Nearing the Finish Line

Whew! What a craftganza this has been! I have been knitting and sewing like a maniac for over 5 weeks and I am finally nearing the finish line. I sewed this apron for my aunt-in-law, who is an angel on this earth. I know she likes kitschy prints, just like I do, so I know she'll love this.


On the needles is the second glove to a pair of fingerless gloves I am making for my mum. I made a pair in hot pink for my aunt and a pair in dark charcoal grey for one of my best friends. I wrapped them before I took pictures, though - doh!

My last project on the needles is a lovely woven cowl I'm making for my friend. She loves purple and it was a happy accident to have enough in my stash.

I'll be starting my baking this weekend. I plan on making chocolate gingerbread cake, peppermint bark, brownies, and white chocolate cherry chunkers as gifts.

It's wonderful to see everyone's projects! You are all marvellously inspiring people!

Embroidered Apron

Hello everyone, KraftyKat back again! Yesterday when i showed you my homemade gift tags i promised to be back soon with some actual finished gifts...and here i am! Today i finished an apron which is a present for my boyfriend, who likes to cook (lucky me!).

I made the apron out of cotton canvas that i picked up at the local market. I traced around an apron that we already had to get the shape, cut it out and sealed the raw edges with bias binding. I used contrasting thread for effect.

Those of you who follow my blog will know that i have recently been on a course to learn hand embroidery - i used this new skill to embroider the shape of a chicken on the front of the apron, using thread to match the straps and stitching. To do this I first printed out an outline picture of a chicken (Google is your friend here!) then cut it out and traced around it onto the front of the apron using tailors chalk. I then stitched a simple backstitch around the outline. I think the result is rather effective.

I think the most fiddly part of the whole process was sewing the straps. I folded the raw ends over twice and stitched around them in a box shape to prevent fraying. I then attached them to the apron, trying to sew within the previous stitching like to keep it tidy. It's still not amazingly neat, but it doesn't show up too much so it's all good!

Right, one gift down, 5 to go. Stressed? Me?!

K xx

Christmas Aprons

This year, I'm sewing aprons for the ladies in my family. I am a huge apron-lover and have several in my collection. For these gifts, I have matched the fabrics to the personality of the recipient. The one above is for my mum, who loves red and has recently had her kitchen redone.


This one is for my mother-in-law, who loves all shades of blue. I have two more aprons to make; one for my aunt-in-law and the other for my sister-in-law.

In addition to the aprons, I plan to knit a cup cozy for each. Mollie Makes Issue 7 has some really cute ones.

Christmas Aprons - Done!

I finished my Christmas Aprons today. (I posted about them here recently) They're little extras for the Little Tornado's Nan and Great Nan.

I adapted the pattern a little and added the embroidery to personalise. My first attempt at these, so hopefully they'll go down well! More about it over on my blog

Happy Christmas and a happy, healthy & prosperous 2011 to Tilly and all at The Crafty Christmas Club.
Miss P xxx

Christmas Aprons......

Further progress on my Simplicity 2512 will have to be stalled while I knuckle down to sewing up a couple of little cuties for J's Mum & Nan for Christmas. From my stash I've dug out a lovely chambray for the main fabric and a Cath Kidson floral (which began life as a duvet cover!) for the contrast.

The pattern is Butterick, a collection of 1950's style pinnies that I bought about 2 years ago as a beginner project but never used. The final aprons will be a "fusion" of the styles on the envelope. A half apron, with a wide shaped waistband and ties, with 2 patch pockets, one floral and the other cut from the chambray but emroidered with each of their names.

I didn't like the shape of the waistband piece, so did a little re-shaping of my own. It's testament to what a bit of practice and training can do for your sewing confidence. When I bought this pattern I was too scared to even cut it out, let alone start adapting the design and reshaping the pattern pieces. Hopefully finish these tomorrow....

A Little Smock

I love making this little vintage smock for the little girls in the family. The pattern is free and easy to adapt and personalise. In the past I've made it reversable, with pockets, in plain and print fabrics. It has come out fantastic every time. You can get the pattern here at Mayfly.

This time I have made a little smock for one of the many little girlies in the family out of a single layer of retro print cotton and vintage candy stripe bias binding. I used a single layer this time so it can be worn over a shirt or dress or as a lightweight summer top on its own. Because the pattern is a single piece it is super quick and easy. The odd shape above crosses over at the back and ties at the shoulders.