For the first project of ENGI 210, we were given the task to make an apron with a sewing machine. I’ve only done hand sewing before back in middle school to make a mouse pad, so I was nervous getting started on this project.
Step 1: Cutting out the fabric
I referred to the size chart to get the approximate dimensions of the fabric, and sketched it out first on a piece of note. Then I used a tape measure to measure my waistband and adjusted the length a bit so that it fits me better. I also added half an inch to each side of the apron considering the layer that will be folded and sewed to prevent from fraying.
I marked the dimensions of the apron on the pattern paper first and cut it out. Following along the edges of the paper, I drew the outline on the fabric and cut it out using fabric scissors, as well as the neck strap and side tie straps.
Step 2: Sewing the edges and straps
As I initially planned, I folded around half an inch of fabric for each edge to hem the borders. I taped it so it keeps its shape while I run the sewing machine.
As shown below, I hemmed the edges of the fabric.
For the straps, I used a box stitch. I first drew the pattern on the strap and followed along the lines with the sewing machine.
Step 3: Adding a pocket
To customize my apron, I wanted to add a small pocket in the front. I cut out the fabric in a rectangular shape that fits the size of my apron and hemmed the edges again. Then I laid the pocket on the apron and sewed the sides and bottom edges of it.
And then finally … the apron is done!!
Challenges and Potential Improvements
The biggest challenge overall was in setting up the sewing machine before running. For some reason the thread got tangled up inside the machine where we insert the bobbin and was stuck, so I had to take it out and cut out the tangled parts, and put it back inside several times. Also, the needle kept losing its thread for the first few trials, so I had to thread the needle again every time I restarted the machine.
Also, in terms of hemming the edges, some of them were not straight and the gap between the thread and the edge of the apron was not inconsistent. So did the box stitches. The first attempt wasn’t perfect; as I sewed forward and reverse along the same edge, the lines didn’t overlap, which was especially difficult to do for diagonal sides. However, the shape improved after a few more trials.
Another mistake that I made was that when I was attaching the pocket, one of the stripes was underneath the area I was sewing so the strap got attached to the fabric.
I had to rip off the strap and re-attach the fragment of the strap. I used the box stitch to put the pieces back together.
Cost Analysis
- 4 hours of labor: $10 x 4 = $40
- fabric (one yard): $5 (JOANN)
- thread : ~$0.5 (JOANN)
- strap: $3 (JOANN)
- TOTAL: ~$50
