After being boxed for about 10 years, my sewing materials have finally found their new home…I’m Sew Excited! Why, you ask, have they been boxed? Because we moved to Brownwood (10 years ago), bought a house that needed COMPLETE renovation (which we are still not done with), & I had no place to put them that was accessible…until now. Darren finished a particular room in our house allowing me to shift things around so that I could finally move my sewing materials to their home…& I could finally have a hobby again!
I know it’s becoming a lost art, but I LOVE to sew. For me it is a creative outlet & very relaxing. My mother, however, was just the opposite…sewing made her VERY tense (it was best to stay outside & play)! Unfortunately, I enjoy it so much, I can easily get involved in what I’m doing & lose all track of time…oh, you’re hungry? Well, yeah…I mean, it’s 9:00 & we haven’t had dinner yet! Oops!
One of the first things I needed to do with my new-found fun was make a few aprons. Aprons are a key part of my wardrobe as a stay-at-home mom. I wear them when I cook, wash dishes, clean, pot plants, pick the garden…anything that could potentially get my clothes dirty. I even wear one when I sew to carry my scissors, pins, whatever. The last time I made aprons was nineteen eigh…oh, that’s not important! Suffice it to say it was a long time ago & they are getting worn. It’s time for some new ones.
As I unpacked my sewing materials, I found several cute fabrics that I wanted to use to make aprons. I even had coordinating fabrics that I could use for the trim. If you’ve ever bought bias tape to trim something, you know that color choice is very limited…plus it costs a fortune considering how much fabric is actually in it. So I decided I would make my own. It’s a little time consuming, but sooooo worth it! First, I had to estimate how much trim I would need for each apron. Then I cut 2-inch strips of fabric, making sure to cut more than necessary to account for what is lost when the pieces are sewn together.
Next, I sewed the strips together. To do this, place the fabric ends together, at 90 degree angles. Sew together across the corner…this gives an angled seam, which will be easier to sew through later. (Pictured to the left.)
Now trim the seam allowance to 1/4-inch & press the seam open. (Pictured to the right.)
Next, press your strip of fabric in half lengthwise. Now open the fabric strip back up & press one half of the strip toward the center, bringing the raw edge about two-thirds of the way up toward the center. When you finish this side, turn the strip around & do the other side. (Below left.)
Finally, fold your trim back together & press. All exposed edges should be folded & the raw edges should be concealed in the center. Using 2-inch strips will yield trim that is approximately 5/8-inch wide. If you want larger or smaller trim, just cut your strips accordingly…the method is the same. Now your perfectly coordinating trim is ready to be used! Happy sewing!
“The schweet life: the ramblings of a homeschool mom” is a blog by Karen Carter. Karen lives in Central Texas with her husband, Darren, & teenage son (Shewill refer to him as Son since he doesn’t want her to use his name). In another life she was a public school teacher. Karen taught high school Physics, Chemistry, & Math for many years before she and her husband decided to homeschool their son (best decision they believe they ever made!) In addition to teaching their son, Karen also tutors other students, some homeschoolers & some not, mostly with science & math. Since y have a complete high school science lab at our house & an extensive, mostly classical, library that includes works by Hitler & Marx, Karen has often joked that their family must be on the Homeland Security watch list!
When their son was younger, he kept breaking out in hives at the most random times. The doctor could not figure out why & finally concluded it must be a preservative or other additive used in foods. Karen decided she would have to try to eliminate as much pre-prepared food from their diet as possible. She has always enjoyed cooking, but this decision began a new chapter for her family. She now makes most of what they eat from scratch. The Carters try to eat as much fresh food as possible, growing what they can (they live in town, so space is limited)…lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, & occasionally meat (hormone & antibiotic free).
