This is my first time using a sewing machine to complete an entire workpiece. I only used hand-sewing techniques to make my couch pillow in junior high school a while ago. Growing up and visiting the sewing shop with my mom, I saw the work done by the proficient sewer and always wondered how, in the world, the finger wouldn’t get caught in the machine.
Training before making the apron
Big shout out to Dr. Wettergreen and the TAs in the prototyping class for preparing us to sew our own apron. The introductory video provided before the class is really helpful in understanding the mechanism of a sewing machine and how a bobbin works inside the machine. After the class training, we are ready to install the bobbin into the sewing machine and start sewing our own apron!
My first line stitch and box stitch on a sewing machine. It is actually better than I expected!!
Here we go! This is how i made my first apron
1. choose my pattern
Since I have no experience using the sewing machine, I looked through the requirements of the apron assignment for beginners and some other online sources to figure out how I will start making my apron. I followed the instructions provided by Video: Apron + Free Pattern by Made Everyday with Dana. The pattern provided the instructions to make a pocket, but I decided not to do it for a cleaner design and to focus more on getting my sewing techniques right.
As a sewing beginner, I decided to use an apron pattern online. Credit to MadeEveryday with Dana.
2. Print the pattern
I got the pattern printed out in Fondren Library, but I forgot to follow the printing instructions for the pattern. The pattern was not printed at 100% and was shrunk to fit, which caused the pattern to misalign a little bit on the paper. However, I tried my best to align all the printed patterns with paper tape in the odek. It turned out great for me to assist me in getting the body part of the apron cut out from my starting piece of fabric.
This is the pattern layout I chose to follow for my apron design.
3. cut out the fabric
I had the starting fabric folded in half and secured the pattern for the half-apron with sewing pins. Now, I am ready to cut out the central piece of the apron. Next, I measured the necessary length of my neck strap and two waist straps with the body part in the desired position.
4. Hem the edge and start sewing
After getting the body part of the apron and neck strap cut out with scissors, I used another scrap piece of fabric to practice the basics of sewing again before actually sewing my cut fabric. I folded 1/2 inch of fabric two times before sewing it to create a nice and clean edge for my apron. I folded the fabric for the neck strap in half and folded 1/2 inch of the outer edges to form the neck strap. I used sewing pins to secure fabrics in place before sewing the fabric.
This half-complete apron with body part and neck strap took me almost the entire Saturday afternoon (3-hour grind is real). I need to have the waist strap finished next.
5. assemble the neck strap to the body part of the apron
I used box stitches on the two ends of the neck strap to secure it onto the body part of the apron.
I am super proud of the seemingly straight line in this body part section of my apron. Finally, I get to control the speed of the sewing machine with ease.
6. use box stitches to secure two waist straps on the apron
7. clean up the loose thread on the apron and the working environment after work
Reflection after completion
While sewing my own apron, I am more than happy to create my first apron from the sewing machine. However, I do observe several sewing defects that I could clean up in the future.
First, I would like to have better control of the sewing speed of the machine, especially in the area where the fabric is folded, causing greater overall thickness. By sewing with a controlled and slower speed, I can achieve a straighter sewing line with better aesthetics.
Second, I would like to practice making a more square box stitch to make my apron more appealing.
Last, in fulfilling the beginner requirements of the apron assignment, I would like to try to add more practical features into the design of my apron, such as a pocket, zipper enclosures, or adjustable features.
Hurray! This is my FIRST apron, and everything is cleaned after sewing.
Manufacturing cost ANALYSIS
The overall cost of making my own apron is $ 238.98 considering all materials, labor, overhead, and design. With the gained proficiency in using the sewing machine, the cost of sewing time and its associated machine time can be reduced to cut down on the overall cost of the apron.
| Cost Type | Cost | Price | Source | Quantity | Total |
| Materials | Fabric (Black) | $ 6.99 / yd | Joann.com | 1 yd | $ 6.99 |
| Thread | $ 3.99 | Joann.com | 1 | $ 3.99 | |
| Strap | $ 6.99 / yd | Joann.com | 1/4 yd | $ 1.75 | |
| Labor | Sewing Operator | $ 18.25 / hr | Indeed.com (Seamstress) | 5 hr | $ 91.25 |
| Prototyping Engineer (You!) | $ 25/ hr | Indeed.com (Engineering Intern) | 1 hr | $ 25 | |
| Overhead | Facility Cost (Machine Time) | $ 15 / hr | Soul-Collections.com | 5 hr | $ 75 |
| Quality Control | $ 20 / hr | ZipRecruiter.com (Textile Quality Inspector) | 0.5 hr | $ 10 | |
| Design | Engineering and Development | $ 25/ hr | Indeed.com (Engineering Intern) | 1 hr | $ 25 |
Total Cost: $ 238.98
