Amy Butler's In Stitches: More Than 25 Simple and Stylish Sewing Projects by Amy Butler Read Free Book Online

across the raw ends.
    Step 4. Finish the side raw edges of the apron panel.
    a. With the Wrong side of the apron panel facing up, fold the left side raw edge in 1 / 2 ″ and press. Fold in again 1 / 2 ″ and pin along the inner folded edge.
    b. Topstitch close to the inner folded edge of the apron panel to finish the side edge.
    c. Repeat steps 4a and 4b to finish the right side raw edge of the apron panel.
    Step 5. Attach the apron trim to the apron panel.
    a. First, fold the short raw ends of the apron trim 1″ in toward the Wrong side and press.
    b. With the Right side of the trim facing the Wrong side of the apron panel, line up the folded edge of the apron trim so that it’s even with the finished side edge of the apron panel, matching up the bottom raw edges. Pin the trim in place. ( FIGURE 5B, C, D )
    c. Stitch a 1 / 2 ″ seam across the matched raw edges, backstitching at each end. ( FIGURE 5B, C, D )
    d. Then, fold 1 / 2 ″ under on the unfinished raw edge of the apron trim, toward the Wrong side of the trim, and press. ( FIGURE 5B, C, D )
    e. Now, turn the apron panel over so that the Right side is facing up.
    f. Fold the apron trim over onto the Right side of the bottom of the apron panel and press the trim flat. Pin the top folded edge of the apron trim in place.
    g. On the Right side of the apron panel, edge stitch across the inner folded edge of the trim to enclose the raw edges, backstitching at each end.
    Step 6. Make the pleats on the apron panel.
    a. First, find the center of the apron panel by folding it in half lengthwise, and gently press a center crease.
    b. Then, starting at the top left corner of the top raw edge, measure over toward the center of the apron panel and make marks at the following increments: 1 3 / 8 ″, 2 3 / 8 ″, 3 3 / 4 ″, 4 3 / 4 ″, 6″, 7″, 8 1 / 2 ″, 9 1 / 2 ″, 11″, 12″, 13 1 / 2 ″, 14 1 / 2 ″ ( FIGURE 6B, C )
    c. Repeat step 6b, measuring from the top right corner of the top raw edge of the apron panel. There will be 24 marks across the top raw edge of the apron panel. ( FIGURE 6B, C )
    d. Now, you will make 6 pleats on each side of the center crease at the top of the apron panel. Match up the first 2 marks with the Right sides together. Fold the pleat that forms on the Wrong side of the fabric toward the center of the apron, and pin the pleat in place. Repeat this step to pleat each set of 2 marks until you have made 6 pleats on each side of the center crease of the apron panel. ( FIGURE 6D, E )
    e. Press all the pleats toward the center crease and machine baste a 3 / 8 ″ seam across the top pleated raw edge to secure the pleats. ( FIGURE 6D, E )
    Step 7. Attach the waistband to the apron panel.
    a. First, find the center of the waistband by folding it in half crosswise, matching the short raw ends. Gently press a crease to mark the center.
    b. Now, place one long raw edge of the waistband on the top raw edge of the pleated apron panel Right sides together, matching the center crease of the waistband with the center crease of the apron panel. (There will be 1 / 2 ″ of the waistband left on each side of the apron panel. This is the seam allowance for attaching the ties.)
    c. Then, attach the waistband by stitching a 1 / 2 ″ seam along the matched raw edges, backstitching at each end.
    d. Fold under 1 / 2 ″ on the long raw edge of the waistband toward the Wrong side and press.
    e. Now, fold the waistband in half, matching the long folded edge to the stitching attaching the apron panel, and gently press a crease to mark the center. ( FIGURE 7E )
    Step 8. Make and pleat the ties.
    a. Fold the first tie in half lengthwise with Right sides together, matching up the raw edges, and pin the sides in place. Stitch a 1 / 2 ″ seam down the long side raw edges and along one end.
    b. Then, trim the 2 bottom corners * in the seam allowance, making sure not to clip the stitching.
    * See page 172 for an explanation of trimming corners.
    c. Turn the tie Right