So, I completed the groovy hostess apron from the tutorial at sew4home for my Sister In Law. You can view it in the previous posting.

I wanted to make a mini version of exactly the same apron for my niece (she is 17months old), but I was not 100% sure of what to do in relation to resizing the pattern.  To me (in theory) for this kind of pattern I was almost certain I could just resize it on a copier, but I am not confident enough with sewing or patterns to know if this was actually a viable option.

Free Retro Toddlers Apron Pattern and Tutorial Made with Laminated Fabric

Whilst wondering around the sew 4 home site, I came across this adorable retro style toddler’s apron, made with laminated fabric. Isn’t it the cutest thing ever?!

I decided that I would instead of trying to miniaturise the groovy hostess apron, that I would make this one in the same fabric so that my sister in law and niece would still ‘match’.

I did not use laminated fabric and used a low thread count cute dress cotton fabric.  compared to the quilting cottons I am used to (slightly more used to) it frayed like crazy…  I had a lot of trouble stitching the binding onto the apron after doing the binding across the top of the pocket, so I decided ( as I do quite often when I have troubles accomplishing things on the sewing machine) to do it by hand.  I am not the biggest fan of binding, but used emboidery thread in a similar colour to the binding and blanket stitched it on.  I think it looks quite nice hand stitched ( particularly because it is for a toddler).

Retro Toddlers Project Apron from Sew4Home Tutorial - Blanket Stitched Binding

Retro Toddlers Project Apron from Sew4Home Tutorial - Blanket Stitched Binding

I also (just to add something) added appliqued flowers  with vliesofix under the buttons down the centre of the pocket. The fabric is floral, so I just chose 3 flowers from leftover fabric to use for the appliques and cut them out.

Retro Toddlers Project Apron from Sew4Home Tutorial - Buttons

I made both aprons over the weekend (it would have been much quicker if I didn’t run out of binding and have to get more and – of course – if I did everything I could by machine).  So I found both tutorials reasonably easy to follow and am very pleased with my results.

Neither my niece (who only currently watches Yo Gabba Gabba on the pc) or my sister in law (or as far as I know) anyone else… actually reads this blog at the moment, so I doubt it would ruin the surprise before Christmas.  In case anyone was wondering (well you aren’t reading, so how can you be wondering hey?!)

Retro Toddlers Project Apron from Sew4Home Tutorial - Completed