Sharon Sews

How cute is this little butterfly on the bib of this apron? I took a break from a wrap dress I'm working on as I need to fix a fit issue ( it's a Vintage Vogue pattern for a Diane Von Furstenberg colorblocked wrapdress - pop over to my Instagram if you want a peek before I blog about it ).  While I'm wrapping (ha!) my head around how best to fix the bodice I sewed a couple of quick kid's items. One is this apron. The pattern, McCall's 6618, is now out of print.  The copyright date is 2012, and I don't remember exactly when I purchased it. I do know I've had it for a while. I don't normally do a lot of craft sewing. Especially aprons as I like to create my own apron designs. But this one, with the lion, dinosaur, and butterfly faces, was too cute to pass by. The apron is a great stash buster as there are lots of small pieces. I used yardage for the main apron body and ties. I used fat quarters for the rest of the pieces.  I didn't add the yo...

Have you picked up the latest Sew It All magazine yet? It went on sale about a month ago and it is another good one.  I've been purchasing this magazine since it was first released and have been fortunate enough to be a contributor in volumes 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.  Volume 8 will be released June 2014 and you'll find a project or two from me in that one also. This time around I designed a petal shaped reversible apron.  The article "Cafe Cutie" can be found on page 100. The magazine sample features fabric from Monaluna's Modern Home collection . Isn't it that print collection just perfect for this project?   Here's is side two.   Although a towel is only shown on this side, each apron side has a towel loop included.  That's because I like to have a towel handy when I bake so I don't get my apron too dirty.  LOL!  I know, it kind of defeats the purpose of wearing an apron doesn't it?  You'll be able to watch me demo this ap...

   Aprons and baking. They go hand in hand in my house.  I have multiple aprons and am always ready to add more to the mix.  These ruffled cuties are three versions of the In the Mix apron from the latest issue of Sew iT All magazine (Volume 5).  It's on page 108 if you happen to have the magazine. Look closely at the byline for the apron project. Yep, that's my name!  This apron is one of my projects in this issue.  This bright version was sewn to pitch the project idea to the magazine editors.  I left the ruffle edges raw but discovered they raveled more than I anticipated.  When I sewed the sample for the magazine, I lengthened the apron and hemmed the edges of the ruffles.  By the way, you can purchase a kit to sew this exact design . The kit includes the Westminster's BoHo fabric shown as well as the instructions.  My latest version was sewn using a remnant from JoAnn fabrics with the ruffles sewn from an I...

I love aprons - even itty bitty Barbie(tm) ones.  Since I'm partial to half aprons myself, I figured Barbie could use a new one. So I whipped one up. I'll show you how so you can whip one up too.   Let's get started.  Download the half-circle apron pattern here .  Please NOTE: This is pattern drawn by hand Cut one apron body and one rectangle 20" x 1-1/2" for the waistband/ties. Pin the lace trim on the right side of the apron matching the bottom edge.  Stitch using a 1/4" seam allowance.  The lace trim after it's stitched to the apron. Turn the bottom edge towards the wrong side of the apron. Lightly press. On the right side stitch close to the edge which will hold the hem in place. Fold the back edge toward the wrong side by 1/4".  Finger press.  Fold another 1/4" toward the wrong side. Press. Stitch side hem in place. Staystitch the waist curve by stitching 1/4" from the edge. Carefully clip to the stitchi...

Every year, after the PatternReview weekends I would lurk among the PR boards reading about all the fun. I'm not ashamed to admit that I was green with envy. After all I was reading about late nights filled with wine and laughter, shared dinners and inside jokes, fashion shows and fabric shopping, and of course the bonding between sewing friends. As much as I've wanted to attend one of these events, finances just haven't allowed it. Which is why I jumped at a chance to take part in the PR Day 2011 being held worldwide Saturday, Nov. 19. Ten of us began the celebration early and met for dinner at the Mall of America the night before.  Dotes wore her lovely animal print coat making it easy for us to spot her outside the restaurant.  We let out squeals of delight when we reconized one another and finally had the chance to meet face-to-face. The bond was immediate and 10 almost-strangers began friendships that night. The conversation over dinner could have lasted a...

Polka dots. Who doesn't love polka dots? When I saw this Anthro apron I knew I needed a polka dot apron.  I mean, you'd want a polka dot apron after seeing this, right? Here's mine.  Sweet and simple.  Pattern : Butterick 4945 Fabric : 1-5/8 yards of black and white polka dot cotton/lycra blend Time: 1-1/4 hours from cutting to photographing Pattern changes: Add a self-fabric bow in place of a ribbon bow Do yo have a polka dot apron? *********************************************

As I was searching for cotton fabrics for a project I'm working on I stumbled across this fabric. Perfect!  Quirky with a retro vibe I knew it would be perfect for an apron I was donating as a silent auction item at a Charity Wine Tasting Event. I even knew exactly what design I'd use.  A vintage apron pattern, Advance 6607.  It has no copyright date, but according to this site I estimate the design to be from 1953 or 1954.  Because this vintage pattern is a small, an 8-10 but no waist measurements provided, I choose to create my own waistband, adding a slight curve to mimic the apron's curved hem. I also increased the apron ties to measure 32" each. My goal was to make it easier to fit a number of different folks in various sizes. Can I just say that I seriously wanted to keep this one for myself ?  I mean, I love everything I sew. (Well, almost everything...but that's another story for another day.) And if you listened to my interview on the Sew...