Make a free motion sewing apron and kitchen towel gift set. This apron and tea towel gift set features hand embroidery, printing on fabric and free motion sewing. None of which are complicated once you learn the basics. My first free style sewing experience was with circles similar to this project.
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Fast forward a few projects – I gained confidence and learned about new tools, like the free motion foot for your sewing machine. UM HELLO game changer! I picked the foot that matched my sewing machines specs and went to town on scrap fabric. Seriously, if you go slow and take your time you can sew almost any shape. At first I used a disappearing ink marking pen to draw mine. I remember when I sewed my first circles and I graduated to these shapes after a few dozen projects and many fails. Just remember to take your time and be comfortable making it imperfect. When you are sewing free-form it is not supposed to be stressful.
Now as for the printing on fabric – my little sister is a millennial and puffy hearts Devo and I really like puns. Thus, the wisk and the sayings were born. Printing on fabric is very easy too. Buy a package of Ink jet fabric for printing. I like to print multiple projects on one sheet to make the fabric economical. Follow the package directions and you cannot go wrong. Well, maybe you can but it is pretty straight forward.
For the kitchen towel I simply drew the pattern. If you are not comfortable winging it, find a pattern that you like online and use it. Look for a post for detailed instructions on the tea towel soon.
Basic supplies for free motion sewing apron:
- 3/8 yard of cotton fabric for the straps.
- Cut 2 side straps – 27 x 3.5 inches (68.5x9cm) or more if needed.
- Cut 1 neck strap – 21 x 3.5 inches (53x 9cm)
- Standard sized tea towel
- Fairfield – Stick Fusible Webbing
- Buttons Galore and More Flat-Backed Buttons, assorted
- Sewing machine and black thread
- Dritz Rotary cutter and self-healing cutting mat
- Circle cutter
- Pom pom trim, rosette and ribbon are optional
- scissors, fabric marking pen, pencil, sewing needle, iron and pressing surface
notes on apron:
- If you dont want to use fabric this is a great place to use a wide ribbon.
- Towels sizes vary slightly between brands but make sure it is large enough to cover your front.
Instructions for free motion sewing apron:
- Iron your dish towel to remove fold marks and wrinkles.
- Sew on the design you want in a corner. I chose a whisk to coordinate with the saying.
- Print out your saying and cut to size. Cut a piece of fusible webbing to the same size. Follow manufacturers direction for adhesion.
- Sew random lines around the saying in a contrasting thread color. Any color works. I happen to like the look of black.
- On the top of the towel; in the section that will go around your waist, gather a few sections of fabric to form gathers or pleates. You can be precise with this or wing it like I do. Pin them in place or wing it and sew them in place. I wing it.
- For the straps; Fold the 3 straps in half lengthwise with right sides together and stitch one end and along the length with a 1/2 inch seam allowance. The other end will be left open.
- Clip the corners and turn the straps right way out. Give the straps a press.
- Push the raw ends of the straps inside by 1/2 inch (12mm) and press. This way you will have no raw edges to fray in the wash. Stitch across.
- For the neck strap, sew it on the wrong side of the top of the apron. Overlap it over the edge by 1/2 inch (12mm). You might want to sew the first side and double-check the length before sewing the second side. back-stitch the ends well so your strap lasts lots of washes and wears.
- Attach the open ends of the side straps and back-stitch the ends.
- I added a rosette and pom-pom trim for additional decoration.
These are other fun free motion sewing projects.
For us visual learners, it would be helpful to see someone wearing the finished apron. Thanks!