Kitchen Towel Apron

Sometimes a little girl needs just the right accessories for playtime.  And sometimes it's as easy as picking up a really cute kitchen towel to make it happen.  Take for example this really cute apron Heidi Sage is getting for Christmas to go with her play kitchen.  It's a cinch...

Items Needed:

• Kitchen Towel
• Bias Tape
• Thread
• Elastic

I found this towel at Target last spring.  As soon as I saw this I had the idea I could make Heidi Sage an Apron.  However, I am just now getting it done.  Her mother likes everything to match and coordinate.  Heidi Sage's room is painted "Vintage Map" from Martha's color line and all the accessories are red and white, including her play kitchen.  This towel is very similar to "Vintage Map" and the cherry was red.  This also had some pink, but what girl doesn't have a touch of pink here and there?

One of the things that makes this project easier is the fact that the really cute cupcake applique was already done.  Keep your eye out at Target...they have a slew cyclical items in their towels, so things will change frequently.  You should be able to find something you love sooner or later...hopefully sooner.

One thing to note--Heidi Sage wears 18m clothing.  This apron is going to hit her at about her knees, which is long for an apron.  So, this would work for bigger kids as well.  Clinton wears a 5T and would also be able to wear this...but it will probably sit at his hips.  Aprons come in all different styles and lengths, so either fit is appropriate.

First, cut the bottom section off to make a pocket for the Apron.

This piece will be stitched to the bottom to form the pocket.

Next, pin a section to be the arm hole indention.  Remember this is not a fitted garment like a shirt, so the arm hole is not a precise measurement.  Once the arm holes are pinned, cut this section out on both sides.

Sew the bias tape to the top edge of the pocket.

Next, attach the bottom of the pocket piece to the bottom of the Apron.  After attached, the pocket piece will fold up to form the pocket and the seam will be on the inside of the pocket.

Next, fold the raw ends of the bias tape to the inside of the pocket and top stitch down each side to close the sides of the pocket.  You can also divide the pocket into three sections and stitched down the lines to make one large pocket into three smaller pockets, as I did.

On the top of the Apron, fold the edge down to form a casing large enough to run 3/4" elastic thru the top.  Stitch the casing down.

The elastic will help make the top smaller so it will not be to wide for Heidi Sage's chest.  To do this, gather the fabric in across the elastic to make it smaller...remember, Heidi Sage still wears 18m clothing.  A bigger kid may not need the gathered top.  

Next, trim the edges with bias tape.  (I made my own bias tape but you can use store bought bias tape also.)  Here is the finished Apron.

I'm hoping Heidi Sage's reaction will be a good one.  When her brother gets gifts that are clothes (or at least look like them), he reacts with, "Awww, yuck!"

Hoping I get invited to Heidi Sage's next tea party,

Linking to...

Fuzzy Flower Blanket

Heidi Sage has already started to pre-school, and her school requires a blanket for nap time. I received a phone call from her mother this summer with an order for one blanket with HS's name, dimensions of the blanket needed to be 3 foot by 4 foot, and it should be double sided for warmth....oh, and she wanted it red to match her school bag and bedroom. (Her mother is only slightly particular!)

So, I started thinking of different ways to make Heidi Sage's blanket. I decided it would need some flowers to make sure it was girly and later in the project I decided to add a purse and high heel to make sure it was REALLY girly. The purse was also to serve a purpose, but I'll get to that in a bit.

I used fleece for the blanket and also for the appliques. Little ones tend to love how soft and cozy fleece is. I first made some simple paper flower patterns and cut my flowers from different colors of fleece.

All the appliques were sewed on by hand. I used embroidery thread to sew on my appliques. I used the six strand thread and divided it into three strands. I used a blanket stitch for attaching each of the appliques. I sewed on the flower centers first before attaching the flowers to the blanket.  Click here for a quick video on how to do a blanket stitch!

I monogrammed Heidi Sage's name in one corner and added some flowers around her name. If you don't have a monogramming machine and you want it personalized, you can always just leave space and then take it to a local sewing store, boutique, or other shop that has a machine. Make sure to shop around. You can find people who will do it out of their house for as cheap as $5/piece...and others who are really proud of their ability to push buttons and center things!

On the opposite corner I decided to add THE purse. Our Heidi Sage doesn't go more than five minutes without a pacie in her mouth, and she sure never takes a nap without one. So, in order to make sure she always had one for nap time, the blanket was made to hold extra pacies. And I added a shoe just for fun. A girl can never have to many shoes in our family! I found a simple purse pattern online and attached the flap onto the purse so it could open and close.

After all the appliques were finished I added the back piece of fabric and used the sewing machine to sew the two pieces together.

Courtney has reported the blanket gets softer and cozier with every washing!

NOTE: This could also easily be for a boy just by finding some simple dinosaur or truck patterns. The possibilities are many....the cuteness is endless!

Stay warm!