Fat Quarter Apron - with guest Wani's World

Hello Brassy Apple friends! I'm Wani and I'm so excited that its back to school time again! I love that Brassy Apple is helping us all get back into the school spirit with her Back to 'Cool - DIY Style series. I am happy to be joining in the fun by sharing a tutorial with you all! I hope you like it!

I don't know about you but I really like to wear a pretty apron while I'm cooking or cleaning. It makes me feel fun and flirty instead of gross and dirty - which is more often the case. ;-) So, today I'm going to share with you how to make an apron with just a four fat quarters. Most craft stores sell fat quarters for around $2 each regularly. Or you can get sets of coordinating fat quarters and you can usually find a set for around $5-6 if you catch them on sale or use a coupon. I normally buy my fabric at JoAnn's or Hobby Lobby but the fabric I'm using in this project I actually found on clearance at my local Walmart.

So first I chose the two fabrics to be the front and back of my apron and lay them down with right sides together. I used a paper plate as a guide and trimmed the two bottom corners to be rounded. Then I set these pieces aside while I moved on to the ruffle.

I cut four long strips that were 2-3in wide (depending on how fat you want your ruffle). I sewed them together to make one long strip. Then ironed it in half long ways.

I ran a basting or gathering stitch down the whole thing (actually I did break it up into sections to make the gathering easier). Bit by bit I gathered it as evenly as I could, occasionally I would hold it up to the apron body pieces until it was as long as I needed it to reach all around the apron.

I would recommend pinning the ruffle in between the front and back pieces (right sides together still) at this time. I skipped this step because I couldn't find my pins. Argh! But it turned out alright anyway.

Then stitch all the way around with a 1/4 in seam allowance.

Turn apron right side out and press. Then top stitch all the way around. Technically you could skip the top stitch but I think it gives it a more finished look.

We're getting close! Now for the waistband and straps. *Side note: with these measurements you will get small/medium apron strings - I am a large and I can tie it but not in a pretty bow like I usually wear mine.

I cut one strip 8in x 21in for the waistband and two 5in x 21in for the straps. Take the waistband piece and iron it in half longways. Then open it up and fold either side in to meet at the center crease and iron it again. Then fold to center again and press. Set aside.

The strap pieces you should fold over (right sides together) longways and stitch all the way down leaving one end open. You can have a straight end or you could make angled. I angled mine. Then use a pencil or something and turn them right side out. Press and top stitch.

Its finally coming together now! Place the apron body into the fold of the waistband piece and pin together. Place the straps into either side and pin together. Top stitch all around sealing all the open ends.

TaDa!! This is my cute little man modeling the apron for me because I was wearing pj's and not looking so cute. ;-) But this guy is always cute!

And just because I am cool like that... I am going to be giving away this very apron! I mean, who doesn't love a giveaway? So if you would like to enter the giveaway just visit Wani's World, become a follower and then leave a comment on the giveaway post telling me that you are a follower. Bonus entries if you become a follower of Brassy Apple's blog or facebook and comment telling me so. I'll announce a winner September 6th (after I get back from our Labor Day weekend at the lake!).