July Apron Tutorial - Jeans Apron

OK I know it is the last week of the month. I have been battling what to do for the apron again. I really want to keep to my goal of reducing my stash of stuff and not buy more fabric to make aprons with. That is getting challenging, not that I don't have more stuff, but the coming up with a new idea on how to make aprons from it.
My kids said that I HAD to make a 4th of July themed apron so I used Patriotic fabrics from my stash. I also remembered seeing a Jeans apron idea somewhere and wanted to do something fun with what was left of my favorite pair of pants. (they had a major blow out and I can't wear them anymore.)
For the tutorial this month I will post how I made my version but I am also going to send you out into the net to see some other tutorials from some of my favorite bloggers so you can get more ideas and make your apron truly your own style.

Start off by taking an old pair of jeans and cutting off the waistband and the seat.

Smooth up the sides however you like. I took a plate and made a curve at the corners of mine.

Then I cut up the back seam a little way (4-5 inches or so) and overlapped the pieces so the bottom would lay flat.

Then I cut the yolk at the back of the pants under the waistband and inserted a rectangular pocket inside the apron. (there are more instructions at Betz White). You can make this pocket as deep as you want.

I top stitched the pocket down to give it more stability. ( I intend to use this for heavy crafting so I can keep track of all my tools.)
Then I finished off the edges of the jeans with Bias Tape (because I have tons of it in my stash).
You could just fold the edge under and top stitch, you could rag the edge or you could sew rick-rack down to finish it off.

Then I cut the ends of the waistband off and inserted ties into the ends and secured them. (My son Joe asked why I didn't just leave the button on there to use and then thought about it for a minute and said, "well I guess if it was too big then it would just fall of you mom and ties would be more useful wouldn't they?" Smart boy!! He will go far if he always assumes that things will be too big for the women in his life than too small.) Hee Hee Do be sure to allow yourself enough tie room. Mine are a little short so they don't make a bow.

I also added fabric flowers that I made from Patriotic fabric Bryan bought me last fall. They are so fun and fast to make. The tutorial is at Molly Chicken. If you Google "fabric brooch tutorial" or "Fabric Flower Tutorial" you will come up with some really wonderful and fun things to make.
The other place that I liked was at Kleas.

Mama Byrd Creations Dot Com

I am starting up a new Web Store Through Hyena Cart. It is called Mama Byrd Creations. I am pretty excited about it. This store will feature things that I make for Mamas and Children.

I will have

Bum Stuff

Soap

Baby Carriers

Baby Shoes

Aprons

Hand Made Toys

Dress-ups

Clothing

And other Fun Stuff

I have hired a graphics designer to help me do it all.
Here are some of the Shoe that are going into the store.

My friend Coralee makes these and I sell them for her.

Jeddie has a pair of these and we love them. They are really soft yet really protect his feet.
The design is very authentic. They are made from deer hide. My site is still under construction so I might just put a pair in etsy and see how they go.

Tasty Goodness

I tried some net yummyness this week. Bryan is nuts for good bread. My niece Katie posted a recipe for Quick Sour Dough Bread. It was quick, it does taste like sour dough, and it is very good. I added 2 Tablespoons of flax seeds. This changed it enough that I will have to do some tweaking. It was still very good!


I also went to The Black Apple and saw some yummy cupcakes.

The cup cake recipe is here. The butter cream recipe is here. My secret addition (not secret any more is it!?) is the addition of cinnamon. I added 1 tsp of cinnamon to the cupcakes and 1 tsp of cinnamon to the frosting. The cupcakes smelled just like snicker doodles when they came out of the oven. For more cupcake goodness go to 52 Cupcakes.

Gloria

We have had a new arrival here at the Byrd House.
She was rather shy at first. Didn't like the camera in her face.

Then her true monkey side came out and she just got really curious. She had to check everything out and wouldn't sit still for pictures.

We finally got her settled down and ready for a nap before going to her new mommy, Gwendoline.

Happy Pinkness

I realized that I have allowed the difficulties of life interfere with my blogging. This is my corner of happiness and fun. I need to post more.

My little Hannah turned 5 this month. I can't believe how time is flying. She starts kindergarten in a month. I don't know if I can bare to let her go. She is such a bundle of happiness.
My niece Angelic came here this summer and brought her (and her sisters) a tutu. Hannah wore it non-stop for 3 days. Bryan caught her wearing two of them the other day while I was at work. I was so happy he thought to take a picture.


We also held our family reunion on her birthday. It was so great to visit with my brothers and sisters and their children again. I will post some pictures of that funness when I get my hands on some.
My niece Josie was able to come from Nigeria (too fun to see her!). She brought me a wonderful treat from the markets there.

Not only is it a fabulous apron, but it is also blue, batik , and has a tree on it. All of my favorite things! (I don't know if that was Josie's intent but it was a happy coincidence.)