Psyched Up to Serve

February is our family's month to learn about service.

So, to kick it off, I decided to get myself "psyched up to serve"

by making this sweet little ruffled apron.

(It's also my first sewing project for the "Sewing Smack-down"

that I'm having with my Mom and Sister this month.)

Make one of these for yourself and follow along with us

as our family goes through our own "Service Boot Camp".

To make this apron you'll need the following fabrics:

(1) 15 1/2" x 20 1/2" piece of fabric for the back of the apron - Piece A

(4) 6 1/2" x 33 1/2" pieces of fabric for the ruffles - Piece B

(2) 4 1/2" x 24 1/2" pieces for the apron strings - Piece C

(1) 4 1/2" x 20 1/2" piece of fabric for the band - Piece D

Start by creating a 1/4 inch hem all the way around piece A.

Then create a 1/4 inch hem around three side of pieces B,

leaving one long side unhemmed.

Using long stitches, sew along the unsewn side of piece B,

approximately 1/4 inch into the fabric and again at 1/8 inch,

as shown.

Gently pull the threads to gather and create your ruffle.

Repeat for the other three B pieces.

Starting on the bottom, pin the top edge of the first ruffle

to the wrong side of piece A

at about one inch from the bottom.

Adjust the gathers to fit all the way across piece A.

Pin down and sew across to secure.

Sew the next ruffle at about four inches above the first ruffle

making sure that the top ruffle overlaps the one beneath it by about one inch.

Repeat with the remaining ruffles,

leaving about 1 1/2 inches of piece A at the top.

Next, hem around pieces C, leaving one short side open.

Take piece D and create a 1/4" hem all the way around it by folding and ironing.

Fold piece D length-wise over the top of your apron. Press.

Insert pieces C into the sides.

Pin this all together.

Sew, taking care to tuck all unsewn edges under.

Whew!

I love, love, love this apron.

So does my daughter, who has asked me to make her a "tutu", too!

I guess I'll be making another one of these on a miniature scale,

since I plan on having my kids serving right along side of me.

I will post the child apron pattern soon.

If you have any questions about the directions above,

see the tutorial on One more Moore for more details.