A Simple Apron & Birthday Gift!

Do you like this version? Hemmed sides, less seam binding?

Or this version? Finishing all edges with seam binding & added pocket.

Today I needed a birthday gift for a 6 year old girl's party tonight (totally forgot about it - do you ever do that or is it just me?) and didn't have to run to Target for my usual $10-$15 kiddo gift. Plus, Mommy had just treated herself to a couple new things at Anthroplogie and Ann Taylor (I am worth it, I keep telling myself...) so I needed to save a couple bucks somewhere!

So, I decided to make an apron as a birthday gift. I remembered these aprons we made last fall for our other sister in Denver. (There are 3 of us sisters.) She was planning a Ratatouille themed birthday party for her daughter and wanted simple aprons as the kid's party favors. She asked her sisters in Arizona to help her out. We had to make a bunch and they had to cost hardly anything.

Required:
22"x22" fabric - twill, print cotton, scrap from stash, whatever you wish (more if you want to add a pocket)
1-2 Pkg. Seam Binding (1 pkg. is 3 yards)
(2 1/4 yd required for hemmed version , 4 1/4 yd for the finished on all edges with seam binding version")

I made this "pattern" (probably, no, for sure, not to scale at all) quickly after making several aprons. Really we free-handed it, using another kiddo apron as a guide. Does this guide make sense? It is really finished measurements. If you plan to do the hemmed version, using less seam binding, cut overall width and length 1.5 inches larger. My daughter, the model, is 5 1/2 years old. Adjust your size up or down if needed but I think there is plenty of room to grow with it. My 7 year old has an apron the same size. We made them this size for the birthday party and that was for 3 year olds. it is really a versatile size.

We were making several for the birthday party and used the rotary cutter and mat to cut lots at a time.

If hemming (and we were for these - we couldn't use so much seam binding - it wasn't in the budget) turn under a double 1/4" hem on top, bottom and sides. Press and straight stitch.

Use the seam binding as the neck; the neck opening measures about 15" from point to point where it is attached, covering the curve and then as the ties. Pin in place and straight stitch. The seam binding will bend around the curve easily. Just make sure you catch both sides of the binding in your stitch!

We made 10, 12, I don't remember. I do know we ran out of red and had to finish with some purple I had in my stash.

And the version I made for the birthday girl. She is not a girly girl so I thought this funky graphic flower print from my stash I picked up on clearance at IKEA would be perfect.

What I did differently for this one:
*I cut to the finished size & used multiple scraps of seam binding from my stash to finish all edges
*I cut the bottom edge to curve
* I added a pocket to the bottom 6" or so and stitched down 3 straight seams to make 4 pockets. (Ok, I actually didn't measure this. I just cut it the same width as the apron and I think it is about 6". The gift is wrapped or I would measure it!

And really, Presentation is Everything. Recently at Ross, I had picked up a 5 pk of glittery body splash spray ($5 for 5 sprays) to use as an easy add-on to birthday gifts. I rolled up the apron, tucked the orange splash in the pocket, and tied it with a ribbon.

So, I am going to say this gift cost me $1.00 because I really don't count using stuff from my stash! But seriously, isn't it better than another set of Polly Pockets?

A fun wall art project

Meredith found a project and thought it would be perfect for my playroom. As soon as I saw it I totally agreed! Check this out:

Begin with a blank canvas. The one I used is approximately 20X24 and I decided to do two of them to flank a window.

Next choose some scrapbook paper. I found this fantastic set at JoAnn's for half price. The colors were perfect for my playroom. I also knew that I could use any of the papers and they would all go together if they came from the same stack!

Decide how many circles you want on the canvas and then trace circles to fit that size. Mine worked out to be 3X4, 12 circles total. I chose 12 sheets of paper and cut two circles out of each one.

The finished circles

Circles arranged on canvas

I chose a color in the scrapbook papers that I loved and mixed some paints together to come up with a perfect Martha Stewart blue. It was slightly lighter than the blue in the papers and looked great with all of the colors. I then painted the entire canvas.

The circles arranged on the blue canvas in the final order. On the second canvas I rearranged the circles in a different order. In order to have them evenly spaced I just figured out that there needed to be 1 1/4 inch in between each circle so I just measured as I glued them down.

Decoupage the circles on to the canvas using ModPodge. Hint: The best result I found for a smooth, even finish is to completely coat the back of the paper with mod podge, then completely coat the circle area on the canvas as well. Wait a few seconds and apply the two together. Smooth over well. This will allow all edges to lay very flat.

The finished product hanging on the wall in my playroom.

The two canvases hung in the playroom

(Sorry the lighting in the picture is terrible but there was a bad glare coming through the window)

This would be an awesome project to do with your children. Mine are a little too young for that but I'm sure some kids would have a blast helping. I am contemplating making different pieces for each of my kids rooms!

Check out this link for our inspiration:
http://www.remodelingthislife.com/2008/08/29/diy-wall-art/