Girl's Ruffled Half Apron

This apron for the Angel Heart Children's Shelter auction turned out A-dorable! Really! Look at how cute this thing is? Makes me wish I had a girl...

Girl's Ruffled Half Apron

Supplies: 

Main piece: 16 x 9

Ruffle: 2 1/2 x 54 (you can sew two pieces together if needed)

Pocket: scrap of fabric at least 3 1/2 by 4

54 inches of double fold bias tape

Start with the main piece of fabric. Using a bowl or plate trace the curve around the corners and cut. I used a really large bowl.

If needed sew the ruffled strip together to get the right length and press the seam open. 

Hem one side of the strip and do a basting stitch on the other side.

Need to know how to hem? Click here!

Gather the fabric by pulling the basting stitch, trying to create a cute little ruffle throughout like this one here. 

Pin the ruffle to the main fabric, right sides together.

Use lots of pins around the corners. Be careful not to catch the ruffles while sewing. Stitch right along the basting stitch. I went back and reinforced the seam with a zig-zag stitch but that is really up to you.

Cut out a basic pocket shape. Fold the raw edges in by 1/4 inch and press flat. If you are using bias tape over the lip of the pocket like I did you don't have to fold the top of the pocket over. Attach the bias tape to the top of the pocket at this time.

Pin the pocket into place and stitch as close to the edge as you can. Lift the pressure foot and pivot at the corners.

Now for the strings and top of the apron.

Fold the bias tape in half to find the center, open the bias tape up and pin it to the center of the apron. Pin the bias tape all the way along the apron. 

At the ends of the bias tape take about a 1/4 of an inch and fold it back into it's self creating an end to the tape. Pin in place.

Sew along the bias tape all the way from one end to the other, closing the opening in the bias tape and creating a cute top to the apron and straps!

And there it is the Girl's Ruffled Half Apron! (on a boy...)

On a dog...

And last but not least! On a toddler having a total melt down, because his mom dared to put this adorable apron on him, while big brother tries to comfort him. Don't let this effect your opinion of the apron, however, I'm pretty sure this grumpy toddler is teething all 4 canines this week.