Back in April, Craft Hope announced that their next project would be Aprons for Haiti. What fun, and such a great idea!
You may remember that I did my first project for Craft Hope, bags for The Littlest Warriors. The Littlest Warriors collected 3791 hats and 2745 bags. What a great feeling it is to have some of my toddler totes in that mix!
So, back to Aprons for Haiti...oh I had such good intentions and many ideas, and now, today is the deadline. I have been so busy around here that I only started to make my aprons on Tuesday! And, I have to tell you, at first I almost didn't. I almost didn't start making them at all because I knew I was going to be late for the deadline. I knew I wasn't going to have enough time to make more than two (I had wanted to make several). But then, I thought about it and realized that two is more than zero. I could sit back and say, I'm late, I don't have time, or I could sit up and do what I could with what I had. So, in the end, a little late and less than what I expected, I have my aprons done. And, goodness, I am so glad I didn't decide to bag it all, because just yesterday Jade, of Craft Hope, announced that they were extending the deadline until the end of June! So, there you go, they aren't late and I might even have a chance to get a couple more made.
These aprons are super simple and quick to make. Perfect for if you want to whip some up quickly before the end of June to donate.
I found these super cheerful and bright tea towels on a recent trip to Ikea and couldn't resist them. I thought they would make perfect aprons!
These towels are about 29" x 20", of course you can make this apron with fabric as well, just cut it to that size.
First, lay towel flat with the wrong side facing up. Fold top corners toward the wrong side and press. Trim off the corner one inch away from the pressed line.
Fold raw edge toward the wrong side and line it up with your pressed line (~1/2"). Press and then fold and press again 1/2" toward the wrong side.
Repeat on with the other corner and then edge stitch the sides.
Cut two strips of fabric, one 4" wide and one 3"wide from selvage to selvage for the neck and waist straps. *Note: My fabric was 60" wide so if your fabric is 42"/44" you may want to cut four strips instead and skip the step where you cut your straps in half. Fold the 4"wide strap in half long ways with right sides together. Press and sew along the raw edges with a 1/4" seem allowance. Fold the strap in half and then cut into two shorter straps. Use a chopstick to turn the straps right side out. Fold the raw edges of the short sides in about 1/4" press the strap and top stitch all the way around both straps. You now have your waist straps finished. Pin and sew at the bottom of your newly sewed sides for the bib of the apron.
Next, make the neck strap. Fold 3" strip in half long ways with wrong sides together this time and press. Open strip and press raw edges toward the wrong side and line up with the center pressed seam. Fold in half again.
Now cut the long strip in half to make two shorter ones. Fold in short raw edges about 1/4" inside and top stitch around the entire strap. Pin and sew your two neck straps at the top of your apron.
Almost done...time to make the pocket. Cut out one piece of fabric 10"(H) x 11"(W). Fold and press all edges 1/4" to the wrong side and then again. Top stitch across the top (where the opening will be) of your pocket. Next fold the bib part of your apron down behind the bottom part to help with placement of your pocket.
Pin your pocket on about an inch below the fold line. And sew it on. (I sewed my pocket on with a double seam to ensure it wouldn't rip off from multiple uses. )
And there you go, apron done...
This is why we placed the pocket after folding the bib down, so you can wear your apron either way, bib up or down, and still have access to the pocket.
Aprons are so hard to take pictures of...
The cool thing about using a tea towel...there is a built in hook to hang your apron up!
I'd love you know if you try this apron!
And, if you are interested in making some aprons this month before the deadline go check out Craft Hope's facebook page or go to the Haiti by Hand website to get some information and see some of the many aprons that have already been made, it's a great cause!
Need some more apron inspiration? Fat Quarter Apron, Artisan Apron, Unisex Apron, Reversible Apron
