Saturday, 4 June 2011

Children's apron

Cute children's aprons are quick and easy to make, and very popular with little ones!  Read on for tips on making!

One of my first projects was children's aprons for my two little ones.  Lila was to get a pink spotted version, and Aran a blue elephant print one.  I copied the very simple design of my sister's daughters' aprons, but keeping the under-arm line straight for simplicity rather than rounded.

I used bought spotted ribbon for Lila's straps, for speed, but for Aran's I made straps out of matching fabric.  It didn't take too long, and actually looked much more professional, though Lila's spotted straps are still cute!


For personalization I tried my hand at applique letters.  I hadn't discovered fusible web, but simply cut out letters, using paper templates, then pinned and sewed them onto the front fabric using a zig-zag stitch.  For Lila's apron the applique fabric was white and quite thin so I used 2 pieces together, though I should have used plain white fabric lining to avoid seeing the dark pink spotted fabric underneath.
See also applique tutorial for details.

All in all it was a very simple project - the hardest part being working out how/where to attach the straps to ensure they end up inside the wrong sides of the apron!

Note:  apron is perfect size for a 3 year old (though my 18-month old can also wear it).  Basic measurements were as follows:



And one more touch - using ready-made quilting material, I made little play oven gloves for their kitchen too...


Friday, 3 June 2011

Resources in Bangkok

Shopping for sewing and craft supplies:
Chinatown/Sampeng - a mini-guide
I have really only scratched the surface of this huge trading area, with some great discoveries on Sampeng Lane, or Soi Vanit 1 as it's sometimes also known!  With these small stores below, I can get pretty much all the supplies I need for my usual sewing needs, though the choice of fabrics is not exhaustive here by any means.  But it's great for beginner sewers and, to some extent, crafters.  What it is also brilliant for is children's party supplies and party bags - cheap and cheerful little knick-knacks which kids love to get their hands on, and even the bags to put them all in - you just need to dig around a bit!

 Other
Cotton print fabrics, ready made quilted material - Fabric House - 2rd floor Centralworld near Isetan

Cotton print fabrics - Fabric@Play - K Village, Sukhumvit soi 26

Sewing, needlecraft and craft supplies - Pinn Shop - 3rd floor Centralworld near Isetan

Welcome!

......to the so-so sewer:  one mother's journey of discovery into the world of needlecraft!