For this assignment, I received a LOT of help from the TA. It was the first time I used a sewing machine, and the outcome was somewhat mediocre, but I developed an interest in learning how to better myself in this skill, so I count that as a win.
To start with, I chose a lavender-white plaid/gingham fabric. In retrospect, that fabric is too thin to be a functional apron, so if I did this again, I would definitely use a thicker fabric. I measured and cut the fabric according to the measurements provided, I used the numbers for the “medium” size.
First, I followed the instructions in the HW Google doc to wind the bobbin. While that step was smooth, I failed to insert it properly. I spent about 15 minutes on it, before I asked for help from the TA. Once the TA figured it out, she taught me how to do it myself.
Then I started sewing on spare fabric, but the machine kept stopping midway.
I had to make another bobbin (I do not know the actual name, maybe thread holder?) and loop that thread through the needle, rather than the thread on the spool pin. I tried again, and this time the machine worked.
I used a few pins to try to fold the edge in a uniform manner. I wanted to press it down, but I could not find the iron, so I just proceeded.
An advantage of the gingham fabric was that the grid line provided a line to follow to keep my stitches straight. I sewed the edges, and I double-folded the top to hide some very messy stitches.
Then I box-stitched the straps on. It was very hard to make those small box stitches. Then, cut the extra thread hanging out all over the fabric and cleaned up the workspace. Voila, I was done!
Once I wore the apron, I realized that the strap around the neck was too long, so perhaps one day I will go back to the apron and try to fix that issue.
Cost analysis:
| Cost Type | Cost | Price | Source | Quantity | Total |
| Materials | Cotton Fabric (34” x 24”) | 3.99 | Michaels | 0.5 | 1.98$ |
| Straps (30”) | 5.29 | Michaels | 0.08 | 4.23$ | |
| Scissors | 6.39 | Michaels | 1 | 6.39$ | |
| Thread (1x) | 1,99 | Michaels | 1 | 2.90$ | |
| Singer tradition Sewing Machine | 124.99 | Amazon | 1 | 124.99$ | |
| Labor | Tailor | 21/hr | ZipRecruiter | 3 hr | 63$ |
| Total | 203.49 $ |
Picture of clean workspace:
