I’m so excited to finally be writing this post about a project from Ayumi’s new book, Patchwork Please. I’m just so tickled for her to have this book out and be part of the sew along. I remember when she announced she had a book coming and I was itching to get my hands on it right away. And it does not disappoint. Just one cute project after another, all in that adorable Zakka style that Ayumi has such a great grasp of.
If you don’t know about it yet, there is a sew along just starting for the whole book. Which means you can make each sweet project right along with a bunch of other people…and of course there are awesome prizes and giveaways along the way. (Keep reading for details about the giveaways!) Sigh. I love sew alongs! You can catch up on the details of the blog hop/sew along in the Flickr Group (where you can also add your pictures!)
As you can see, my project for the sew along is the uber cute Polka Dot Cafe Apron. The concept is fairly simple, a simple mid thigh apron with a patchwork pocket and ties. But of course, the apron is made in the details.By far, the most work is making the patchwork blocks for the pockets. I believe that these finish at 6″ square…so that is a LOT of tiny pieces in those blocks. And as is the case for most Zakka projects there is a lot of fussy cutting going on to make each and every piece unique.
The main base of my apron is made from Essex Linen in Leather (just the color name, not actual leather). I carefully copied the templates so that I would be able to fussy cut my pieces as necessary. One thing I did to try to make things easier was cut my triangles from a square rather than cutting each triangle separately. A small thing, but it saves time.
Learn from my mistakes. Since these pieces are essentially all fussy cut, you use a nice little template to get just the right piece of the fabric. However, you need to pay attention to the orientation of the templates. Doh. The two pieces above are cut from the same template. However, the left square does not work because the squares in the blocks are oriented on point. I needed the one on the right side to use correctly in the block and have the image turned the correct way.
As I said before, each of the three blocks is quite small when finished. Also, all these pieces are cut on the bias. All of that adds up to a block that is easy to distort out of shape. I think perhaps I might try paper piecing this block in sections for more stability and accuracy. I made the three blocks and two of them turned out the same size as each and the third was a bit larger. Ironically the larger one was the ONE that was the correct size. It’s not a huge deal in this particular project, but the perfectionist in me wants my blocks to be the same size for construction purposes. I think that they are all really pretty darn awesome though.
As with any binding these days, I used my trusty clover clips to hold the binding in place while I hand sewed it. I love these guys! I got mine on amazon at one point for a great deal. I use them all of the time since I bought them though so it’s one of those items I would actually pay full price for.
The apron construction was simple once those three blocks were made. Those blocks are definitely where the bulk of my time went in making this. I followed all of the directions as written with the exception that I sewed down the pocket and subdivided it into three small pockets instead of one large one. Just more practical for how I use it. I also added some hand stitching around the center of each block instead of machine sewing around the little blocks.
Definitely a fun project that has just the right balance of detail and simplicity. Go ahead and use those special fabrics for this. You will be glad you did. It doesn’t use up very much fabric for a small block and you get to really make a feature of them. Picking the fabrics was one of my favorite parts of this project!
Love, love , love your fabric choices1 What an adorable apron. I've beren resisting buying another book, but you've convinced me with this adorable project!
I'm doing a little bit of traveling and a lot of sewing this summer. I love your apron and that little tag is adorable! Thanks for the chance to win.
That apron is lovely! Perfect for stashing scissors!
Traveling, relaxing, and sewing of course!
Ill get a visit from my one year old granddaughter and will have fun getting to know her. I know she likes to play with fabric so she should have a blast in my sewing room.
Hope to get more sewing done. We farm so it is a busy time for us getting the hay done.I also drive a school busand we are now done for the summer so I should be able to do extra sewing.
The summer months are spent in the pool with my grandchildren. I try to get in my sewing on cloudy rainy days and of course late nights. Thanks for the giveaway
Adorable job…can't wait to start mine!
Trying to catch up with the kitchen towels and tea items, but I'll focus on this one this week!
Plan on taking a 3 day getaway with girlfriends…and bringing hexagon paper-piecing along with me!
Angela, your apron is gorgeous! I love the fabric choices. Ayumi surely loves it, too 🙂 I'm quite busy this summer. I'd prefer to join the zakka sew along but just can't find any free time 🙁
That apron is really cute! Since I work full time, I am trying to squeeze summer fun into my evenings — getting out the hose and letting my daughter run in the water, finger painting outside, playing basketball, going for evening walks as a family, etc. The key for me is to be *outside*!!
Your apron is amazing. I am doing this sew along this summer as well.
Your apron is super cute. I don't have any plans for this summer. Just hanging out. Today I am going to pick strawberries for a friend. I love to pick but I don't like to make stuff with them so I pick for other people. It gives me time outside in the sunshine and I get to do fun stuff for others.
Your apron is adorable. I'm anxious to get started on mine. I live in DC and will be traveling to NH for the 4th of July where I will get to spend some time with my family on Lake Winnisquam. This is where I spent every summer growing up. so fun!
Hi Angela! You apron is so sweet, I wish we could aprons as an accessories and not only in the kitchen! I love also your cute fabrics! My summer is always very busy and it's difficult to find sewing time, but I do my best to finish Forest Qal quilt and then perhaps some little projects. I'm Ayumi's big fan and would love to things from her book! Thank you for a lovely give away! After a busy day, I have fun by swimming in pool (there I get best ideas) and relaxing on the patio. x Teje
nerospost(at)gmail(dot)com
I am spending a great deal of time floating in the pool this summer!! Oh and when I'm not floating, I'm sewing. I think I'm supposed to be looking for a job but no rush…hehehe
I love these fabrics and your description of this project! Thanks for the opportunity. At the moment, summer fun includes strawberry picking!
mmckee at wi dot rr dot com
What a cute apron! For summer fun this year, we are swimming in the pool, going camping, and taking a trip to the Smoky Mountains. Thanks for the
chance to win!
wigglypup2(at)yahoo(dot)com
Cute apron! My summer fun will be making quilts out of scraps.
Your apron is just adorable! I'll be catching up on lost sewing time I hope this summer!
Very cute! Right now I'm just trying to stay sane while we pack up and move into our new house.
Traveling is my plan for fun!
This summer I'm going to Utah to visit family. It will be a lot of fun(:thanks for the giveaway!
This summer I'm going to Utah to visit family. It will be a lot of fun(:thanks for the giveaway!
This is so cute!!! I have family in town for all of June, and I haven't thought much past that. 🙂 Maybe a picnic quilt?
I would love this book! Thanks!
Wow too cute!! The book looks awesome. Thanks!
We're gearing up for our annual cousin's camp! 22 kids (16 years down to 4 months) with about half that in adults! Loads of fun!
oh this apron is just too wonderful. How great to have an apron while sewing. Thanks for sharing and for the give a way.
Cute cute cute! Thanks for your tips.
So cute! What a fun pattern and that was sure some expert piecing! I'm with you on those clips, my bindings are awesome since I bought them and they are so useful for so many things! As far as my Summer plans I'm having my fifth baby in about a month and couldn't be more over the moon!
What a lovely apron! I love the fussy cutting!
I am going to do a lot of FMQ on my stack of quilt tops that is growing fast! After that is all done, I would like to design some more patterns and also try them out! Looking forward to a lovely summer! (just a few more days at work…)
Esther
esthersipatchandquilt at yahoo dot com
Love the pockets and the fabric in the pockets…I wanna play to please.
Apron is so sweet, love it! I'm working on bee blocks and on a baby quilt right now!
Great post and adorable apron! I'm going to be working on Ayumi's great quilts in Patchwork Please this summer!
Hmm.. Looks like I will be adding a patchwork apron to my list of items to work on this summer, now I am working on a picture quilt for my daughter , and twin girls baby blankets! mburnette912@bellsouth.net
I love how your apron turned out!
As to our summer, we're just hanging around mostly. But, this weekend we'll be heading out to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. We can't wait!
Reallly, really cute Angela! Love the measuring tape ties.
So cute Angela – I need to get started on mine. This summer I am inviting people over as often as I can to make the most of summer on the lake!
Almost done with this thanks for sharing linhs4real@aol.com
I think I will be sewing some summer tops. Cute apron!
So far the fun things planned for summer are my sister's wedding and a family trip to Hershey, PA (then the real fun can begin … when we get back home and can just enjoy summer)!!!
Thanks for the giveaway! I am going to a sewing retreat and then a mountain getaway with my husband. Otherwise, I am going to do some serious sewing while it is way too hot to be outside.
what a great little apron – my mind is searching my stash for just the right fabrics to fussy cut. We're taking a trip to the east coast to sight see and visit family.
You're apron turned out great! I ordered a copy of the sew along book last night and I hope I get it in time to make and enter an apron as that is actually something I could use too! 🙂
As for what we're doing to have fun this summer, we recently moved to Calgary (just in time for the flood!) and bought a book on local hikes so we're going to try to hike our way through as many as we can!
I just love this apron, especially those adorable measuring tape ties! Thanks so much for the giveaway!
There is a baby boom it seems around us so I'll be making yet another little quilt for another adorable baby.
Love your apron! I am trying to purge somethings out of my house this summer – super fun?! I will also be going to Cabo!
HELLO! WE'RE RELAXING AND ENJOYING BEING RETIRED!
PICNICS+GET-TOGETHERS WILL BE SUCH GREAT TIMES!
msstitcher1948@yahoo.com