Level: All

Amy says, "This is one of my family favorites. To keep me busy on special days my mother would always lay out this apron for me. I would make place cards, napkin rings and table decorations while the big people cooked. When dinner was ready for the table, it was time to take my pad and get drink orders. What a clever mother I have!

Janome Supplies Required:

• Any Janome Sewing Machine
• Quilting Guide

Fabric and Notions Required:

• 1 yd. apron fabric -- makes 2 aprons; more if you don't want to gather for a carpenter style
• Dressmaker's thread

Instructions:

1. Cut a piece of fabric 32" x 22". This is the apron body.
2. Cut another piece of fabric 4" long x 45" wide. This is the waist- band.
3. Fold the large piece of fabric in half so it's 16" x 22" with right sides together. Sew a 5/8" seam along 16" sides. Turn right-side out and press.
4. Press up a 3" pocket and stitch close to the edge.
5. Mark the center front and stitch a straight line. Place your quilting guide in the machine, setting it 1" from the needle. Use this to stitch lines for you crayons, scissors and any other item. Be sure to leave room for a glue stick and pad.
6. Stitch gathering stitches along the raw edge. Using a basting stitch, stitch _" from the edge and then again _" from the edge. Pull threads until you achieve the desired fullness.
7. Along the 45" side of waist-band, turn up 5/8" and press.
8. Match the center of the tie's raw edge (side not folded) -- right side -- to the wrong side of the apron body raw edge. Pin together. Sew apron body to waist-band with a 5/8 inch seam allowance.
9. Press seam allowance and waist-band's edge towards the other pressed edge. Press short edge of waist-band in towards other pressed edges.
10. Fold waist-band in half, covering seam allowance. Top stitch waist-band in place.

Make one of these aprons for your little helpers and see if my mother's trick works for you.