February 2010
Dear Friends,
It is a special delight for me to share with you an apron I designed last year!
I worked on it during many long, hot summer days and submitted it to Apron-ology magazine. They accepted it and it is featured in the new 2010 edition of Apron-ology.
To see how I embroidered the apron, with step-by-step photos,
click here for the pdf version. I hope you enjoy it!
Yours in Him,
Copyright, 2010, Laurie Latour.
www.FutureChristianHomemakers.com You may make one printed copy for your own personal, private use. FCH leaders may make one printed copy for each person in their group. Copyright line above must be included in all copies. Permission for any other use must be requested in writing.
Click here to Contact Us.January 2010
Dear Friends,
The gift-giving season is behind us, but I often get requests for instructions on easy gifts to make. There’s always a birthday, or a holiday coming up and something handmade is a loving and special gift. With a little planning ahead, you can make a unique gift that is sure to delight the recipient. And what better time than winter to “get crafty” and make gifts? We’re cooped up indoors more often now, so put some of those cold, gray days to good use.
I recently made some aprons from sock monkey fabric I purchased online. I used a very basic apron pattern, Simplicity 9361, and about a yard of fabric to create some cute gift aprons like this one.
But what if you don’t have time to sew? Here’s an easy “Semi-Handmade” apron that you can make in about an hour.
Buy a denim or canvas apron at Michaels, Joann Fabric Store, or other craft store. They cost about $5 and sometimes go on sale. I used a coupon to purchase this child’s denim apron for just a few dollars. Wash it and dry it without fabric softener (that can keep glue from sticking to the fabric).
Cut out small fabric pieces; they could be flowers or any motif you like. I used some scraps leftover from my sock monkey apron. I used it to create appliqués.
Use a glue stick (or spray adhesive if you prefer) to stick the fabric pieces to the apron. I used a glue stick made for fabric and embellishments that I bought in the craft section at WalMart. A regular glue stick should also work; test it on a fabric scrap first. You just want the fabric pieces to adhere to the apron while you sew around the edges.
Do a satin stitch around the edges of each fabric piece. You can do this easily by setting the zig-zag setting to sew narrow zig-zags very close together (adjust the stitch length and width). Practice on a fabric scrap until you get the stitch the way you want it. Back stitch at the beginning and end. Your sewing machine manual may also list settings for satin stitch.
That’s it; you’ve created a unique gift in about an hour for just a few dollars!
If you do not have a sewing machine, you can also seal the edges with fabric paint, but I have found that it does not hold up well to repeated washing. You can do a satin stitch by hand, although that would be difficult on heavy fabrics like denim. This is one project best done on the sewing machine.
Here are some online sources where I’ve found sock monkey prints in the past. It is made by Moda and this print was from their “Funky Monkey” collection, now out of print. But you may still find some or other sock monkey prints. I have also seen it for sale on etsy (
www.etsy.com) and ebay. Search “sock monkeys,” “Funky Monkey,” or try just “monkeys.”
www.hancocks-paducah.com www.fatquarterworld.comwww.fabric.com
www.fabricparadise.com
www.fatquartershop.com
www.quiltscapes.com
Coming in February: Watch for Apron-ology magazine; it comes out only once each year! An embroidered apron I designed will be featured in the 2010 edition. Look for Apron-ology at Joann Fabric shops, or in bookstores. More information in February!
Until next time ~
Yours in Him,
Copyright, 2010, Laurie Latour.
www.FutureChristianHomemakers.com You may make one printed copy for your own personal, private use. FCH leaders may make one printed copy for each person in their group. Copyright line above must be included in all copies. Permission for any other use must be requested in writing.
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