Hey there, fellow sewing enthusiasts! Today, I’m going to take you through my journey of creating a stylish apron from scratch using a sewing machine. I’m no expert, so I expected a few bumps along the way, but I’m excited to share both my successes and failures as I document each step. Plus, I’ll break down the costs.
Step 1: Gathering supplies/materials:
- Fabric: $9.99/yard at Joann.
- Neck Strap: 2 feet strap $1.67 on Amazon.
- Waist Strap: $0.36 7-foot waist strap from Amazon .
- Needles: Pack of 5 Singer 90/14 Universal Sewing Needles for $3.47 from Amazon.
- Sewing Machine: Well, I already had one, so I didn’t include that in my costs.
Step 2: Cutting Out the Pattern
Now that we have our supplies, it’s time to cut out the apron pattern. I first measured out on butchers paper a 24″ measurement width for my apron, 36″ length, with 1″ allowances for 1/2″ double folded seams around the edges of the apron. I laid out my fabric and placed the butchers paper on top of the fabric and measured twice (or maybe three times), and cut according to the pattern using the beginners handbook.
Step 3: Sewing the Seams
With my fabric pieces cut out, I put in the pins as a guideline for where I will sew before I began sewing the seams together. It was important for me to take my time here, especially because I was new to sewing. I followed the pattern’s instructions, but I must confess, I had to rip out a few stitches and start over a couple of times. Patience is key!
Step 4: Attaching the Straps
Next, it was time to attach the neck and waist straps. I followed the pattern again but had to redo this step twice because I initially attached them in the wrong places. Oops! Learning from your mistakes is part of the fun, right? Once I made sure it was in the right spots, I sewed the straps together to the fabric with a cross stitching.
Step 6: The Final Product
After a few hours of stitching and some unexpected setbacks, my apron was finally complete! It wasn’t flawless, but I was proud of my creation. I tried it on, and it fit just right. Mission accomplished!
Step 7: Cost Breakdown Let’s tally up the costs:
- Fabric: $9.99
- Neck Strap: $1.67
- Waist Strap: $0.36
- Needles: $3.47
- Labor: $55.64 (Yes, I put a price on my time, and it’s based on the average sewing machine operator rate for beginners! $13.91/hour per Payscale)
- Machine cost: $0.52 (Electricity cost based on sewing time)
Total Cost: $71.65
Conclusion: Making an apron from scratch using a sewing machine was a challenging but rewarding experience. The final product might not be perfect, but it’s a reflection of my effort and newfound sewing skills. And when you consider the cost breakdown, it’s a budget-friendly way to have a custom apron that suits your style. So, grab your sewing machine and give it a try – I promise, the learning process is half the fun!
