Blue Jean / Denim Art Apron - Construction

In an effort to use every bit of that pair of Jeans, I decided to make Emily another apron. This time I wanted something a little different, so I decided on an Art Apron. I wanted it to be shorter, and have more pockets.

This project was much faster than the last one. I think because I took the time to think it out before I started, and then I did most of the cutting before I got the sewing machine out. (I still haven’t decorated it yet though)

I did make a couple mistakes that I will tell you about, but I’ll make this post like a tutorial in the correct order if you want to make your own.

1 I took the other pant leg and laid it out on the table and cut the arm holes… (NOTE: I’m considering modifying the cut to a straight line so I can trim it in ribbon easier. Think about your decorations before you cut. Curved is fine if you want to do the fray edge again.)

2 Lay it out right sides together and trim it even. I wanted to use the bottom part as the pocket, so I just left it on there to make it easier to handle.
3 I used the pieces that I cut from the ‘arm holes’ to create a pocket. Here I just evened them up.

4 I took apart a scrap piece of hem to have a template to fold up the bottom of the apron, which will become the top of the pocket.

5 Next, I marked the hem lines using the template as a guide. And I ironed the first line, then folded it up again and ironed it again.

6 Denim doesn’t like to hold the crease very long, so I pinned it and sewed it right way. I sewed close to the edge of the fold so it would look more natural.
Cut off the pocket from the apron. I did mine about 6 inches total.

7 Attach the big pocket across the bottom of the apron.

8 Pick a size for your small pocket. I used a box of crayons...
9 I squared off the small pocket and cut it down with a small fold over allowance. I also cut the corners. I was planning on having the bottom of the small pocket inside the big pocket, so it wasn’t important that it looked finished.

10 Decide on small pocket placement, I decided to use line that attached the small pocket all the way down to divide the big pocket.

11 Sew the bottom of the small pocket onto the apron. (NOTE: this is where I goofed up. I sewed the sides of the big pocket on before I did the bottom of the small pocket. I think that from now on, I’ll stick to one direction of sewing at a time. All the horizontal lines, THEN all the vertical lines. As you can see, I had to pin the big pocket out of the way so I could sew the bottom of the small pocket… not ideal)

12 Now is when you should sew the sides of the big pocket closed. I went over it twice. And did a criss cross at the top for stability.

13 Attach the sides of the small pocket and sew all the way down through the big pocket to form 3 sections.

14 All done for now!!!!
Not I have to decide how to decorate and trim it off.

I've gone crafty! Pillowcase, Blue jean Aprons & Shirt?

I've gone crafty and pulled out the sewing machine! My main motivation is the BEAUTIFUL fabric that my Patti bought us to make drapes for the front bedroom.

I figured I should at least get a little experience with the sewing machine before I goofed up that wonderful fabric, so pillowcase here I come!


(Forgive the crazy eyes, she was a little excited that it was finally out of the dryer!)
I found this fabric scrap at Wal-Mart; it was perfect size for a pillowcase. Emily has been on a HUGE Care bears kick lately. So I grabbed a pillowcase out of the closet and got to work! I used an existing fold for one side, and sewed all the edges!









*Things I would do differently...When I folded the open end seam, I only did it once (had to modify it afterwards so there wasn't a raw edge hanging out...) Find a better template!!!! What are the odds that the one pillowcase I grabbed was freakishly wide? It's pretty loose, but SHE LOVES IT!!!!





Next I really wanted an apron for Emily and one for myself. Emily has really been into helping me cook, or at least standing on the chair hanging out with me while I cook! So I surfed the Internet for 'all things Blue jean apron' and collected about 6 different styles/ideas. So, I sat down with a pair of Goodwill jeans and my new scissors, and got to chopping!















Emily's Apron is made from one pant leg, upside down and the open bottom cuff at her neck, and what used to be the thigh area as the bottom.

I trimmed it with White Rick-Rack, set back from the edge about .5 inch. I snipped the edge in every dip of the rick-rack to make it fray. I also wanted to allow the apron to grow with her, so I wanted to make the ties adjustable...I cut two pieces of ribbon and attached one end to the neckline of the apron and used scrap rick-rack to make a slot at the waist. So they crisscross and tie in the back, fully adjustable.

What I would do differently.... Never hand sew again. I was nervous about using the sewing machine at first but I got the hang of it pretty fast. One side effect of Midnight/Stealth sewing after Emily goes to bed, I didn't get to try it on her until the next day. It is super long, and the pocket is cute, but practically in her lap. Oh well!



There is always the other pant leg!

Next I made myself an apron out of the top part of the apron! The jeans I picked had TONS of pockets, so I wasn't sure where to cut them at first... So I cut them in the bum, and then I tried to make the front work with the zipper area, but I couldn't get it to lay right. So I grabbed the handy scissors and cut it out! I made a seam connecting the two front sides. I like this better because i doesn't look like a bum is walking towards you, and the front slash pockets are awesome.



I wanted it to wrap around at least to half my hips/bum, cause I'm a major hip wiper when I'm covered in kitchen messes. So, I just trimmed a curve around the existing pockets. Which happened to be Front slot pockets, Side thigh pockets and bum pockets. Yes, 6 pockets on one apron!



I trimmed it out just like Emily's with Jumbo Rick-Rack and fray, and a White ribbon tie back.



*What I would do differently...shoot myself in the foot before I try and remove a manufactured stitched item off the denim. There were a couple decorative strap things on the waist band, I thought I could just use the seam ripper real fast and get them off. Yeah.... Right.... After 30 minutes, stabbing myself in the finger, breaking off the tip of one seam ripper and a series of hand cramps, I finally got them off. Next time I will just integrate it into the design. They really sewed that stuff on there to stay.


My next project, (I’m not even sure if I should put it on here, is a bit tragic) was great entertainment!

I found a scrap of fleece and thought, what the heck. I’ll make Emily a shirt!
Why not, she has a bunch, I can just copy one! So I grabbed one of her shirts, laid it out on the fabric and cut out the pieces. That part wasn't too hard.





The order of assembly, however, wasn't so easy. I did the shoulders and the sides of the torso, then I had to figure out the sleeves.... I sewed the sleeves into a tube, then I tried to do the cuffs. (Now I understand the stop and iron methodology.) I argued with the double fold hem and sewed possibly the waviest hem EVER.









I spent at least 10 minutes trying to figure out how to attach the sleeves. Finally deciding on sticking them inside the shirt, leaving the arm hole with the two raw edges, out to sew. I managed to sew them on straight and right side up... but I also managed to sew them onto the shirt INSIDE OUT!!!!! ACK!!!!! Oh well. It’s not really terrible looking, but I think it looks stupid.







For the neckline, I just did a V so I wouldn't have to worry about snaps or buttons. Very sloppy and messy. I see the advantage of the iron again...
All in all, if Emily had any fashion sense, she would run to the hills screaming. But she's blissfully ignorant and happy as long as she has her blanket!

Maybe I’ll get adventurous and make her pajama pants to match! Elastic should be highly entertaining.

Christmas Memories!!!!!

This year was a big one for Emily. Lots going on and Lots of Fun! We started off the season decorating the tree, she helped me put up the balls, mostly by handing them to me and telling me where to put them! (World's most lopsided tree decorations ever, only a mom could love it!)
She helped with the bead strings by putting them all on that one branch! It was super cute.

I got her all dressed up to go to the Christmas Eve Party, (I had to bribe her with potato chips in her high chair to get her hair braided)

Her first Christmas present at Annie's. She didn't really understand the christmas concept, she was fine with opening her present and then stopping and playing with it. She didn't understand why she was supposed to keep opening stuff!

Christmas morning was magical, even though she had no clue that it was different from any other day. Mike's parents were here and we were all waiting for her to come out of her room and check out what Santa had left her... But no... She trots off to her play area, plops down in her chair with her banket. Mel had to go get her and bring her into the living room to see the stuff.

When she saw the car, she was so excited she didn't know what to do! She didn't know what to check out first!

She spent most of the morning in the Car. Opening most of her other presents while sitting in it and putting all the new presents into the wagon.

One of the funniest things that happened this Christmas season was breakfast of all things!

Mike's family has the tradition of cinnamon buns for breakfast on Christmas morning, so Patti and Mel got them baking before we got Emily up, and pulled them out to cool while we were opening presents and then iced them when most of the present opening was done. .

Mel grabbed the pan and brought it into the living room, held it out for Patti to grab one, held it out for Mike to grab one, held it out for Me to grab one, AND held it out for Emily to grab one! So she reaches in and grabs a whole cinnamon bun, (covered in icing!) and with a full fist of warm sugary goodness, crams it into her face and starts taking bites!

She walked around eating it for a few minutes, leaving a path of icing destruction just like a tornado! There was icing on EVERYTHING, but and it didn't slow her down a bit!

After Christmas morning was wrapped up, we drove down to the beach to see my family!

It was a wonderful and uncomplicated meal with family. Leaf and a very pregnant Jeri, Mema, Mimi and Papa (still trying to get used to the grandparent names for Momma and Dad), Mike, Emily and Myself.

This special moment came while we were putting the finishing touches on dinner.

Emily was super hyper, (due to the long car ride to get there) BUT she wanted to spend time with Mema... So she compromised. She ran around the living room like a crazy kid for a moment, then she's go over to Mema and climb up into the chair with her and read, color or just talk and laugh, when she got the wiggles again, she's hop down and run it out. Rinse and repeat. She must have climbed up to sit with her about 10 times. You could tell they both LOVED it.

All the Presents aside, the magical moments from this christmas were about the fun, laughter and love with people you love. I can't wait to make wonderful memories next year!

I found Crayons in my shoe this morning...

... at least she didn't mark on the walls again!


Hey Ya'll It's Mary and I'm here to update you the Life, Love and Laughs with Emily!

She's 2 and some change now, and every single day, it's something new and interesting going on with her. I can't wait to share all the fun things going on with our lives...


...to get you started I'll update you on Christmas!