New Aprons!

I made Caroline a new apron to wear when we're out to dinner and she's wearing a nice dress. (Eating and keeping her clothes clean is not a skill she's mastered yet....although truthfully, I don't know that I have mastered it either!)
I decided to follow a cute pattern instead of just winging it like I have in the past.
I made the top a bit too big, but really like how it turned out.

This is the pattern I used (with a slightly modified back).

http://www.youcanmakethis.com/products/author/MTAzOTQ1ODA0OA==/nana-retro-pinafore-sizes-6mths-8yrs.htm

This purple apron I made for my sister-in-law's niece. It was pretty easy and quick and would recommend this for a good everyday apron. It's basically a chef's apron that I added a gathered skirt to to make it a bit more girly.

How to Make it...

Modified Chef’s Apron with gathered skirt.

Cut 4 4 inch X 22 inch strips for the top straps and side straps.

For each strap, Fold it in half, right sides together. Stitch along the long end. Pull right side out. Press. Fold in one end of the strap and sew to finish it off.  Do this with all four strips.

Cut out 2 “top half” pieces of the chef’s apron, with about 2 inches below the part where you attach the side straps (instead of the full length you see below).  It’s best to cut it out of newspaper first, put it up to your child, adjust, and then cut.

You can see an example of the chef's pattern shape here -

When you cut the pattern out of fabric, allow about ½ inch for your seam allowance.

 

With the right side of one of the unfolded apron pieces facing up, lay the apron strings in the appropriate places, facing IN, raw edges matching and strings toward the center. Pin them in place as shown below in the picture above. Lay the other apron piece on top, right sides facing. Stitch along both sides and the top leaving the bottom open.

 

Cut a large rectangle for the skirt.  Fold over the sides twice and sew. Add a different color at the botton if you wish (about a 4 inch piece and the folded over.)

Gather the skirt. Fold the bottom part of the top under. Adjust gathers of the skirt and insert into the top with folds going over the gathers. Sew along bottom folded edge of the top to attach the skirt to the top of the apron. .