Sahana’s Apron

Hello!

This assignment was my very first time using a sewing machine and making a piece of clothing from scratch, and while it is more complicated than I anticipated, it was also far more enjoyable than I expected.

I have hand stitched before, but the machine is definitely more efficient (as long as you don’t have issues with the bobbin or thread – which I definitely did).

To begin creating an apron. I began with a 1.5 yd piece of fabric, and used a pen and measuring tape to mark where I should make cuts to create the classic ‘apron’ shape. Shown below are the design and measurements that I made to cut out the pattern from the original fabric. Measurements were made with consideration that I will be folding over the edges for stitching.

Figure 1: Planned pattern with measurements for trimming/cutting the fabric

Once the pattern was cut, I folded over approximately ½’’ of the jagged, cut edge, all along the edges of the apron (all sides) so that I could begin sewing a seam. I used pins to secure the folds in place.

Figure 2: Folded edge with pins to hold fold prior to/during sewing

After all the raw edges were folded over and secured with pins, I began feeding the first edge into the sewing machine. The settings that I used on the machine were a stitch length of 0.5, tension of 2, stitch width of 2, and the most simple stitch pattern (straight line).

I could tell something was slightly off when I started creating my first stitches using the machine, and quickly identified that I forgot to put down the presser foot. This made it very difficult to keep the fabric moving forward in a straight line, despite my best efforts. 

The fabric also did not remain flush with the bottom needle plate, and as a result, these stitches looked very messy (see below).

Figure 3: Stitches made without presser foot down

(stay tuned, because I later used this mistake as a way to learn a new technique)

I removed the fabric from the machine, and cut off the poorly made stitches, in an attempt to try again. This time being very intentional about putting the presser foot lever down.

I was then able to produce really neat, straight, and uniform stitches around all sides of the apron (see below for a close up of the improved stitching).

Figure 4: Neat stitches made with presser foot lever depressed

Next, I begin preparing my straps. I cut 3 pieces of maroon fabric in 2’’ x 30’’ rectangles.

I folded each piece of fabric in half so that they would be 1’’ x 30’’ pieces, and pinned them in place to maintain the fold. I also loosely measured the neck strap, by placing it around my neck and marking where I wanted the apron to hit on my chest. I used this measurement to trim the neck strap, lengthwise, by approximately 8’’. *subtle foreshadowing for later*

I then sewed all the straps, so they would be permanently folded over, and now be thick enough to be functional as a strap (around the neck and waist).

Figure 5: Stitched strap

Next, I began my mission to create box-stitches in order to secure the straps to the apron.

While creating my first box stitch on one of the waist straps, I made the mistake of lifting the needle out of the fabric, not just the presser foot lever, when I wanted to turn the fabric to change directions in order to create the box shape.

This made it really hard to realign the needle back where it was, therefore, I ended up plunging the needle slightly off from where it was before, and therefore created a box stitch that looked slightly different than a traditional box shape.

Figure 6: Box stitch error when needle was lifted during process

In my subsequent attempts, when I wanted to change stitching direction, I only lifted the presser foot but kept the needle plunged while I rotated the fabric. This resulted in much nicer box stitches, that were in fact the classic ‘box shape’.

Figure 7: Corrected box stitch

After completing all the box stitches to secure the waist straps and also the neck straps, I wore the apron and noticed that the neck strap was longer than I had wanted, and the apron sat lower on my chest than I had expected. In order to fix this, I folded over the neck strap by about an inch, and stitched the fold to shorten the overall length. I wore the apron again and decided that I wanted the neck strap even shorter, so I created another fold next to the previous one, and stitched over the fold once again. 

Figure 8: Folded & stitched neck strap to reduce the length

After a final trial and check, I was pleased with the length!

Figure 9: Final length of the apron on body, with adjusted neck strap length

With the functional parts of the apron complete, I was excited to customize my final product to make it unique and more personal. Using a square scrap piece of maroon fabric (approximately 2’’ x 2’’), I used a pen to write my initials on it (‘SR’), and then attempted to use the sewing machine to stitch my initials on the patch by following the pen markings.

Using my learnings from my very first mistake, I knew that if I left the presser foot lever up, I would have the freedom to move and turn the patch while the machine was stitching. I took advantage of this, and very slowly stitched the letters into the fabric. 

Figure 10: Monogrammed patch

Then, I stitched the monogrammed piece to the bottom right corner of the apron.

Here is the finished apron!

Figure 11: Completed apron!

Final Thoughts:

My finished apron, while not perfect, taught me patience, creativity, and a new skill! 

And while my attempt to personalize my apron with my initials is not even close to flawless, I’m really proud that I was able to stitch something that even remotely looks like an ‘SR’, considering this was my first time using a sewing machine!

Detailed below is my cost analysis for this sewing project, the total cost came to $114.71. In reflection, the cost of labor definitely can/will be reduced by employing someone with any level of experience rather than a first-timer.

Cost Analysis:

Type Item Price Source Quantity Total
Materials Fabric  $2.15/yd Walmart 1.5 yds $3.23
Thread $2.48/spool (300 yds) Walmart 10 yds $2.48
Labor Sewing Operator $14/hr ZipRecruiter 6 hrs $84
Overhead Facility Cost (Machine Time) $25/day The Camp Couture 1 day $25
Design Engineering & Development Custom Self 1 hr
Final Cost $114.71

Here is a picture of my clean workspace after I finished the apron:

Figure 12: Clean workspace

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