**Updated with pictures of the kids wearing the aprons! Success!! Aren't the kiddies the cutest?**
So now that Christmas is over I can post some of the items I made for friends and family. This was a fun and crafty Christmas, I must say.
First up are the cowboy apron and Minnie Mouse apron I made for my nephew Jakey (6 years old) and niece Susie (3 years old) in upstate New York. I'm RIDICULOUSLY proud of how they turned out! Seriously, I should be embarrassed and suffering from a sprain from patting myself on the back so often. Especially the cowboy apron since I made so many modifications from the starting pattern.
I've been mulling these over since May 2008 when we all went on a huge family vacation to Disneyland together. I learned that Jakey and Susie like being in the kitchen making cookies at Christmas... hmmm... wouldn't aprons be sweet? I finally worked up the courage to make them a couple of months ago (I'm not confident in my sewing skills at all - let alone straying from a pattern. Gasp.). I had hoped they could use them during the holidays this year - alas, they got the package the Monday after the cookie-baking-weekend. Shoot.
I used Simplicity pattern 3949 Child and Misses Apron. The Minnie Mouse apron was "A" and the cowboy apron was based on "C".
Minnie Mouse apron modifications:
- Added the cotton eyelet trim at the bottom of the skirt, top of the pockets and around the bib
- Used a white on white polka dot fabric for the waistband and lining of the pockets
- Top-stitched the waistband
- Used velour iron-on letter transfers for her name
Cowboy apron modifications:
- Used Yippee!! by Michael Miller fabric for bib and neck ties, denim for the rest of the apron
- Added an applique scrap fabric black "belt" and scrap gold "buckle"
- Moved the pockets up to the belt to look more like a holster
- Used velour iron-on letter transfers for his name
- Top-stitched a front fly to simulate jeans (since it was for a little boy - didn't want it to look so much like a skirt)
- Added a scrap kerchief scarf to complete the cowboy look. Cut a triangle from scrap fabric, hemmed the edges, knotted one end then hand stitched it in place
Interestingly, I'm proudest of the back of the bib - the little piece that covers where the neck ties were sewn in... I have no idea why I just think it makes it look very neat and finished.
These two projects were a lot of fun. I made the Minnie Mouse one first and ripped out pretty much every single seam because I either didn't read the pattern right or inadvertently sewed the wrong pieces together, the wrong sides together etc. But after thoroughly screwing it up and redoing it - it made the cowboy apron go smoothly despite all the mods.
Even though they received these AFTER *sigh* the big cookie baking session, I hear Susie and Jakey liked them. I hope so because I don't want to be like that aunt in A Christmas Story that makes ridiculous things like the bunny outfit and then the Mom makes the kids wear them... time will tell if my gifts will put them in need of therapy down the road. These aprons seem pretty innocuous though.
I believe these have started me in on a sewing phase so you're likely to see a lot of sewing projects in the coming months. Good thing Santa brought me a professional Rowenta iron
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