Disaster pattern
Originally uploaded by Big Sister.
Last month in a sewing fervor, I decided I finish my unfinished projects and try to sew down my fabric stash. To get started I dug out the pattern you see above. I had already cut out the fabric and had all the pieces ready to go. As expected, the sewing moved along quickly. Darts, front to back, facing. Everything seemed perfect, then I tried it on. It pulled in all the wrong places. The fabric didn't have the right drape. The color was all wrong. And even though it was far larger than a blouse that I wear regularly, it just seemed too small. Don't believe me? See for yourself. Just don't say that I didn't warn you.
I know. Holy cow. How could things have gone that wrong? Unfortunately, that project put me off sewing for a few weeks, so the unfinished remains unfinished & the stash went remarkably dent free until Friday. Friday morning I got the urge to make another apron. Using a vintage sheet, I came up with this:
The specs
Pattern: Roughly the same as the last time, only this time around I really only used the skirt of the original apron as a guide. I used the top edge of the sheet, so that I wouldn't have to hem it. I then used a section of the sheet hem as the waist band and another section for the ties. I made the ties longer and wrapped them around to tie in front.
Fabric: Recycled vintage sheet
Sewing time: One hour (!) -- including cutting the pattern
It was great to get something done this quickly. Just as quickly, it was gone. That afternoon, I took it over to Mr's mom's so she could include it in a group wedding shower gift for a cousin of Mr's. The theme (of the present or maybe of the shower, I don't know because I didn't actually attend the shower) was baking, so I figured an apron worked. I hadn't used that sheet yet because I wasn't sure how the big pattern would work, but I ended up liking it. Lucky for me, I have a lot of it leftover!
On the bright side, if you decide to switch careers and become a nurse, you'll have a pattern to make your own scrubs.
Posted by: rayna | June 19, 2006 at 01:37 PM
Oh my! You have a good sense of humour about it. I'm sorry; I did giggle at the photo. The apron, on the other hand, is divine. So sweet. win some, lose some. At least it wasn't hours lost to knitting...
Posted by: Gina | June 20, 2006 at 08:33 AM
Gurl, that pattern looks like it's for the tall girls. I'm over the tall girl clothing. Were there any lines or instructions to petite-ize it? Don't feel badly. The apron rocks. I think I may fashion for myself an entire wardrobe of aprons. Then, I'm going to pretend it's the 1930's. Of course, if it were actually the 1930's I would be a social pariah.
Posted by: anne | June 20, 2006 at 09:51 AM
Wow! Did the pattern designed think that all women have boobs that point directly to their armpits?
Posted by: Bonnie | June 20, 2006 at 04:35 PM
The apron is nice, I agree.
I have been meaning to ask...Could you please do a post on Snack Rock?
What is Snack Rock? You mentioned it in your music post, and I dwell on this question daily. What is Snack Rock? Would I like it? How can I obtain it?
Again, purty apron. Funny scrubs.
Posted by: Tanya | June 21, 2006 at 06:15 AM
I love love love the apron! It is soo adorable! But more than that I love you and your talent! Kisses!
Posted by: Trina | July 11, 2006 at 10:01 PM
I just made that McCalls 4304 pattern yesterday, on my second one today. Did your pattern call for horizontal darts? I had vertical darts and it worked out good...the horizontal ones never match up to my bust area.
Great apron...there is an ApronAlong started at http://apronalong.blogspot.com if you are interested...and you could have great input as you've sewed up some wonderful ones that I have seen.
Posted by: Sherrill | July 18, 2006 at 06:35 AM