The first journey into BIOE677 was learning the basics of the sewing machine, aka the first fabrication device that allowed people to create in the home at low costs! For this project I created an apron, a process that took about five hours (mostly due to my detail-oriented nature), that I’ll be able to use for the duration of the course and beyond.

Preparation

After getting my measurements and drawing out a pattern, I started with tracing it all out on butcher paper (folded in half to ensure even sides). I found it a struggle to keep the butcher paper in place – it kept wanting to roll back up – so after lots of tape we were good to go. I cut the paper out and then lay it on top of my in-half-folded fabric before taping in place. I used the fabric chalk to trace the edge and trace the pattern + .5″ to account for hemming. Once this was complete, I was able to spend some time pinning the hems in place (and getting poked by stray pins). It was really cool to see it once that part was done! Minus the thread that would create the hem and the straps, my apron looked like it could be a finished product at this point once the edges were all folded in. At this stage I also cut my straps (both neck and waist).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You sew girl! 

My next portion was getting the sewing machine all set up and ready. I wound and threaded the bobbin with my desired string then did a couple practice rounds on a scrap. This practice was actually kind of vital since our machine was acting up in class on the practice day and we kept having to rethread the needle or fix the bobbin, leaving little time to truly practice. My bout with the sewing machine was mostly successful in my opinion! My lines were fairly straight and I only had to take out a couple stitches when I’d forget to lock in the foot plate and the string would get doubled up due to the fabric not being held in place.

I next had to learn the box stitch, and after some Youtube tutorials found myself feeling ready. I started with the waist ones, assuming they would have lower visibility in case of a mess up, then moved up to the neck. In all, they turned out pretty well! My waist straps may be considered going the wrong direction, but that’s neither here nor there.

 

 

Putting on the apron once it was a completed item felt euphoric… there I was, wearing something I had just created from scratch. Crazy.

Cost = ~$77.58

Materials-

  Fabric: $6.99/yd @ 1yd = $6.99

  Strap: $3.99/yd @ 2yd = $7.98

  Thread: $1.99/125yd @ 7yd = $0.11

Sewing Machine/Facilities Overhead- assuming $5/hr @ 5hrs = $25

Labor- $7.5/hr @ 5hrs = $37.5

 

In sum, the sewing tips past me would’ve found helpful are: 1) don’t forget to put down the foot plate, 2) halving the pattern and fabric and using chalk makes for an easier process, and 3) it’s more fun when you have a sewing buddy to chat with along the way (shoutout Asma & Jhalak)!