Sewing Surprises

I have the hardest time keeping gifts a secret.  I get so excited about them that I want to tell everyone about them, and that's especially true when the gift is something I've worked hard at making.

I made this sweet little apron for my sweet little niece, Jordan, who will be turning 3 in a couple of weeks.  She received a play kitchen for Christmas, along with pretend food, so I decided she needed an apron to go with it.  I'm new at this whole sewing thing, but I didn't think a toddler apron could be too difficult, and sure enough, it was a piece of cake.  I'm just hoping her mom doesn't get around to reading my blog any time soon, so that it can be a surprise for both of them.   

I did a google search for toddler apron patterns, and I found this one on Olah Momma! 

I usually dream big, so when I tackle a sewing project, it seems I always take on huge projects.  About five years ago, having only sewn one thing in my entire life, I came across a fat quarter bundle of adorable Mary Engelbreit fabric and decided I must have it.  I would make a quilt.  For my dog.  Over spring break.  Ha.

The quilt is nearly finished--I finally found time to finish the quilt top and I also found a friend willing to help me put it all together.  We've already made the quilt sandwich, so in the next couple of weeks, she's going to teach me how to make the binding and attach it.  Now that I'm about done with the fabric, I thought the cute Mary Engelbreit print just screamed "kitchen" and the scraps would be perfect for making Jordan's apron. 

Since this was my first small sewing project (other than burp cloths and wet bags, which are really small projects!), I was pleasantly surprised at how little time it took to complete.  I usually dread the tedious parts of sewing, like the measuring, cutting, and pinning.  I just want to get to the fun part already!  But this time it was easy--I did most of the cutting while watching the final NCAA basketball championship game.  I really enjoyed doing the ruffle, and it was fun to see it all come together. 

If I make another toddler apron, I'd use the same pattern, but give myself larger seam allowances.  The ones given on the website are so tiny that it makes the pinning, ironing, and sewing very tedious and much more time consuming than it has to be.  I'd also change the way the belt is constructed.  It wasn't worth it to flip the whole belt strip inside out, using a dowel rod and tweezers!  There are much easier ways to put it together. 

I added a pocket to the top of the apron for visual interest and also to add cohesiveness to the apron.  Each fabric is so different that while they all go together, it's hard to see how well they match unless you see the fabric pattern that ties them all together. 

   
I wish I had more time to ooh and ahh over my creation, but I've already had to say goodbye to it.  Damian's brother and his brother's girlfriend passed through town last night and are headed down to Gonzales, LA this morning, so they'll be bringing the present to our niece.  Happy Birthday, Jordan!