I regularly wear aprons to protect my clothes while cooking and baking. Creating a Cute Apron with Leftover Fabric.
Creating a Cute Apron with Leftover Fabric
After the two wing chairs that were found at the side of the road were slipcovered in antique ticking I found that I still had tons of fabric left.
There were a few areas on the fabric that no matter how hard I tried to remove the rust spots, they never completely faded away. I thought about how I could use these pieces of fabric. An apron seemed like a good choice because in all honesty, I am a bit clumsy when cooking.
It never fails that I splatter something on myself when whipping up something in the kitchen. Which is why I always wear an apron. A few spots wouldn’t really hurt as they would probably appear soon anyways. Now here’s the part where I make you cranky since didn’t use a pattern. You can create your own pattern just following the shape of another apron.
I like bib aprons and made this apron a bit more feminine with some bust seaming and a bit of gathering. Then double folded bias tape (available at any sewing store) was pinned it on to the upper edge.
I used decorative stitching to attach the tape. (My apologies for the brightness of the photo.) Then I attached the bodice to a pleated half skirt.
I then took more bias tape and custom fit it around my neck so the apron would sit exactly where I needed it to.
Embellishing The Apron
This is what the finished upper bodice look liked. The floral pin was leftover from when I created a few designs for my ticking pillows. It didn’t make the cut for the pillows, but I thought it worked perfectly here.
I then took a 44-inch wide strip of ticking fabric and gave it a 1/2” double folded hem. This was the bottom ruffle. At the top of the fabric, I set my machine to the widest straight stitch and sewed two rows (this is necessary for thicker fabric) that I could then pull to create a ruffle.
Once the fabric was gathered to fit the skirt I attached the two pieces together. You can somewhat see the rust spots when you are THISCLOSE, but from a regular standing distance, they are hardly visible.
Apron Strings
For the apron strings, I knew I wanted extra long ties that I could wrap back to front. Professional chefs often wear aprons tied in this manner and I too find it more comfortable. I was looking for a special way I could incorporate the red initials that were originally found on the ticking material and thought they would look good on the end of one of the ties.
Of course, you might be thinking “But the “EB” initials aren’t your initials.”. Well, sure they are if you think outside the box.
Enthusiastic Baker
Exceptionally Blessed
Excellent Bather
Now that I’ve made you smile, I think my work here is done for the day.
Happy Day from an Entertaining Blogger (shown with Extra moist Banana bread.)
Laura
Tales From My Empty Nest says
What a precious apron, Laura. I love it. I like the way you topstitched the bias edging. So cute!! And that banana bread sounds delicious. I was just thinking of making some myself. Hope you are having a wonderful Labor Day. Love & blessings from NC!
Richella says
This is ADORABLE! And you are adorable wearing it! Very, very cute.
I found you via It's So Very Cheri. Glad I did!
Julie Tucker-Wolek says
You are toooooooooooo CUTE!!! LOVEEEEEEEEEEEE the photos!!! And that APRON is JUST ADORABLE! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)
French Basketeer says
“E”njoy “B”aking in your adorable new apron, Laura, it's perfect!
Love the Decor! says
You are so adorable!! Love the EB ideas
Darling apron and great use of repurposing fabrics
Have a great day!!
Brie says
Very cute! Your EB titles cracked me up 🙂
Country Wings in Phoenix says
Happy Labor Day Laura Sweetie…
Oh my gosh, I LOVE this little apron that you made. It is so darn cute, and ofcourse no pattern. You are so creative.
I love your photo, don't you look like June Cleaver? Ha! Ha! It did make me smile, you are such a bundle of energy. Just precious sweetie.
Thank you for sharing, and banana bread did you say? Oh my that is it, I will be right over. I can't stand anymore.
Many hugs sweetie and so much love, Sherry
Shelia says
Hi Laura! You cute little thing, you! OH, what a precious apron you've made! I like the bibbed kind too! Now your banana bread sounds lovely! Hope you're not cooking your pretty littel head off! 🙂
Happy Labor Day.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
Kathy's Red Door Welcome says
What a darling apron…that must be a fancy machine you own that does the decorative stitching. You are so adorable. I'm headed to read your post on those wing backs. I have a wing back that is in desperate need of a slip cover and I have been thinking about doing it in pillow ticking. You have so inspired me!
Amy says
You are so cute!
I keep saying 'I'm gonna learn how to sew..' It's been about 5 years now….lol…
Angie@Echoes of Laughter says
Hi Laura,
I just found your blog today! Fabulous! I love it! I am your newest follower!
Angie xo
Kit says
You crack me up! What a great blog. And your apron is so sweet! Great Job! Kit
Vanessa says
Hi Laura! Thank you so much for coming over to leave a sweet comment on my blog! I love yours and can't wait to see more of your beautiful creations. That apron is adorable and the last picture was great! 🙂
Vanessa
http://southerninmyheart.blogspot.com
Lisa says
Adorable apron Laura! I too ultimately splatter myself while cooking mostly while wearing anything WHITE! Wish I had the skills to make a few myself! Great colors and patterns you used.
DesignTies says
Great way to put the leftover ticking to good use, even with the rust spots 🙂
I'm pretty sloppy when I'm cooking — my whole kitchen could use an apron!! 😉
Kelly
BonjourRomance says
Marvelous post Laura. The apron is adorable, and that last pose was perfect.
I think your week is off to a great start,
Mimi
Jeannine says
Very cute! I love making up my own apron patterns too.
Becolorful says
How cute are you. I don't cook but it would be fun to rock that apron so I look like I do. 🙂
I'd love it if you'd share it over at Motivated Monday at BeColorful.
Pam
Privet and Holly says
Betty Crocker,
WHAT have you done
with our Laura???
If you find her,
tell her that this
apron is adorable
and that the wing
chairs look brilliant
with their re-do!!!
What an Enviable
Blogger she is : ) !
xx Suzanne
Leilaluna says
giveawayyyy
Craftymoose Crafts says
Exceptional Blog post, as usual, Laura! Happy baking in that spiffy apron!
the cape on the corner says
well only an Effervescent Bubbly Expert Baker would have such a snazzy and ladylike apron! love the ruffled edges, so sweet.
Mary Grace McNamara says
I'm an apron wearer too and a very messy baker! Your apron is darling with that ruffle and the very cute topstitching on the binding. I love ticking…just something about it that is cozy!
MGM
designlove-cynthia says
Thank you for visiting my blog! Your apron and photos are very cute!!!
Cindy
blesid says
I want you to adopt me, but I may be too old …
I had so much fun clicking around on your blog. So much fun that you need to send some of that banana bread so my children can have dinner. I'm your newest follower!!! Jules from bles-id
Sandy says
Such a cute photo of you wearing your very nice apron.. I love the fabrics you used! Inventive!
Laura, Thank you for your visit to my blog today and no, my niece has not made Labor day.. poor girl is so unhappy today but her doctor said “If she has not gone into labor by her visit on Tuesday, he will take her in”…
I do hope your weekend was fun..
Sandy
Bettyann says
what a cutie patotee..love the apron..thanks you made me smile..
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
Very cute apron, Laura, and you look lovely modeling it!
Preppy Pink Crocodile says
Love it! The ruffle on the bottom is so girly and great!
Karen says
“Enlivened” the “B”logoshere with your talents and your adorable pictures! Well done Laura!
Something Nice and Pretty says
I'm still in awe of ticking chairs and now the sweet apron, love your pictures with you modeling it!
Rondell
Sixty-Fifth Avenue says
You couldn't be any cuter! Such a fun post. We have really pretty juice glasses from france with the letter N on them. We are always trying to come up with something for them.
Londen
Andrea says
Cute apron! I should really wear an apron more regularly. Perhaps if I made a cute one like you did, I'd be more likely to wear it =)
Iris says
You're a “Stepford Wive”! I knew it! Bet you can also whip up a dinner party for 12 with thirty minutes notice (and we are not talking pigs-in-a-blanket here.)
April says
Beautiful! You look positively stunning in that top picture.
I love this project! I have been daydreaming of making aprons from old skirts, and you just inspired a project, for which I thank you!
My hubby is going to be glad to see my “everyday” apron become a bit more FEMININE, too.
Happy day to you!
TRay says
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the apron!!! Love it!! You could also be an “E”gg “B”eater!!!
hugs,
pea
Jingle says
This is absolutely adorable!!!
Hollace says
Very cute apron and you are cute, too, having fun in it. I love ticking, myself.
Tauni says
What a cute apron…I am always looking for things to use those random odds and ends I still have floating around.
Lisa says
Now don't you look snazzy!
Lanette of Cottage Elements says
How cute are you! And what an adorable apron. I love aprons, but I'm a terrible cook. Might have to work at it a little, just so I can wear an apron 🙂
Cat says
Love It !!!
Awesome job Laura..
fairfieldhousenj.com says
Laura,
The apron is almost as sweet as my Extraordinary, Beautiful friend that created it!
Deborah
Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe says
the blossom at the top just makes it!
Perfect~
A friday favorite for sure 🙂
nancycreative says
What a cute apron! I'll need to try that!
Moogie says
I'm your newest happy follower. http://moogieland.blogspot.com/
Jerri says
What a lovely apron! Great job!
Monica@The White Bench says
Hello Laura,
I'm terribly late in returning you a comment, so please my apologies.
I made an apron very similar to this one some time ago, you can have a look at my blog should you fancy to see it… great minds think alike!;))
And you sport it fabulously!
Monica.