I've always loved the Apple Core pattern, but am entirely too lazy to ever cut out all those individual curved pieces by hand. So when I was choosing my dies for the GO! Baby and saw they had an Apple Core one, I was on it like a monkey on a cupcake.
When I was thinking about what kind of tutorial I wanted to make using this die, I thought it would be cute to do something kitchen related considering the name. What could be cuter than baking whilst wearing an Apple Core apron made with vintage-inspired fabrics? I was also thinking about the upcoming holiday season and how much I'm looking forward to Fall baking, so I thought some of you might like a new apron :)
This apron has a layer of flannel quilted to the front to give it a little weight and added texture, but you can skip this step if you'd prefer a lighter, more flouncy apron.
MATERIALS
- Twenty-four 7 1/16" x 5 3/8" Apple Cores
- 17.5" x 26.5" piece of backing fabric
- 19" x 28" piece of flannel
- One 21" x 4.5" piece (for the waist band)
- Two 32" x 4.5" pieces (for the ties)
Ready? Let's go! You will need to arrange your 24 pieces into 4 rows of 6. Once you have your pieces arranged how you'd like them, grab your first two pieces and line them up at the center. If you're using pieces you cut by hand (obviously they won't have the handy little notches), then you'll need to fold your pieces in half and finger press the seam to create a center marker.
Next you'll need to line up the outside edges and pin.
Once you have the center and ends pin, ease the remaining fabric around the curve of the bottom fabric and pin. When working with curves, the fabric has a mind of it's own, and it helps to pin as close to the edge as possible to keep it from shifting.
Sew together using a 1/4" seam. Clip small notches along the seam to create some "give" to the fabric.
Fold the pieces back and press.
Grab your next piece, line up the centers, and piece as you did the first two.
Repeat this process until you've assembled all 4 rows.
Next we'll attach the rows together. The first step is to line up all six of the center notches (or seams - depending on whether you're using GO! Baby pieces or not). Once I had row 2 lying face-down on top of row 1, I started by lining up the centers of vertical pieces first, and then pulling down the horizontal pieces to line up. Once you have all of the centers lined up an pinned, start working the remaining edges into place.
Here's what my two rows looked line once I had the centers pinned in place...
And here are the rather squirrely-looking rows once I finished pinning everything together...
Sew the rows together using 1/4" seam, easing your way around the curves. Once finished, clip notches along your seams, fold open and press.
Here's what the first two rows look like once attached...
And here's what your finished front panel should look like...
Once the front panel is finished, you'll need to square up the sides. Line up your ruler with the inside curves and trim the excess.
Repeat for the other three sides and square up the entire panel. It should be about 26.5" x 17.5" when finished.
Spray an adhesive like 505 onto the flannel piece, and smooth the front piece on top of it.
Quilt the layers together however you like (I used Free Motion, but Straight Line our Outline quilting will work). When you're finished, trim the excess flannel from the sides.
You can do this next part on your machine, but I prefer to do it by hand. There's no right or wrong method - just a matter of preference.
At the top of both the front piece and back piece, make a running stitch all the way across about 1/8" down from the edge.
Grab the loose ends of your thread, and start pushing your fabric evenly toward the center so that it gathers and creates little pleats. You want to gather your fabric until the top measures about 20" wide across the top.
Sew an 1/8" seam across the top to set the seats in place. You may need to help hold your fabric in place so that the foot doesn't push the fabric flat as it sews over it.
Once you've finished gathering the tops of both pieces, place your front and back fabric together, right sides facing. Pin in place and sew 1/2" seam around the sides and bottom -
leave the top completely open.
Trim the corners to reduce bulk, and flip right side out through the opening at the top.
Edge stitch along the three finished sides to secure.
Grab your 21" x 4.5" piece (for the waist band) and fold in half, wrong sides together. Press to set.
Fold the long edges in by 1/4" and press to set.
Your waist band piece should look something like this when you're finished...
Now grab your two 32" x 4.5" pieces (for the ties). Fold in half right sides together and press to set.
Sew one of the short ends closed using a 1/4" seam, pivot the foot, and continue sewing down the long open edge. When you get to the end, stop sewing and leave the remaining short end open.
Trim the corner down to reduce bulk, and turn right side out through the opening. Repeat for the other tie.
Press the ties in place and edge stitch along the long side with the seam.
Grab your waist band piece, and fold one of the short edges in by 1/2".
Place one of your ties on top of the waist band so that they overlap by 1/2", and fold the waist band down so that the tie is sandwiched between it. Make sure the end snuggled inside the waist band is the raw end of the tie.
Pin in place and sew together. I sewed 1/8" from the edge, moved the needle to the left, and sewed another seam 1/8" from the first one. (since there will be a lot of tugging on the waist and ties, I made two seams to make sure it's nice and secure). Repeat on the other end of the waist band with the remaining tie.
At this point, the apron is finished except for closing off the raw top edge of the apron, and the raw bottom edge of the waist band. Tuck the top of the apron into the waist band by 1/4" and pin in place. Make sure the raw edges of the waist band remain tucked up inside.
Sew the waist band and apron together using an 1/8" seam.
Go back, and sew a second seam 1/8" above the first seam.
Here's what the front and back will look like when you're finished...
You now have a lovely finished apron :)
And the best part is, since it's fully lined on the back, it's technically reversible! Huzzah for choices :)
