I had never seen a crayon apron until I opened a catalog that came in the mail the other day. I was overcome by the cute, girlishness of the crayon apron pictured and the clever idea. But, the more I thought about it, the more convinced I was that it wasn't really a practical idea. Crayons break constantly, immediately upon use. Then they wouldn't work in the apron pockets anymore because they would be too short. I also didn't think that little ones, of the crayon using age, would be all that interested in putting crayons back into little slots. I decided to make one as a gift that uses Twistables, the Crayola colored pencils that you twist up rather than sharpen. They will always stay the same height and are a bit more appealing than crayons to the preschool/kindergarten crowd.
After I made mine, I searched and noticed that they are all over Esty so the idea is hardly new, just new to me! I am guessing that there are several tutorials out there too. In case there are not, I will share the measurements that I used. My apron is appropriately sized for those age 4 and up.
1. For the main body of the apron, I cut a piece of fabric measuring 33" wide and 11" high.
2. The pocket piece measures 33" wide and 6 1/4" high. I finished the top edge of the pocket with a 1/4" hem. I then sewed baby rick rack 1" down from the finished edge.
3. I placed the pocket piece on top of the apron piece, right sides up. I located the center of the pocket and stitched straight down. I then made vertical, parallel rows of stitching 1" apart to form the pockets.
4. Next I made a narrow hem on the sides and bottom of the apron. I think bias tape would have been a better choice but I was bias taped out from recent projects and didn't feel like using it again! The hem worked fine as an alternative.
5. I then gathered the top of the apron to 14 1/2".
6. To make the ties, I cut one piece out of the pocket material measuring 15" long x 2" high and two pieces from the main apron fabric measuring 22" long x 2" high. I stitched the narrow ends together with a 1/4" seam, with the pocket fabric in the center.
7. I then pinned the center portion of the tie to the apron top and stitched (about a 1/2" seam).
8. Then I pressed under 1/2" all the way around the ties and folded it in half and pinned. Then I stitched close to the edge of the ties beginning at one edge and ending at the other.
9. Now for the fun part, I arranged the pencils!
What an adorable apron, I just absolutely love it! Thanks so much for your instructions, I will file this away and put it in my way to big "to do" pile!
ReplyDelete( I am always on the end of the trends and seem either to collect ideas and wait a bit to use them, or I just don't know that something is "in" until everyone else has moved on to something else!)
I've seen lots of crayon aprons, but yours is very unique and girly. It has somewhat of a vintage look to it, which I love. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI'd never seen a crayon apron before I visited your blog this evening. So you aren't the only one!!!!! love your version.
ReplyDeleteaah! at last! someone says what i've been thinking all along..
ReplyDelete".it wasn't really a practical idea. Crayons break constantly, immediately upon use. Then they wouldn't work in the apron pockets anymore because they would be too short. I also didn't think that little ones, of the crayon using age, would be all that interested in putting crayons back into little slots. "
you can use felt tip pens in them, and thanks for the tutorial!
I love this! Love the Twistibles suggestion for this apron. Thanks so much for sharing your "take"...I had the same thoughts with the crayons! Can't wait to get to the fabric shop this afternoon and get started!
ReplyDelete