Welcome to my tutorial tips post! If you have purchased the tutorial, thank you for you support!
My
Retro-apron tutorial seems to be popular, and therefore I get lots of emails through Etsy with questions about the tutorial itself, as well as other apron-related stuff.
So, I have compiled some helpful tips here for you, and I might even update as new questions are answered, or as I find new things to add that may help you to make the cutest-ever aprons!!
ABOUT:
The PDF tutorial and pattern is a complete tutorial for
sewing a Dottie’s Diner circle skirt diner waitress apron, with a heart-shaped
bib and a pocket. This is my official instruction booklet for my best-selling
apron that I wrote myself. I have made and sold a ton of these aprons in my
Etsy shop, and this pattern can be used to make aprons to sell in your Etsy
shop as you please, or anywhere you may want to sell online.
PRINTING FAQ
As of now, I have changed the pattern and made it really
simple to print the pattern pieces. All pieces will fit on a standard sheet of
printer paper, in sections, so that you can print and tape them together. I
have gone to the trouble to make it really simple for you. Because I care ♥
DIFFICULTY:
If you have experience with the following techniques, and
you have at least a few years of sewing under your belt, you can probably get
through this apron pretty easily.
• Sewing
bias tape around a curved edge
• Sewing
bias tape to a heart-shaped edge, with a pivot point
• Stay-stitching
around a curved edge, clipping curves
• Attaching
a curved edge to a straight waistband
MATERIALS NEEDED:
• Main
fabric, for the top shorter skirt, and bib: 1 1/4 yards
• Accent
fabric for the under skirt, and ties: 2
yards
• Bias
tape, double fold double wide: 3 packages
• Ric
Rac: 1 package
• Purchased
ruffles for bib: 1 yard
• A basic
sewing machine
• Scissors
• Measuring
tape
• Thread to
match your fabric and bias tape
FAQ:
Q: Can I use this apron tutorial to make aprons to sell in
my Etsy shop?
A: Sure why not. I love it when I get pictures of completed
projects too; so please send me a picture of your finished aprons. If you are selling your aprons, let us know, I will post a link for people to see!
Q: How do I print the large pattern on several pages on my
printer?
A: I have the pages set up for easy printing. Each PDF will print on 1-6 pages- then you will arrange the pages and tape them together. No need to re-size or anything, the entire pattern will print true-to-scale.
Q: What if I can't find my digital download PDF that I
purchased?
A: This
link should explain how to find your files, if you purchased from my Etsy shop.
Q: What size is the pattern?
A: I made the pattern for a size small to large, with an average waist of 26 inches. I also included instructions on how to determine waist
diameter and easily make changes to fit your waist.
Q: I see your pattern listed several times in your shop,
with different “cover” photos; are they the same pattern with different
pictures?
A: Yes, they are the same. The reason I do this is to
attract people who may not realize they can make a large variety of colors and
combinations from my one pattern.
Q: I see a size XL as well- how different are the sizes/
what is the difference in the two patterns?
A: The XL pattern has
a larger waistband, and the skirt pattern pieces have a larger circle opening
for the waist; therefore the length has been adjust a little bit longer. The bib is the same in both patterns because it seems to fit any
size. I have tried making the bib larger for larger busted women, but it just
does not look right, so the heart-shaped bib is the same size no matter what
pattern you buy. If you look at the thumbnail images of the curvy-sized models
in the XL pattern listing- you will see the heart shaped bib fits them just
fine, and it has not been adjusted from the regular sized pattern at all.
Q: What if I want both pattern sizes?
A: If you want both pattern sizes, use coupon code 2PATTERNS
at checkout (in my Etsy shop) for 30% off entire order. Please only use this code if ordering
both patterns.
Q: My waist size is a little more than 26”, will this fit
me?
A: Yes, all you need to do is add a few inches to the waist
by making the opening (hole cut-out for waist) a little bit larger.
Q: How do I sew those straps onto the bib correctly!
A: There seems to be a lot of drama about sewing the straps onto the bib. I agree it can be a little weird. I will try to explain right now.
Hi Guys- so, after a particularly snarky review on my apron
pattern, I went a looked at my instructions again. Maybe my instructions were a
little hard to understand, so I’ll explain here, in the context of the blog, so
that if you are still confused you can comment and I will reply.
OK, so to attach the straps to the bib, after cutting the
bib and straps per the pattern, and sewing the straps/turning right-side out;
you will want to lay the straps on the back-side of the bib, exactly as shown
in this pic.
Notice how the straps are pretty much straight, with an
ever-so-slight angle towards each other near the bib bottom. This is so that
when the straps are turned up; they will lie beautifully on your shoulder and
kind of hug your neck. If you would
like, you could also just make them straight/parallel and it will still work
fine. I think the person who left a meanie review must have been using a
sharper angle, and I confess when I looked at the pattern there are some
markings for where to place the straps that would be screwed up. I have since
changed that.
If you would like the new bib pattern, here is a
link. This is a free PDF download, please respect the pattern, that is all I ask. thank you! The bib pattern prints onto 3 pages; 1, and 2 are the bib and page 3 is the instructions for taping together and other stuff.
After you place your straps in the correct place, and
clipped the excess flush with the bib edge, you can pin them in place as shown.
Then you will attach your bias trim all around the edge of the two bib pieces, catching
in the straps as you go.
 |
| this is the back side |
Then you will lay the bib front flat on the ironing board,
pull the straps up straight (or with a slight angle towards neck), and iron the
crap out of everything. Make everything lie flat, and obey you!
 |
| this is the front |
At this point you can turn the bib over, and add ric rac
around the edges. Make sure you sew the straps to the bib again while in the “up”
position, so that they always know where they are supposed to be.
Does that help at all?
xo
dottie
