The “Pitching In And Helping Out” Apron

A local fundraiser was coming up. I really wanted to donate something to help out, so I decided on this vintage apron from 1953. I, of course, just happened to have this vintage rick rack in my stash. I thought it would match perfectly with this fabric. The pinks in the fabric matched the pink in the rick rack, but the rick rack also had gold running through it. This matched the gold accents on the fabric. Some pairings are just meant to be.

I decided to make View 1.

The pattern had three pieces, the main body, the pocket, and the pocket facing. I looked ahead in the directions to see what the pattern wanted me to use for the neck strap and the back ties.

As you can see from the picture below the pattern called for the straps to be made of cotton twill tape. Of course I had some, but I thought the apron would look better with straps made out of fabric. I decided I would do my own thing when I got to that point.

Laying out the pieces. The pocket was a fun design with it’s shape. When sewn together and onto the apron it would make a “V” shape.

Most patterns say to “Place on straight of fabric” or “Place along grain of fabric”, when laying out your pieces. When the fabric has a design I try to line up the arrow with a design and then where it is repeated further on the fabric. When working with a solid I have to pay attention to the actual grain of the fabric.

This time I lined it up with the little purse on the right, and used a ruler to make sure it hit the repeated pattern further down on the fabric.

Sewing the pocket facing onto the pocket.

Marking the pocket placing in blue chalk.

With the pocket lined up with the blue chalk markings, I carefully placed and pinned the decorative rick rack around the outside of the pocket.

I cut fabric strips 3 inches wide. One for the neck and two for the back ties. I sewed them right sides together and flipped them right side out.

There are lots of tools and tricks that people use to do this. For me the easiest way has been to use this pair of hemostats. They are a medical tool used in surgical procedures to control bleeding. I’ve found that they grab onto fabric well, and without tearing it, making it easy to turn something right side out.

Where did I get a pair of hemostats, you might be wondering. Well it just so happens that my Grandma was a nurse. This particular pair weren’t hers, I have no idea where hers went after she passed away. These belonged to one of her friends, who was also a nurse. When her friend went into an assisted living facility, the family asked me if I wanted some of her sewing things. Of course I said yes. The hemostats were with her sewing stuff, so the tool and idea came from Grandma’s friend.

Here’s my Grandma, born Barbara Bowers, married and became Barbara Ankele, and remarried and became Barbara Banich. This photo is from 1955, two years after this apron pattern. This is her nursing school graduation photo.

Here she is with Grandpa Nick, (who I was named after) shortly before she passed away. She worked at the Dos Palos Hospital. After I was married, I discovered that she had helped deliver and care for my husband, Michael, when he was born. She had signed his baby book. A very wonderful discovery. Small town stuff.

But back to the apron and the sew I go!

I attached the straps to the neck and the sides for the back ties. I then carefully pinned on the decorative rick rack around the apron top.

The apron was finished, and the event is this!

My kids have already graduated high school, but it’s a good event to be a part of. Besides, Michael and I are both DPHS graduates, as were my parents before me.

But since my blog is about sewing, and how my family history is woven in to almost each thing I sew, as well as myself, here are two of my favorite Dos Palos High School graduates. Grandpa Bert, from the Dos Palos High Class of 1943, and Grandma Doris, from the Dos Palos High Class of 1946.

Here are their senior pictures.

Small town stuff. But small town stuff also means pitching in and helping when you can.

So maybe you can show up, pitch in, have some fun at bingo, and win this apron!

Here’s a closer look.

The rick rack goes all the way to the back ties, which look better to me than cotton twill tape.

I was happy with how the tucked rick rack around the pocket turned out.

Let’s not forget the tag, so you know it’s an original! HA!

I hope you decide to come out and support this event!

But maybe you don’t live in Dos Palos, or nearby. Maybe you’re a Dos Palos High School graduate and want to give back. Or maybe you just want to support a good cause, well have I got a plan for you!

Venmo me any dollar amount you would like to contribute to Dos Palos High School’s Sober Grad, and I will enter you to win a “Sewing With Grandma” original cross body bag of your choice!

You might recognize some of the fabrics from previous posts! These two zipper pocketed cross body bags are fun and comfortable to wear.

Here’s my Venmo if you want to contribute and be entered to win!

A winner will be chosen Thursday, February 9, 2023. If you are out of town and a winner, I will send you the bag of your choice. Even if you’re in England!

Good Luck!

As for me, onto the next!