I started making my apron last weekend on Saturday, January 22nd. Because there was not much fabric of the same pattern left, I decided to make an apron using two patterns with solid colored fabric in the center and a fabric with a pattern of my choice on either end.

In the middle of the week, I used brown paper to create a pattern for my apron. I planned for my apron to be a size L according to the provided sizing table, but I decided to use the measurements for a size XL so that I could fold the fabric to create a hem at the ends and sides of the apron. I also wanted to account for the fact that I struggled to cut the fabric straight when practicing with other fabrics. A picture of my final pattern with the three parts of the apron cut into separate papers is included below.

 

After, I laid each pattern paper on top of its respective fabric and began to pin the edges of the paper into the fabric along the lines I planned to cut the fabric. I made sure that I centered the paper onto a large size of fabric to ensure that I had enough fabric for each portion of the apron. I pinned the fabric to the paper, inserting a pin every few inches to ensure that the paper was securely attached to the fabric once I began cutting. When I was ready to cut the fabric, I used a metal ruler and aligned the fabric with a line on the grid sewing mat to ensure the cut was straight. A picture of the cutting process is depicted below.

Then, I left the fabric pinned to the pattern paper and returned a later day in the week to begin sewing. On the next day, I cut the neck and side tie straps. The measurements were made roughly by placing the strap material around my neck to measure the length that I wanted the apron to hang from my neck. I decided I wanted the apron to be mid-chest level and cut accordingly. For the side tie straps, I measured the strap material to the length of my waist and cut them evenly.

Next, I pinned the parts of the apron together with about an inch of fabric on remaining to allow for room for the stitches once I began to sew. After pinning, I began to sew the pieces of the apron together slowly with the side of the fabric that would be the inside of the apron facing the needle, removing the pins as I moved along the fabric. Pictures of the orientation of the fabric as I began sewing and two of the materials sewn together are shown below.

After, I attached the final piece of the apron to the other two pieces. A picture of my apron without the straps and hemming is attached below.

During this process, I made a good number of mistakes. Firstly, I did not draw a line on the fabric for me to follow as I was cutting the fabric on the pattern paper. This would have helped make the lines a bit straighter so I would not have to correct this in the hemming process. Additionally, I accidentally touched the pizza cutter and nicked my finger, so I should have been safer with the sewing process. Moreover, I did not always control the speed of the sewing machine efficiently and stitching was not straight much of the time. I attempted to correct this by undoing stitches and repeating the sewing process for a few of my mistakes. I also had issues with the sewing machine that required rethreading the needle and setting up the bobbin for which I used the manual and videos to aid in the process.

The next day, I began the hemming process by folding the fabric inward once and pinning, using the grid mat, and drawing a line following the measurements on the inside of the fabric to ensure the fold was straight. A picture of the finished pinned hems is attached below.

After sewing along the hems, following the same process of removing the pins as I fed the fabric to the sewing machine slowly, I worked on completing the box stitch to attach the neck strap. I practiced on the sewing practice sheets provided and then began to sew the straps. In this process, I noticed that a lot of thread was building up on the front of the apron. I cut the remainder thread, but I was unsure how to correct this process. A picture of my box stitch for both the front and the back of the apron is attached.

   

After having completed my apron, I began to correct some stitches by undoing them and restitching. I also tried to cut loose fabric. In this process, I ended up cutting a hole into my apron which is pictured below. Although I tried to fix the whole by sewing, I was unsuccessful.

Through this process, I was definitely able to improve my ability to use a sewing machine, attach the fabric, and sew different stitches. It was also fun to try different patterns and see how they would turn out. A picture of my final apron is attached below.

For the cost estimate of my apron, I would include the cost of the fabrics used, the strap material used, the thread used, the sewing machine, the scissors, the seam ripper, and the labor and time used to make the apron. I would estimate the cost of a yard of two fabrics to be $20. The strap material would most likely be $3 as determined by researching online. The thread would most likely be a $1. The sewing machine costs approximately $200. The scissors cost approximately $5. The seam ripper costs $5. The labor and the time used to make the apron would most likely be $20. Thus, the total cost to make the apron would be $255. However, the sewing machine may not be included as it is supplied by the OEDK.