First Time Seamstress!

 During my recent vacation, I had the opportunity to teach my daughter in law a little about sewing. She had never even sewn a button on before, so I was so proud of her for being so eager to learn. She made not only an apron, but a receiving blanket for a friend expecting a new baby. She also made a fleece blanket with tied edges. 
Those of us who learned to sew as children, or who had family members who sewed, don't realize how much easier it is for us to learn. We've seen the mechanics of it all. If you've never even seen anyone put a knot in the end of the thread, imagine how hard it can seem to be. 
My granddaughter has sewn with me several times before, so she is a little more advanced in her sewing skills. She made a pair of pajama shorts to match her flamingo bedroom. 

 She will be 10 years old in a little over a month. She may not know it now, but she will be at a big advantage over non-sewing friends when she goes off to college in the future! These little pajama pants are made of fleece. They were a great project for a beginner and they look adorable on her!

 And just so I don't leave him out, I have to tell a cute story on my grandson (aged nearly 5). We went to Macaroni Grill and when the waitress asked him what he wanted, he asked, "Do you have broccolli?" She said, "Sure!". They brought him his plate of broccoli and he ate it all! It is one of his favorite foods! (He is a real vegetable lover!) His mouth is full of green goodness in this photo!
 

 One more proud Nana photo.... My granddaughter is almost as tall as I am. (I'm only 5'2", but she is not even 10 yet! She's catching up fast. Fortunately, she doesn't have the muffin top I seem to be sporting in this photo. (Too much eating out on this trip!!!) I would have photo-shopped it out if I had been clever enough!

I've been busy finishing up a quilt that I will share with you soon. I'm part of a Christmas blog hop that will be held the end of the month. I'll give you more details later. 
Until next time......

 

Bandana Apron Tutorial

 This little apron is made from bandanas. It is intended to be worn by a human and not a chair or stool, but this was the best I could do today! You can see my attempt at photographing it on myself through a mirror! Despite my photography problems, this was a very fast project and required very little sewing.

 I love the idea of re-purposing. I don't know why except that it makes me feel creative. For that reason, I can't seem to pass by the $1 rack of bandanas in Walmart without stopping and wondering what I can do with them. They are different every season and come in pretty colors and styles.
Below are a few others:

You need 3 bandanas for the little apron and a 5" x whatever length you need for a sash. (The bigger around the waist you are, the longer you need the sash.) You could alternatively buy a very wide ribbon to use. Press and starch each one before you begin.

1. Lay out three bandanas of your choice and place them point to point. If you turn back the points, you can check how the pockets will look. 

2. Put the corners of two bandanas right sides together. Measure down 7 1/2" from the point on each of the two sides and place a pin at the mark. Now draw a line between the 2 pins.

3. Sew on the line across the corner. Now sew again outside the line about 1/2".

4. Cut between the lines.

5. You now have a pocket ready to be pressed. It is already hemmed around the edges! Repeat all this on the other side of your center bandana with the leftover bandana. You will have a second pocket ready to go!

6. You now need to cut the points off the top. Measure 7 1/2" up from the side point and mark. Cut across from the top of the side seam to the mark. Do this also on the bandana on the opposite end.

7. Cut across the middle from the top of each side seam. The pieces you have cut off can be used to make a bib for your apron if you want. They might also be used to make potholders. OR, how about a little matching apron for a little girl? (You would have to modify it just a little, but the concept is the same.)

8. Here is the piece with the points cut off. Now sew a basting/gathering stitch across the top.

9. Pin the pocket pieces at the seams. I chose to switch the colors. Sew them on with the opening at an angle at the top center.

10. Pull the bobbin thread of your gathering stitch and gather it to about a 15" or 16" length. (Again, if you are large, you might want a wider apron front. Hold it up to yourself and check it out.)

11. Cut your sash 5" wide and as long as you need to go around your waist with room to tie. Place the middle of the sash to the middle of the top of the gathered apron, right sides together. Pin along each side. Sew it on along the gathering stitch.

12. Turn the sash right sides together and sew together along the end and up to the apron on each side. Press a 1/4" seam allowance up along the unsewn edge and press. Turn the sash inside out on each side. Press. Sew the turned edge down either by hand or machine along the gathering edge at the back. It should hide the gathering. Press well, and you're finished!