• Home
  • Blog
  • 2020 Finish - A - Long
  • 2019 Finish - A - Long
  • 2018 Finish - A - Long
  • Contact
  • 2017 Finish - A - Long
  • Shop
Marci Girl Designs

Zakka 2.0 - Polka Dot Cafe Apron

6/28/2013

6 Comments

 
Picture
Here we are at Week Four of the Zakka 2.0 Sew Along.  This week my project is an ode to Denyse Schmidt, the fabric designer.  The majority of the prints in this jazzy little apron are by Denyse Schmidt, I used three of her fabric lines, and I think they blend so well.  The little bits of "kitchen scenes and chickens" featured in the pocket quilt blocks are various designers, but everything else is by her.  The quilt blocks feature fabric from the Quilter's Quarters sold at JoAnn Fabrics, this fabric was also used as the binding on top of the pocket.  The body of the apron is a home dec/canvas print from the Country Fair line, I've been hoarding this fabric for quite a while.  The straps are from her Flea Market Fancy Legacy line.  See, I told you it was an ode to her!
Picture
I actually made the quilt blocks last week, and instead of using the templates that were in the book, I just measured and used my clear quilter's ruler.  This method worked out great, especially for fussy cutting since I could see through the ruler.  I sewed them all together and then they just sat there staring at me for the majority of the week.  I couldn't decide whether I wanted to make the apron or something else.  Well obviously the apron won out, and I am so glad that I went that route in the end.
Picture
I used a cheapo muslin for the back of the blocks/pocket lining, and did a simple straight line quilting on the pocket.  I did change the way the author suggested finishing up the top binding on the pocket.  I sewed it on the way she suggested, but then she suggested hand stitching it down on the backside (inside of the pocket.)  Well I was way to lazy for that and just stitched in the ditch right at the top of the pocket/binding, thus sealing it on the backside.  If you look closely at the block above you can see my stitching right on the line, or below it.  That was a huge time and sanity saver.
Picture
The book suggested using a twill fabric for the body of the apron, but I wanted to use stash and after a bit of digging, unearthed this home dec fabric and decided to go for it.  Wild and crazy?  Yes, a bit, but I love it, and I feel that the pocket stands out on the dark background fabric.

I am a petite gal, so I chopped off 1" on the bottom of the apron, just to shorten it a bit, which was perfect, thus instead of placing the pocket 2.75" from the bottom edge, I placed it 2" from the bottom edge.  I also created two pockets instead of one, simply by stitching in between two of the blocks.  So the first quilt block is one pocket, and the last two combined are the second pocket.  This way pencils and such won't get lost in a huge open pocket.  You can also see in the photo below the reinforcement stitching that I did on the spot where the ties meet the apron body.  This way I know they won't be coming off.  The book called for you to cut the ties at 34" long, but since I cut them with the width of the fabric, which was around 42", I just left them at that length.  A little extra length never hurt anybody, right?  I don't think so.

I am pleased as punch with this little apron and look forward to using it in the kitchen and if I ever tackle any other craft fairs, I can use it there too!
Picture
Details of the Sew Along:
Book:  Patchwork, Please! by Ayumi Takahashi
Sew Along: Hosted by LRstitched and A Quilter's Table
Project: Polka Dot Cafe Apron
Flickr Group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/patchworkplease/
Picture
6 Comments
Debbie link
6/29/2013 04:15:14 am

oh "jazzy" indeed! I love it and all that great DS in there! Love your little tweaks and your detailing - very nicely done, Marci!!

Reply
karen@CapitolaQuilter link
6/29/2013 08:44:53 am

Adorable fussy cut details - really over the top cuteness.

Reply
Amandak@whatthebobbin link
6/29/2013 08:58:01 am

Absolutely love this.

Reply
Rumeysa link
6/30/2013 06:13:30 am

I love your blocks especially the last one. It's adorable!

Reply
Flying Blind
7/1/2013 01:33:17 am

Love it, and not just because it is Denyse Schmidt xxx

Reply
Sara link
7/1/2013 05:44:17 am

i love your fabric choices! i am a big DS fan as well.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Marci Girl

    A feisty mom designing, sewing and blogging her way through everyday life!

    Subscribe
    Follow on Bloglovin
    Picture
    Follow on Bloglovin


    Categories

    All
    2017 Finish A Long
    2018 Finish A Long
    2019 Finish A Long
    Bee Sewcial
    Book Reviews
    Clothing
    Everyday Life
    Giveaways
    Handbags
    Handstitched Class
    Inspirational Projects
    Marci Girl Designs
    Projects
    Quilt Along
    Quilting Bees
    Quilts
    Random Thoughts
    Recipes
    Sew Along
    Sewvivor
    Style Stitches
    Swaps
    The Penny Sampler Class
    Tutorials
    Wip Wednesday


    Happily
    Participating In:

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Picture


    Archives

    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    July 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    September 2015
    July 2015
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010

    Picture

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.