Every month at Patchwork Society, we learn new quilting/patchwork techniques and sew together! Our handbook is Modern Blocks compiled by Suzanne Woods. This month we made the block Four Acres (on page 68) to add to our quilt sampler. In addition to this, every month we take a spin on this block and use it in a fun project piece…this month’s is this fabulous apron!
Materials:
1 yard fabric – I used the Denim Yarn Dyed Essex, but any of your favorite solids will work wonderfully
4 fat quarters
thread
Directions:
1. Follow directions to make 2 Four Acres block from Modern Blocks, stop at the end of step 5. *If you do not have this book, make a simple log cabin measuring a 10″ block, if may look a tad different, but the effect will stay the same*
2. Using a rotary cutter and ruler, cut each finished block into quarters. This will become the hem of the apron and the pocket. You should have 8 small 5″ blocks.
3. Cut the 1 yard fabric into four pieces:
Two 3″ x 36″ – waistband and tie – this can be altered to your liking – (I cut this first from parallel to the selvage)
18″ x 24″ -apron lining – (Cut a 24″ wide from the width of the fabric, then sub-cut into a 18″ piece and 15″ piece)
15″x 24″ – apron front
5″ x 5″ – pocket lining – (from leftovers)
4. . Assembling the pocket – Lay the 5″ x 5″ pocket lining and one patchwork block right sides together. Sew at top using a 1/4″ seam allowance. Press seam open. Turn blocks wrong sides together and press seam flat. Fold all three raw edges 1/4″ under and press. Determine where you would like your pocket to be on the apron front. Using a #10 Edgestitch foot, sew pocket to the apron front. Make sure to start at the top and back-stitch to secure, leave the needle down and pivot at each corner. When you’ve reached the top of the pocket, back-stitch to secure again.
5. Assembling the apron – Take 6 of the patchwork blocks, sew together to form a long chain using a 1/4″ seam allowance. Press all seams open. Sew the apron front (15″ x 24″) to patchwork hem. Lay right sides together aligning the one long edge. Sew with 3/8″ seam allowance. Press seam open
6. Take apron lining and apron front, place right sides together, matching raw edges along the bottom and sides. Sew together theses two pieces along the sides and bottom using a 3/8″ seam allowance. Turn right side out. Use a bamboo pointer help push out the corners.
7. Assembling the waistband – Sew together both strips on short ends to create one long waistband. Iron 1/4″ under both of the long raw edges to the wrong side of the fabric, this will create a finished edge for your waistband. Fold this in half wrong sides together, creating a crease along the edge (this will be the top of the waistband it should be roughly 1 1/2″ wide). Open up, place this band to the top of the apron right sides together. Pin in place, make sure that the ends of the waistband are equal. Sew the waistband to the top of the apron using a 1/4″ seam allowance, back-stitch at each end to secure. Press seam up towards top of the waistband. Fold over to the back (along the crease you previously ironed) so that the pressed edges meet, pin waistband in place from the front side (or use the amazing Wash Away Wonder Tape to hold down the waistband in the right spot). Using the #10 Edgestitch foot, topstitch the waistband starting at one end, across the tie through the apron skirt and along the other tie. At the end of each tie, fold under the raw edges and press, pivot at the corner and stitch the end closed.
We hope to see you at the next Patchwork Society!