“HOW” You Can Make A Difference

I was asked again if I would like to make something and contribute it to a charitable event. Of course I did. It was again for the Los Banos HOW (Helping One Woman) organization. My blog post from September 7, 2023, was my first contribution to the HOW program. (See previous blog post, “What We Give”.) Here’s some information about the upcoming event in case you want to get involved.

The reason behind the dinner.

If you’re not in the area and want to contribute….

In the spirit of faith and hope let us move on with a sew!

Kira was spending lots of time with me in my sewing room, and I had her go through my patterns and look for a mother/daughter apron. She found this one from 1966, and picked out fabric for it. She went with this Princess and the Frog Disney fabric. We both thought it would be cute and after all, Tiana, the main character had dreams of opening her own restaurant. Who better to be on an apron than her!

I had pulled the pattern out of my pattern cabinet and took a good look at the front. It sure did look familiar. Upon further inspection I noticed that is was the same pattern I had just used to make an apron for Mia with! (See last week’s post, “Strawberry Girl”.)

Here they are so you can see for yourself. Mia’s pattern is from 1959, and sneaky Simplicity released the same pattern, although refashioned, in 1966.

I cut out the pattern and realized there were a few differences. The instructions for sewing on the pocket were different. I preferred the 1959 way. The 1959 pattern called for the apron ties to be sew onto the front using tucks. The 1966 pattern had darts that the apron ties would be sewn into. Lastly, the 1959 pattern had the ties constructed by hemming the raw edges and putting a pleat in the end where it attached to the apron front. In the 1966 version, the ties are sewn right sides together and flipped.

The 1966 version didn’t call for the trim or rick rack to decorate the apron with. I liked the rick rack on Mia’s apron so I decided to keep the trim option for these aprons.

I had this gingham bias tape that matched the apron and decided to use it. (Thanks again Grandma Doris, she has great stuff in her sewing collection!)

I figured out after sewing the trim on the first apron’s pocket that I wouldn’t have enough for apron #2’s pocket or the trim around the neck. I had to get creative.

I opened the bias tape and cut it down the center fold. This gave me two pieces instead of one.

I ironed it flat then ran it through this nifty little gadget, a bias tape maker.

I was back in business and sewing trim on apron #2.

Pinning on the pocket, the 1959 way.

One apron got the tuck method, one got the darts.

Ties firmly attached to the front.

Both aprons have neck facings. Here is a picture of how they are put together.

The raw edge is folded and sewn. In clothing, there is usually interfacing in them. It’s not necessary for something as informal as an apron.

Both aprons have a button in the back to help it close.

Here they are! Mother/daughter aprons for someone to enjoy!

I hope that many memories and lots of fun are made in these aprons. I hope even more that they help Andrew and his family.

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”~Charles Dickens

As for me, onto the next!