Clothes Pin Apron

“No scent is better than clothes and linens right off the line.”~Anonymous

I love this apron so much! This innovative design, from 1951, has detachable pockets along with a detachable bodice. This allows the wearer to decide if they want a full apron, or just a waist apron. I was excited to get to work on it. So yes faithful readers, yet another apron. Since I’m making them for Marisa to sell you might be seeing even more. Never fear, the variations of styles that I have will keep it interesting!

I chose this rose fabric that I had in my stash. I thought the rose pattern paired with the polka dots would look very “1951”. I had to open the fabric and cut the skirt piece, it was wide!

The tie strings for the aprons had pleats in them. Here I am marking and pinning.

The bodice had the same shape as the pockets. Here I’ve laid out the pocket pieces.

Pinning the pocket facing to the pocket. This pocket would have to hang off the waist band of the apron.

Now for the second pocket I chose this white fabric. If I had used the rose fabric, the embroidery would not show up. The apron came with embroidery transfers. Typically, transfers are iron on. Since these were 63 years old, I knew they wouldn’t transfer well. I have a light box for such an occasion! Here I am tracing out the clothes pin pattern for the second pocket.

I had to hand embroider the clothes pin design before I could sew the pocket together. I was imagining myself putting this apron to use. I have a clothes line and it would be so handy to button on your clothes pin bag when it was time to hang clothes out!

The pocket needed button holes to be complete.

I would need six buttons for this apron, and chose these red ones. They came off of an old red coat that I bought at a second hand store for 50 cents! I fixed the coat up and changed out the buttons for a new look. I did, of course, keep these old buttons!

Have you ever wondered how a sewing machine sews a button hole? Well wonder no more and enjoy this video of a button home being sewn!

After sewing on the buttons the apron was complete!

The matching, every day pocket. As you can see it can easily be unbuttoned and changed out. You could also take off the bodice for a different look.

A simple bow tie in the back.

The clothes pin pocket attached. So handy!

This apron is so unique in it’s design features. Designers must have put a lot of thought into this design.

I was happy with the way it turned out. If it doesn’t sell at the craft fair I might just keep it for myself! If it does, that’s ok, I have the pattern!

As for me, onto the next!