with so many choices?

I think the easiest thing to do is have either a color or theme in mind.  Christmas and Halloween would be good examples of holiday themes.

I had a color in mind – orange.  When I found the fabric for this apron I knew I wanted something that was modern and had orangish tones.  This fabric met both needs.
For the yoke and collar I was looking for something that would keep the apron from looking whimsical.

I actually had a different design in mind, but when I found this geometric fabric, I knew it would work with the the large floral.

 
I also knew I wanted the fabric to have a large design.  The Retro Chic Apron Pattern has a large panel which is ideally suited for big designs.

I don’t always get it right.  I forgot to consider the mannequin that I use in my pictures.  It’s black – and there is a lot of black in this apron.

 
I had to use this slip-on sleeve I made in order to get the apron to stand out.  It works for now, but I will probably remake the apron in a different fabric.

Translated:  I will have to go fabric shopping, again.

Chocolate is the Answer

Today, I'm creating a tutorial that I hope to post later this week.  While I'm working away in my studio, I thought I'd share this fun quotable I found on Etsy.

I think this statement pretty well sums it all up.

Renegades and Etsy

Weekend before last Kitty and I zipped downtown to the Palmer Events Center here in ATX to check out the Renegade Craft Fair.  Like Etsy coming to a convention center.

As an Etsy seller I felt it was my duty to visit with my fellow craft-a-holics.  Which I did.  I even met a few that I stalk admire.

The absolute first artist I met was Molly McGrath from molly m designs.  I am soooooo in love with these laser cut designs, especially the one I’ve circled. I could’ve stopped here and not gone on.

 

If you stalk Etsy like I do, you will see lots of laser cut things, but Molly’s stand head-and-shoulders above the crowd.  Visit her site and you will see what I’m talking about.

 Little Red Thimble stole my heart with these adorable owls nesting in muffin tins.

 

 And these adorable bow ties.  You know I have a bit of an obsession with bow ties.  All vintagey and cute.

The “stole my heart” award goes to Joelle Medici from Mr. Sogs.  I wanted to get the Oddvark and Platypus for my grand-loves, but Kitty (who has to clean up after them) discouraged me adding to the boy’s never ending stream of grandmother love.


Kitty gets the “crazy stalker award” for practically buying the necklace off the neck of Oh Hello Friend, Danni.  I admit, I’m a bit of a Danni stalker, too.  Her taste and style are unique.  And I love her blog.  Ok, so I’m the real stalker.
 


I still regret not buying that letter stamping set. There were so many goodies, I got overwhelmed.
  

I got a chance to visit with Danielle from Merriweather Council.  I have long loved her Etsy shop and it was great to meet her and tell her I am a huge fan.  She does ALL of the design and stitching – can you imagine.

Speaking of adorable stitched goodery, Hello Lets Be Friends marched their adorable Hipster Bear Parade into Austin.  I have a thing for moustached bears.

I met the lovely Helen from Cloth and Ink, another Etsy seller.  She designs and hand screen prints all of her designs onto lampshades and pillows. And she only works with organic fabrics.  LOVE it!

 All in all, an afternoon well spent among like-minded crafters.  While there were a few Austin sellers, most were from places like Portland, Boston, and San Francisco.

Hat’s off to them.  Think about it, first they crafted these items by hand, schlepped them halfway across the country and then set up shop in a convention center for two days.

You have to really love your craft to do all of that.

And it showed.

Choosing Fabric for An Apron

It’s safe to say that I have spent a lot of time matching fabrics to aprons.
 
Today, I want to talk about how I go about putting two fabrics together to create an apron that I will love.
 
For aprons, I ALWAYS use a 100% cotton in a quilting weight from a quality fabric manufacturer.  A few examples would be Michael Miller, Windham, and Moda.
 
I have been wanting to remake a few of my aprons in current fabrics and redoing all of my pattern’s cover pages. Starting with my Urban Chic Apron Pattern, I’ll show you how I chose the fabrics for this project.

The process begins with me being drawn to a particular fabric.   It may be the color or design.  In this case, I love both.  The combination of yellow and gray still excites me, so the colors are perfect.  I am also drawn to the modern design in the print and the fact that it is a stripe.

Another thing to consider is the size of the design.  Since I want a large print for the apron skirt, this fabric works perfectly.
   
Decision made; I’m going with this fabric from the Echo Collection by Windham Fabrics.  Besides, I'm a huge fan of the designer, Lotta Jansdotter.
 
 
The next step is choosing a companion fabric.  Since this fabric is part of a collection I will want to see what fabrics are available and start there.

From the same line, I tried this smaller gray and white print.  I’m not really in love with it because it looks like chicken feet, but it would definitely work.  However, I’m going to keep looking.



My second try was another fabric from this line, but this time I used a different design that will pull out the yellow in the fabric.

Technically, this fabric works.  The print is smaller than the one that will be used in the skirt and the colors go together well.  Also, I love the dandelion since that is my logo.

When I put them together they just don’t work for me.  The skirt fabric has a lot of white and so does the dandelion fabric.  If I used this in an apron it would be too bland.  Since I want my apron to be on my pattern’s cover page, I’m thinking bland won’t work for me.
   

Third try.  Again, I went with something from the fabric line, but this time I went with a  large print on an orangey background.  I love the orange print, but not with the gray and yellow.  If these were pillows in my living room it might work, but not for an apron.

I will use the orange fabric elsewhere since I really like it.


Fourth try’s the charm.  The minute I put these two fabrics together, I knew that I would like them in an apron.  The gray and white print is a smaller version of the skirt print.  The gray is a little more saturated color so it will stand out some.  Also, I like that it is a stripe.
 
With the Urban Chic Apron Pattern I need a fabric for the bodice top and also for the hem band.  This fabric gives me the option of running the stripe in a different direction at the hem.
 

Notice how I ran the bodice and pocket band in the same direction, but the hem band and the pocket are running in different directions.  This is why I like the striped nature of this design.  I gives me options with the pattern.

Matching fabrics with patterns really is easier than you think.

An Ambitious Undertaking

A few weeks back I received an email from Deb, one of my Etsy customers.  She had purchased the Tutu Tote Tutorial and in her email mentioned something about making Tutu Totes for ALL of the children in her daughter's dance class.

Such a generous idea.  Especially for someone who also mentioned that she is 'brand new to sewing."   I, who am not new to sewing, would not attempt to make these bags for everyone in a dance class.

Nevertheless, I didn't want to squish Deb's dreams so I made a few suggestions which she took to heart and plowed through.

Later, we shared more correspondence mentioning replacing the grosgrain ribbon in the pattern with sequin trim.  Since I believe using things with sequins is similar to wrestling a greased alligator, I pretty much steer clear of them.  Still, I didn't want to crush Deb's dream, so I suggested she try using invisible thread  to attach the trim.

Isn't it amazing what you can accomplish when someone believes in you.  Look at all of those bags.  AND, there's even one for the (likely) only boy in the dance class.

So, let's recap.  Deb, who is a sewing newbie, bought a tutorial from moi, resized it, added a difficult trim, and then reproduced it 21 times.  She even included her daughter in the process.     

Congratulations, Deb on a project well done.  I think you are now ready to move onto apron patterns!

Mother's Day Give Away - Day Two

And the winner is Melody who said she liked the Urban Chic Apron Pattern.  

Please contact me with your email address and I will send you your pattern asap! 
 
To enter the contest today you will need to visit my Etsy shop, Sugar Pie Chic, and leave a comment telling me what your favorite pattern or tutorial is in my shop.  If your name is chosen, then you get your favorite item.

Want a second chance to win, subscribe to my blog and then leave a comment saying you have done so. If you are already a subscriber, leave a comment telling me this.

But wait, you have a third chance to enter.  Visit my updated Facebook page and "Like" me.  Come back and leave a comment saying you have done this.


Good luck,

MOTHER'S DAY GIVEAWAY

Maybe you’ve noticed, but Mother’s Day is almost two week’s away.
 
To help you along with this, next week from Monday through Friday I will be giving away things from my Etsy store.

So, check back daily beginning April 30th – May 4th.

Tutu Tote Trio by Sugar Pie Chic

You may or may not know this, but a few of my patterns are now available at www.youcanmakethis.com. This has been great for more exposure plus the patterns are available as an instant download. Perfect for those of you who don't want to wait for me to manually send them (via Etsy).


Recently, YCMT contacted me about sending them the actual bags for a video they were producing. They send these out in weekly emails. Very cool.

Pattern Instant Downloads

 
HALLELUJAH! You can now get Sugar Pie Chic patterns and tutorials via instant download.  No more waiting for me to send them.  Sorry Etsy, but others have made this possible...I gotta keep up with new technology. 

I'm now live at:  www.youcanmakethis.com  On the left column, look for "Shop by Author" and scroll down to Sugar Pie Chic.  There you will find a few aprons and one of my Tutu Tote Bags.  More to come soon...it's rather laborious to get things into their system...

If you prefer, I'm also on Craftsy under their new "Patterns" section.  Right now, I only have four aprons, but I will be adding more soon.  For access, go to www.craftsy.com and click on (beta) "Patterns" across the top.  In the "Find a Pattern" search box, type in Sugar Pie Chic and my patterns should come up.  Also, I have a new Tutu Tote Trio Workshop in the works with Craftsy.  Look for this, soon.  It's an interactive workshop where you can ask (and have answered by moi!) questions at each step.  Perfect for beginners.

In the meantime,  the revised Tutu Tote Tutorial now includes three versions in one pattern.  Included are instructions on how to make a Tutu Bag using tulle rolls.  This is in the works on Craftsy as an interactive Workshop, but I will soon have it live in my Etsy store. 

Is It Spring Yet?

This year we have had the most perfect Texas winter.   Lots of short sleeves and jeans...cool in the morning...warm during the day and enough rain to count for something.  You'd think I'd spend more time in my garden...oh well.  Despite my chronic neglect, a few things are starting to act like it is Spring.  Case and point...this sweet little rose that I spotted...signaling to me that my garden is ready to awaken from a very short nap....

Sounds like there is compost and manure in my future!

{FREE} Clothespin Apron Pattern

I've been thinking...which can be dangerous...but not this time.  There may be one or two of you who are pondering the thought of purchasing one of my apron patterns...maybe you are hesitant for any number of reasons.  OR you wish you could do a trial run before purchasing.  OR you just want a cute new apron.  Well, worry no more, I'm setting you up with this traditional Clothespin Apron Tutorial.

Here's what ya' need...

Supplies {Can't sew without 'em}

1/2 yard for the Skirt
3/4 yard for the Pocket, Waistband, and Ties
1 Package Wright's 1/2" Bias Tape
1 Package Wright's Jumbo Rickrack {optional}
Thread in coordinating color

I'm going to assume you have a sewing machine, scissors, pins, an iron, and an ironing board.  

STEP 1:  Go to this Media Fire link:  Right click on each pattern piece, select download.  Print out the 8 pages of pattern tiles.  Match up the 'A's, 'B's, etc. until you have something that looks like this.

STEP 2:  Trim the pattern pieces and layout the Skirt and Pocket on fold of fabric.

 STEP 3:   From the same fabric cut 1 strip of fabric 4.25" x 25" for the Waistband and
                   2 strips of fabric 4" x 30" for the Waist Ties.

STEP 4:  Cut two 13" strips of the Wrights 1/2" bias tape.  Open one of the folded edges and press flat.  Leave the other edge folded.

STEP 5:  Pin the right side of the bias tape to the wrong side of Pocket edge.  Stitch on the fold line.

 

STEP 6:  Press the right side of the bias tape over the seam.  Make sure the folded edge stays folded under.  Wrap the bias tape over the seam, pin in place, and stitch down on the right side.

STEP 7:  Attach Pocket to Skirt by placing the wrong side of the Pocket on top of the right side of Skirt.  Pin in place and stitch together raw edges where Skirt and Pocket meet using a scant 1/4" seam.

STEP 8:  Cut  1.5 yards of bias tape.  Using the same methods in Steps 4-6, attach the bias tape to the outside edges of the apron.  Leave the top open.

STEP 9:  Prepare the Waist Ties.  Along one long edge, fold under twice 3/8” to create a double hem. Press and stitch.

To make a point at the end of the Tie, fold the end diagonally, right sides together, matching the raw edges.  Stitch a seam 3/8” from the edge.

Turn the point right side out. Turn under the raw edge twice, press and stitch. Top stitch the tie end.   Repeat for the second Tie.  Set the two ties aside while you prepare the Waistband.

 STEP 10:  Attaching the Waistband.  Find the center point of the Waistband and the center point of the Skirt.

With right sides together, pin the Waistband to the Skirt along the top edge, matching the center points. Stitch in place using a 1/2” seam.

Press seam flat, away from Skirt.  Turn top edge of Waistband under 1/2” and press with steam iron.

STEP 11:  Attaching Waist Ties (one at a time).  Trim Waistband so that it extends 1/2” beyond Skirt.  On right side, make a mark 1.5" from top.

Lay the Waistband flat with the right side up.  Pin the Waist Tie to the lower half of the right side of Waistband, matching raw edges.  Pin a pleat in the middle of Waist Tie.  Baste with scant 1/2" seam.

Fold Waistband down over the Waist Tie keeping Waistband halves right sides together. You should now have a sandwich with the Waist Tie in the middle. Pin in place.

Using a 1/2” seam allowance, stitch raw edges of Waistband even with finished end of Skirt.  Trim excess to 1/4”, turn inside out and press.  Repeat Step 11 on opposite side.

STEP 12:  Finishing touches.  Pin the folded edge of the Waistband to the Skirt. The folded edge should barely overlap the seam. Close the Waistband either by hand stitching the Waistband to the Skirt  OR take the freeway and use a fabric glue stick (my fave!) which allows you to top stitch immediately.

Topstitch around  the Waistband with a 1/8” seam.

And that, my friends, is all there is to it!

UPDATE:  I've fixed the broken Media Fire Link!