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 your apron! i would love to win. i have never had the money to purchase aurifil thre and and would love the chance to try it out babscorbitt@gmail.com
Oh it is so pretty, and your photography of this one is just great!
My daughter and I went to Girl Scout day camp last week. It was really fun but I'm enjoying sleeping past 6:30 and not rushing out the door.
I'm on pnterest, looking up cleaning schedules for children!
I already gushed about your apron on Flickr but it is so very cute! For the summer I'll be stitching the sew along and spending every minute I can near the water.
Great apron! This summer for fun I am joining my first Sew Along and trying to do a blog! Thanks for the tips!
You did a really good job Angela:
really enjoying the sew along, your apron is gorgeous as is the giveaway
Claire 🙂
What a lovely apron! Love the color combos you picked! We are moving this summer! Yay!
Absolutely love your apron!!!
We are spending as much time in the pool as possible this summer to have fun and stay cool 🙂
Ahh, look at the amazing job you did on fussy cutting those fabrics, Angela! I think that apron will be just too cute to use, but I sure do hope you enjoy it:) Thank you so much for the giveaway too!
I love the touch of hand quilting, gives great pizzaz! I can't wait to make an apron of my own. But, starting will have to wait since a grandson is visiting this week.
The fabrics you used are great!
Awesome!!!
Beautiful apron!
Love your apron!! Thanks for the give-away!
We have no travel plans for the summer, so I guess my fun will be sewing and reading mysteries.
having a water balloon fight this week with my kids and the neighbors 🙂
Oh this is so cute – I love the colors you chose! For fun this summer I spending a lot of time outside reading and hand-stitching — nothing crazy, but definitely fun!
What an adorable apon! I plan to sew as much as possible this summer – to me that's some of the best fun! But, I am looking forward to vacation – but that's not until October, so it doesn't count for summer fun!! o:)
or fun I am spending time with my six year old granddaughter
I'll go to the beach!:) and sew something too
Your apron is wonderful!! Thanks for sharing and for the chance to win!
Right now we're just trying to stay cool … and dry. It won't stop raining. We've had rain practically every day for the past month with the exception of one day per week. It's insane. Later this summer we plan to have an extended weekend camping … and it's guaranteed (every year) to rain then too 🙂
I want to SEW and Decorate my house with my ART
Your apron is so cute and I love the fabric you used. Thank you for sharing, I am going to try to make this.
I spend a lot of time out in the flower gardens, I find it very relaxing. I need to get this book, I love the projects so far. Thanks for the great giveaway.
For fun this summer, I'm headed up to the mountains and in August I will have my first grandchild, a girl!
Lovely apron, I love the fussy cut squares. I am still waiting for summer to start here in the UK. It is cold and windy and we still have 4 more weeks of school and work. But to keep us busy we are going to extend our house!
Very cute apron! Love the tie fabric. 🙂
OOH love it! I'm going to pick out my fabrics for this one tonight! And yes, I'm doing loads of sewing this summer.
I really want to make a patchwork apron for my mom!
I didnt make the apron because I wont USE it but that's so cute! Hmm, summer fun is hard to think of when fighting a cold, but embroidering in the sun is about as much fun as I think I can handle this year!
What an adorable apron Angela. I love the way you've done the fussy cutting too. Great idea. Thanks for showing us.
As far as fun this summer; we aren't doing too much other than to enjoy watching our 1 yr old Granddaughter who is living with us along with her parents temporarily to grow and learn about the world around her. We've had so much fun with her being here and having a hand in helping her learn things, mostly how to play with her toys at that age. LOL I am going to be terribly sad when they move out and take her away from our daily routine of spoiling her. I'm still hoping to take her to a small local zoo yet this summer.
I had to laugh about the suggested comment on having fun. We have just moved from Illinois to Alabama to downsize and be near our oldest daughter. Believe me! Downsizing is not fun:) We brought too much with us and I am still surrounded by boxes. Setting up my new sewing room will be fun and last night we ate with our daughter and her family. I am looking forward to sewing again and to more times with this family. Would love to win the fabric! Nancy: rangerer@sbcglobal.net
I love your apron the ties really make it even more special. Haven't been doing much as I got the summer bug going around Wisconsin and have felt rotten most of the month. Hopefully it will run its course soon.
Love yr apron and specially yr great idea n the straps! tks fr the chance!
paulaheredec at gmail dot com
Drooling over that little yellow bundle of fabric … and two daughters playing softball, so lots of time at the ball fields!
Very cute project. I am gardening for fun this summer.
So cute! I have that book, but have yet to make anything from it 🙂
Thanks for the suggestion to foundation piece the blocks — I think I'd better do that! :}
Love your version of the apron,especially those ties.
Just back from a fun holiday in the US.
Very cute!
What great fabric- turned out so cute.
Such cute fabric! Jealous of your stash!
For fun this summer I'm finishing up a lot of little projects, my kids always have stuff they want me to make for them and I try to squeeze in something for them between bigger projects.
I'm doing lots of quilting this summer!! I was laid off my job so I have a lot of free time to finish up those UFO's now! =)
Love your fussy cut apron, it is adorable! I am wanting to finish a camping quilt that I have started, preferably before camping season is over. Hopefully we will be doing lots of camping this summer. Thanks for the giveaway!
Ill be on the beach when I'm not quilting or job hunting
Very, very nice. I too found it a little tricky but I enjoy patchwork so it was a nice way to wile away a couple of hours.
After the quilt retreat I will be making bags for our quilt club stall at the summer fair.