For our first project, we were tasked with designing and sewing an apron! I had never really engaged with a sewing machine (or an iron), so I learned a lot from this project.

The first step was to create a template, or pattern, to use to cut the fabric into an apron shape. I started by selecting a nice, red piece of fabric, then I took measurements of myself, which I used to measure and cut out an apron cutout on a piece of paper. Using the newly created pattern, I outlined my fabric with chalk and cut out the shape. Finally, I create my double hem by folding the fabric edges, ironing them, and pinning them down. One thing I learned in this step was about relief cuts: when hemming curves, make vertical cuts to allow the fabric to stretch.

The second step was a painful trial-and-error with a spiteful machine from hell… wait, I meant sewing. In this step, I used a sewing machine to hem and strap on. All was well when I started: I set up the machine and practiced on a few scraps with no issues. Then I started hemming… I wouldn’t get more than three stitches in before the string would catch or randomly get cut, the bobbin would get tangled, stitches wouldn’t hold for some reason, and many more horrors. Yet, I persevered and finally got some good stitching around my apron. Then I measured the strap length and positioning on the apron and went to stitch them down. However, the torture didn’t end, as the box stitches didn’t want me to succeed, as I stitched, cut those stitches, and restitched too many times. Cutting my losses (no pun intended), I tried again the next day. When I returned, the sewing machine realized I was pure of heart and actually worked. While my box stitching techniques were a little rough to begin with, I got the hang of it by box three. One important step in this process is backstitching to secure the beginning and end of the stitch line.

The final, ✨bonus✨ step was getting a pouch and a tool holder. I began by creating a pattern for the pouch, following the same process as in step one. After creating the pattern and cutting the fabric, I moved to hem and stitch the pouch, preparing it for attachment to my apron. I then successfully attached the pouch to the apron. Wanting to do more because I LOVE myself, I added a tool holder. Using the same strap material, I cut and sewed down a little holder.

I learned a lot from this first project. In addition to practicing with a sewing machine and an iron, I became more comfortable with trial-and-error processes and making mistakes. While I’m comfortable with prototyping and iterating, when it came to cutting the material or measuring, I took a little too long, worried about making it perfect the first time. While accuracy and precision are important, being comfortable with manufacturing is a crucial skill I learned. Some things I would’ve done differently were making the waist straps longer and the apron both longer and wider, practicing more ahead of time, especially with the box stitches, and STARTING EARLIER! Anyways, enough rambling, here’s the final product:

Me when I mis en the place:

Mis en Place Machine à Coudre (That’s sewing maching in French)

Project Cost Breakdown