Be sure to check out my most recent sewing pattern book entitled The Best Apron Book Ever available at Clotilde.com for more apron inspiration. Between the covers of the book, you'll find a baker's dozen of unique apron designs sure to please the chef, gardener or hostess of your next garden party.

Following are a few quick tips for inspiration.

Pattern selection
Aside from the patterns in the The Best Apron Book Ever, one of my favorite patterns to use for my apron designs is Kwik Sew's pattern #3518. This pattern offers a smock-type apron along with two waist-tie style aprons. By changing small details such as pocket placements, trims or lengths, I've made this pattern go a long way.

I've also traced around existing aprons to copy the pattern. This gives me the versatility to experiment with new styles. An advantage of tracing an existing apron is that you can tweak the sizing to make it fit so much better. Because I am tall, I often add several inches to the length for better coverage. However, when making a grilling apron for my husband, I add extra width for side coverage.

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Fabric selection
Always match the fabric type to the apron pattern. A soft frilly apron drapes nicely when stitched from cotton while a grilling apron holds up well from a drapery or oil-cloth fabric. But don't limit yourself to traditional fabric choices. I love to use quilting cottons because of the variety of colored prints available. When matching pocket and trim fabric to the primary apron fabric, consider quilt fabrics available from design collections; they'll help you make decisions in a snap.

Try lining your apron design with a nicer drape. Simply purchase twice as much yardage as needed. I like to use a fabric print on one side with a contrasting lining on the other. This makes your apron reversible and allows you to decorate both apron sides.

Be sure to check out printed panels to use for apron fronts. Often they are available in one yard cuts, the perfect size for a full-length apron.

Think outside the box when you make an apron. Visit local thrift stores, rummage sales and flea markets for vintage tablecloths, sheets or valances. I've even transformed a vintage blouse into an apron by cutting the apron front from the back blouse panel (using Kwik Sew's pattern). These fabric finds are easy to redesign into wearable apron art because they are often finished decoratively around the edges eliminating the need for hemming.

Take a fresh look at old denim for design ideas. One designer I know cut the leg off of men's blue jeans, opened one seam, added grommets at the top for the neck strap and created a unique apron in minutes. Take a critical look at the placement of back pockets or the front zipper fly of blue jeans, and you may be able to use them to sew a popping fresh apron in minutes.

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Embellishment Tips
If you think of your apron front as an artist's blank canvas, you'll soon decide that embellishment can be as challenging as the apron design. When designing the apron's front, try paint, hand or machine embroidery, purchased appliqués or felting to show case your unique sewing skills.

An easy embellishment trick is to purchase quilting fabric with a large design motif. Rough cut the motif from the fabric; then use a double-sided adhesive (such as Heat N Bond available at Clotilde.com) to fuse the motifs onto the apron front.

Because I use lots of quilting fabric for my apron designs, I save the small fabric scraps to make into bias folds. I use the folds as decorative loops around pockets or as spoon or garden shovel holders.

Speaking of pockets, for smooth outside edges, I always will line the pocket(s); with right sides together, sew around the outside edges leaving a small space for turning. Turn the pocket to the right side, and slip a flat-edged butter knife into the small open space. Next, slip the knife in between the seam allowances against the sewn seam and smooth the seam to the outside edge. For sharp corners, use a point turner.

To attach the pocket, spray the wrong side of the pocket with a temporary spray adhesive; position and sew into place with a slightly longer than normal stitch length.

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Denim with Dinner
Now that I have you inspired to create the apron of your dreams, try experimenting with this fun denim apron designed by Marianne Guy.

Denim With Dinner Designs By Marianne Guy Create a durable apron from cast-off bib overalls, add colorful trim and then make it your own with personalized embroideries. Finished Size Your size Materials 1 pair denim bib overalls with belt loops 1 1/2 yards 44/45-inch-wide madras plaid fabric Fusible web Optional: tear-away stabilizer Optional: embroidery machine and threads or 6-strand embroidery floss Basic sewing supplies and equipment Cutting From madras plaid fabric: Cut three 6 1/2-inch-wide bias strips the width of the fabric for ruffle and belt. Cut two 4 x 35-inch bias strips for ties. Measure the length of the straps. Cut two 2 1/2-inch-wide bias strips this length plus 6 inches for bias trim. Assembly 1. Cut off overall legs at desired apron length (without 6-inch ruffle). Open inner leg seams, back crotch and center back seams. 2. On back, where straps are attached to bib, cut around the lower part of the diamond. Note: Leave straps connected to each other; they will become the apron neck strap. 3. Remove zipper and open front crotch seam just enough to lay flat. Lap right front over left. Sew over crotch seam. 4. Cut a scrap of denim large enough to fill the space at the bottom of the front crotch seam. Serge or zigzag edges to finish. Position on wrong side of apron, and arrange seam over scrap and sew in place. 5. Determine desired width of apron. Cut back legs on each side to create sides/back of apron, leaving enough for 3/8-inch seam allowance. Serge or zigzag raw edges then turn under seam allowance and straight stitch. Note: It may be necessary to reposition back pockets. 6. Measure bottom width of apron. Cut and join two 6 1/2-inch bias strips to equal 2 1/2 times this measurement for bottom ruffle. Finish one long edge and both short edges of ruffle with 4-thread overlock or zigzag stitches. Set serger to narrow 3-thread with a short stitch length. Edge-finish remaining edge. If completing by sewing machine, use a narrow double-turn hem to finish. Turn short edges under 1/4 inch and straight-stitch in place. 7. Machine-baste across 4-thread serged or zigzagged long edge of ruffle. Pull bobbin thread to gather ruffle to fit. Sew ruffle to bottom of apron using a 1/2-inch seam allowance. 8. Measure across apron waist (belt area); cut remaining 6 1/2-inch bias strip this length. Finish both long raw edges. Pull strip through belt loops, allowing it to gather and pleat naturally. Pin raw ends in place at sides of apron. 9. For ties, fold each 4 x 35-inch bias strip in half lengthwise, right sides together. Sew long edges together using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. With seam in center of strip, sew across one short edge. Turn right side out and press. With right sides together and raw edges even, sew end of each tie to apron sides over raw ends of belt. 10. For each 2 1/2-inch-wide bias-trim strip, press in half lengthwise with wrong sides together. Open and press raw edges to center crease, then refold and press to make 5/8-inch-wide bias trim. 11. Remove buckles from straps. Center a length of bias trim down the length of each strap and sew along both edges, crisscrossing at joined ends of straps. Knot each raw end and tie excess in a bow. Replace buckles, adjusting strap length to fit. 12. Machine- or hand-embroider themed words or motifs randomly on apron front to personalize. Also embroider frayed scraps of denim and stitch on apron. Note: This can be done to cover preexisting embroidery on bibs. Copyright © February 2009 Sewing Savvy magazine.. All Rights Reserved. Click here for a printer-friendly version.

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