TACTILE LAP APRON DIRECTIONS
SUPPLIES …
Assorted tactile fabrics: pieces at least 6² square
(fleece, toweling, chenille, corduroy, satin, velvet, fake fur, etc.)
Red flannel – 3/4 yard
(fabric options: flannel, broadcloth, corduroy)
Batting – 18² x 25² piece
Embellishments: lace, braid, rickrack, ribbon
Cording – 2 1/2 yard
Red Velcro – 7 1/2²
CUTTING …
Tactile fabrics – 15 – 5² squares in a variety of textures
3 – 4² x 5² pieces for pockets
Flannel – 1 piece 11² x 25² (back pocket)
1 piece 16² x 25² (lap apron back)
Batting – 16² x 25² piece
Embellishments – Cut to appropriate size for design
Velcro – 5 – 11/2² piece
Cording – 2 – 22² pieces for waist ties
2 – 18² pieces for front of apron
DESIGNING THE APRON … (See Diagram)
1. Lay out the 5² squares in three (3) rows of five (5) squares. Place the pockets in the middle row: one at each edge and the middle.
Hint: don’t put fake fur on the outside rows.
2. Decide on embellishments to create more texture. Pin to square.
3. Design pocket units.
BEFORE SEWING THE BLOCKS TOGETHER …
1. Stitch on embellishments that are pinned to individual squares … rickrack, braid, ribbon … by topstitching or using a decorative stitch.
2. Construct the pockets. First turn under a hem on the top of the pocket, and sew on any added decoration. Then baste the pocket to the 5² square by stitching 1/8² or so from the raw edge.
3. Some fabrics need to be stabilized. A flimsy fabric will be pinned to a firmer base fabric. Stitch the flimsy fabric to the stabilizing fabric about 1/8² from the raw edge.
SEWING THE BLOCKS TOGETHER …
1. Use a 1/4² - 3/8² seam to sew the blocks together.
*Sewing different weight fabrics together can be a challenge, so if you need to use a bit larger seam feel free to do that. It may also help to use a walking foot to sew the blocks together. Pin baste generously when needed.
*When sewing a stable fabric (corduroy, cotton) to a stretchy fabric (fleece, knits) put the stretchy fabric on the bottom next to the feed dogs. Be sure to stitch through the stable backing of the fake fur blocks.
*A bamboo skewer/kabob stick helps to tame fake fur pile by pushing it away from the seam.
2. Sew the blocks together by rows … 3 rows of 5 blocks.
3. Sew the rows together; turning the seams in the direction they want to go.
Be sure to stitch the cording into the seam when joining Row 1 and Row 2. Reinforce by stitching again in the seam allowance.
BACK POCKET CONSTRUCTION …
1. Make hem in back pocket piece (11² x 25²) by folding on 1/2² along one long edge; then fold over 1/2² again. Press. This will be the top edge of the pocket.
2. Find the center of the pocket, pin or press to mark as shown in Diagram A.
Measure to the right and to the left of the center mark – 4 1/2² and then
8 1/4², marking each location with pins or a pencil mark.
3. Place one cut edge of LOOP SIDE of Velcro piece on the hem centering at each mark. Pin in place.
4. Edge stitch the pocket hem stitching the Velcro in place at the same time.
5. Double stitch around each piece of Velcro.
BACK CONSTRUCTION …
1. Measure 4 1/4² down from one long edge of the apron back. (This establishes the pocket placement). Mark this line from edge to edge by pressing or drawing a pencil line. See Diagram B.
2. Find center of apron back. Measure to the right and to the left of the center mark – 4 1/2² and then 8 1/4², marking each location with pins or a pencil mark.
3. Pin HOOK SIDE of Velcro piece at each mark, centering as on pocket and top edge of Velcro piece on the 4 1/4² marked line.
4. Compare pocket to apron back to be sure the Velcro pieces are aligned correctly.
5. Double stitch around each piece of Velcro.
6. Put the pocket and apron back together using the Velcro closure. Smooth in place.
COMPLETING THE APRON …
*Use a walking foot to stitch the layers together and for topstitching.
1. Pin the waist ties on either side of the center block on the apron front with the right side up as shown in Diagram C.
2. With RIGHT SIDES together center the lap apron top on the pocket/back piece. Match the top raw edge of the apron to the top raw edge of the pocket/back unit. Pin carefully in place. Tuck ties inside.
3. Place the apron on the batting and pin.
4. Stitch 1/4² – 3/8² around apron leaving about a 7² opening at the bottom. Reinforce the seam by double stitching where the ties are inserted.
5. Trim away excess fabric, clipping corners. Turn inside out. Smooth out.
6. Pin the opening closed.
7. With the apron front up, top stitch 1/4² – 3/8² around the apron. Stitch the opening again, close to the edge.
8. Again, with the apron front up, using a serpentine stitch which straddles the seam (Diagram D), stitch along each seam from top to bottom. This will create the five pockets on the back.
Diagram C Diagram D
Ties
Opening