June Embroidery Club

Hi Everyone,

I am so sorry that it has taken me so long to add to this blog.  It has been a crazy summer.  My husband and I went into high gear in our ballroom dance studies and I haven't had much time to sew, write, or do much else.  We got tired of going to to dances and looking like clumsy oafs.  We graduated from the beginner classes at the local community center and started studying at a real dance studio in Alexandria, Virginia.  For awhile, we were dancing six days a week.  That was exhausting and after about 2 months, we cut it down to 4 days a week.  So things have calmed down a little and I have the time to catch you all up to what we have been doing at Embroidery Club. 

We started a month long project to make pillowcase dresses for the Pillowcase Project.  Our ladies made 135 dresses that were sent to Uganda to orphan children who have little to no clothes.  Check out the photos at thepillowcaseproject.blogspot.com.  I will write more about the Pillowcase Project on my next blog entry.

I June, we talked about how to make and embroider aprons.  We had handouts on how to make a pillowcase apron, how to make a Half Yard apron,  a Napkin Apron (different than the one I will talk about today). 

Before I talk about the Table Napkin Apron, here's your favorite part... Show & Tell.

Now for our project of the month:  Table Napkin Apron



This apron is so easy to make and would make a lovely wedding gift.  It would be great to have a complete dinner party set that matches the tablecloth and napkins.  Start with two standard sized table napkins.   Try to select napkins that are rather plain and without directional prints.  

1.   From one napkin, cur off the sewn hem from one end and cut four 1 ½” strips from this  side.  This will make up the side and neck ties for the apron.  The large piece left over after cutting the strips make up the bib part of the apron. 

2.  Fold  ¼” on both of the long edges of each tie. Then fold the tie in half lengthwise and press.  Topstitch the ties on both long edges of the fold.  Do this for all four ties.

3.  Take the large piece and press a ¼” hem along the side of the napkin.

4.  Fold this piece in half and press. Mark the center along the fold with a pin.

5.  On the other napkin, embroider a border along one edge of a table napkin. This will be the bottom part of the apron skirt.

6.  On the opposite side of the apron fold a 1 ¼ inch hem to the back of the apron.  This will form the waistband.  Press.  Mark the center point of the apron along the waistband fold and mark with a pin.

7.  Match up the fold of the bid with the fold of the waistband, right sides together.  Sew along the fold lines.

8.  Place the ties on the corners at the top of the bib and at the sides of the waistband and pin in place.  Top stitch along the open edges, securing the ties.  Topstitch the waistband closes.   The apron is ready to wear.

Now I have to catch up with July's Embroidery Club.  The topic was Stabilizer Choices.  Check back in about a week. 

Let me know if you have any comments or questions.