Handy Work

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Designer: Lynn Jeffries of the Handmaiden’s Cottage

• 4—9×21"pieces (fat eighths) assorted florals in pink, blue, and aqua (patchwork pocket)
• 9×21"piece (fat eighth)  multicolor stripe (patchwork pocket, belt loops)
• 5/8 yard solid pink (apron lining, pocket lining)
• 3/8 yard blue floral (apron front)
• 1/4 yard white-and-red polka dot (ruffle)
• 1/4 yard pink stripe (apron ties, waistband)
• 1/8 yard interfacing
• 6-1/2"of 3/8"-wide lace trim: ecru

Finished apron: 20-1/2 ×15 -1/4"

Yardages and cutting instructions are based on 42" of usable fabric width. Measurements include 1/2" seam allowances, except where indicated. Sew with right sides together unless otherwise stated.

Cut pieces in the following order.

From assorted florals, cut:

• 1—6-1/2×10" rectangle
• 3—6×7-1/2" rectangles

From multicolor stripe, cut:

• 1—6-1/2×7-1/2" rectangle
• 2—3×6-1/2" rectangles

From solid pink, cut:

• 1—12×21-1/2" rectangle
• 1—7-1/2×21-1/2" rectangle

From blue floral, cut: 

• 1—12×21-1/2" rectangle

From white-and-red polka dot, cut: 

• 1—7×42" strip

From pink stripe, cut: 

• 2—3-1/2×38" strips
• 1—3-1/2×22" strip

From interfacing, cut:

• 2—3×6" rectangles

1) Fold floral 6-1/2×10" rectangle in half widthwise, wrong side inside to make a  6-1/2×5" pocket front; press.

2) Place ecru lace trim along folded edge; topstitch in place.

3) Lay multicolor stripe 6-1/2×7-1/2" rectangle on a flat surface with right side up. Place lace-trimmed pocket front on top, aligning bottom and side edges. Using a 1/4" seam allowance, sew together along bottom and side edges to make lace-trimmed pocket (Photo 1).

4) Referring to Photo 2, sew together lace-trimmed pocket and three assorted floral 6×7-1/2" rectangles in a row. The row should be 21-1/2×7-1/2" including seam allowances. Press seams open.

5) With right sides together, layer solid pink 7-1/2×21-1/2" rectangle atop Step 4 row. Sew together along top and bottom edges, leaving side edges open. Turn right side out; press to make patchwork pocket strip. The patchwork pocket strip should be 6-1/2×21-1/2" including seam allowances.

6) Place blue floral 12×21-1/2" rectangle faceup horizontally on a flat surface. Layer patchwork pocket strip atop rectangle 1-1/2" from bottom edge (Photo 3). Using a 1/4"seam, sew together at side edges. Topstitch along bottom edge of patchwork pocket.

1) With right side inside, fold white-and-red polka dot 7×42" strip in half lengthwise. Sew together at short ends (Photo 4,  top). Turn right side out; press (Photo 4, bottom).

2) Using a long basting stitch, sew 1/4" from long raw edges, leaving thread tails on each end. Pull threads to gather edges until strip is 20-1/2" long to make ruffle.

3) With raw edges aligned, center ruffle along bottom of apron front; the ruffle should be 1/2" shorter on each end (Photo 5, opposite). Pin and stitch ruffle to apron front.

4) With right sides together, join apron front and solid pink 12×21-1/2" rectangle along bottom and side edges, making sure ruffle isn’t caught in seam line. Clip corners, turn right side out, and press to make apron skirt.

5) Topstitch along side and bottom edges of each individual pocket (Photo 6). Begin stitching at upper right-hand corner of patchwork pocket and stitch down along right-hand edge, pivoting at corners of each patchwork pocket. You will stitch one continuous line across the patchwork pocket as you sew up and down along seams of individual pockets. Reinforce by adding a bar tack or zigzag stitch at the top of each pocket seam to make apron skirt.

1) Following manufacturer’s instructions, fuse a 3×6-1/2" interfacing rectangle to wrong side of each multicolor stripe 3×6-1/2" rectangle.

2) Referring to Photo 7, fold a fused strip in half lengthwise with right side inside. Sew together along long edges. Turn right side out to make a tube. Position seam in center of tube and press flat to make a belt loop.

3) Matching raw edges, fold belt loop in half; press to mark center. Open belt loop. Matching raw edges, pin one end of belt loop to top of apron skirt, 3" from side edge of skirt.

4) Starting at top edge, stitch close to edge of belt loop, pivot and stitch horizontally across belt loop (at pressed center), pivot again, and continue stitching up the other side (Photo 8). Fold belt loop so raw edges are even with top edge of apron skirt. Stitch across top of belt loop, securing it to skirt using a 1/4" seam.

5) Repeat steps 2–4 to make and attach a second belt loop on opposite edge of apron skirt.

1) Fold a pink stripe 3-1/2×38" strip in half lengthwise, wrong side inside. Sew along long edge and one short edge using 1/4" seam, leaving one short edge open for turning. Turn right side out; press. Topstitch around all edges to make an apron tie (Photo 9). Repeat to make a second apron tie.

2) Fold under 1/2" along one long edge of pink stripe 3-1/2×21-1/2" strip, wrong side inside; press (Photo 10).

3) Working on lining side, pin long raw edge of Step 2 strip to raw top edge of apron skirt. The strip will extend 1/2" beyond side edges of skirt. Join pieces to make waistband. Press seam toward waistband (Photo  11).

4) Pin apron ties to waistband, right sides together and raw edges matching at sides. Stitch sides together (Photo 12).

5) Fold waistband over ties, right sides together, and stitch ends.

6) Turn waistband right side out. Pin folded edge to top of apron along seam line. Stitch waistband in place, close to folded edge (Photo 13). Continue topstitching around sides and top of waistband to complete apron.