Making a Pattern from a Christmas Ruffled Apron

A good friend of mine showed me this apron when she had seen some of my aprons.  She asked me to make a pattern from it.  I did, then made one up (minus the bib) using the pattern.  I really like it!

Here's the original apron:

Here's the one I made without the bib:

Here is the pattern:

Pattern:  Christmas Ruffles Apron

Bib Fabric:  Fat quarter (Cut out using tulip patterns)

Ruffle backing:  24”x 18” piece of Muslin (Cut to trapezoid shape 17” high, 16” across top and 24” across bottom)

Top and bottom  ruffles:  ½ yard fabric (Cut top 8”x 26” and bottom 8”x32”)

Middle ruffle:  ¼ yd fabric (Cut 8”x 28”)

Ties:  1/3 yard fabric, same color as bias tape (Cut strips 3 ½”x 40” for neck and two 3 ½”x 45” for waist)

3 yards double fold bias tape

Directions (Note all seams have 1/2” seam allowance):

1.  Finish the upper edge of small tulip piece with bias tape.  With wrong sides together, stitch tulip pieces together.  Finish the seam and continue up the top of the large tulip piece with bias tape.  Tack the overlapping bias tape down on the small tulip piece.  Hem sides of bib. 

2.  Hem sides and bottom of the Ruffle Backing muslin piece. 

3.  Finish lower edges of the three ruffle pieces with bias tape.  Serge the top edges of the three ruffle pieces.  Pin lower ruffle to the bottom edge of the Ruffle backing muslin piece.   Match sides and centers, then pleat the ruffle evenly, securing it with pins.  Top stitch bottom ruffle piece in place.  Repeat for the other two ruffle pieces, being sure to overlap the pieces so the bottom of the upper ruffle covers the upper edge of the lower ruffle.  The upper ruffle should be about 2 inches below the top edge of the Ruffle Backing Muslin piece.

4.  With wrong sides together, stitch the bib piece to the Ruffle Backing Muslin piece, matching centers.  On each side of the bib, finish the upper edges of the Ruffle Backing Muslin piece by pressing ½ inch hem wrong side out. 

5.  Stitch the two waist tie pieces together to make a long strip.  Cut it to 65”.  Fold the tie fabric in half lengthwise right sides together and stitching along the edge.  Pull right side out and press.  Hem both edges.  Repeat for the neck tie fabric, cutting in two sections 20” each. 

6.  Lay waist tie fabric across the seam between the bib and the Ruffle Backing Muslin piece and pin, matching centers.  Pin it to overlap the top ruffle Serged edge.  Top stitch in place. 

7.  Attach ties at the corners of the tulip bib for the neck ties. 

© 2012 Melanie Johnson