Sewing - Simple Tea Towel Apron to Sew

I save Fridays for posting my scrap pages on this Blog.  I guess I didn’t realize there was a Friday that landed on December 30^th for this year as I don’t have a scrap page prepared!  Instead, I want to share a tea towel apron that I sewed.  I’ll get back on track for next week.  I am posting this on both my SU! and Magenta Blogs so if you are a Follower of both my Blogs, you will see this post again.  It is just too neat not to share.

Anyways, if you have 20 minutes to spare, you must try this apron.  I am not the originator of this idea – it has been around for some time.  I had never tried it before and it sure is simple.

Supplies
1 tea towel 19”x 28“ or so.
3 m of 1” wide ribbon or you sure could sew a tube by joining lightweight fabric together.

You need to wash and dry the tea towel to shrink it before beginning.  Now press it.  Check the seams and re-sew if needed.

I found two spots that needed re-sewing on my towel.

Press the tea towel in half lengthwise with right sides together. Find the center of your ribbon and align it with the center of the towel's folded edge. I know, I know – this doesn’t seem right that you are pinning the ribbon on the wrong side of the tea towel but trust me, that is what you have to do.  Pin ribbon along folded edge, through both layers of the towel.  Sew along the top and bottom of the ribbon, through  all layers.

Mark the center of your ribbon and the center of the towel's folded edge with pins.

Sew through all thicknesses.

Fold the top layer of the tea towel up to meet the ribbon. Pin just the folded top layer, along the edges.  Now sew through the edges only.  Bar tack at the top if possible.  There is quite a thickness there so be careful – don’t break a needle as I did.

Pin just the folded top layer, along the edges.

Sew along the edges only.

Find the center of this flap and mark.  My apron had a line that I followed while sewing so it was pretty simple.  Now you have two healthy size pockets on your apron.  Again, bar tack at the top for security.  Finish the ends of your ribbon.  Since I am giving this as a gift, I added a label to the inside, bottom edge.  I’ve had these labels forever, I don’t even know where they came from.

Find the center of this flap and mark.

Finish the ends of your ribbon.

I added a label to the inside, bottom edge.

Wrap the ties back around to the front and tie them under the pocket.  That way, the apron will not move around while you are wearing it.  If I sew another apron, I might just use enough ribbon so that it ties at the back only – about 2 meters.  It takes a lot of ribbon to go around a guy twice!

Please leave me a comment if you enjoyed this.

I save Fridays for posting my scrap pages on this Blog.  I guess I didn’t realize there was a Friday that landed on December 30^th for this year as I don’t have a scrap page prepared!  Instead, I want to share a tea towel apron that I sewed.  I’ll get back on track for next week.  I am posting this on both my SU! and Magenta Blogs so if you are a Follower of both my Blogs, you will see this post again.  It is just too neat not to share.

Anyways, if you have 20 minutes to spare, you must try this apron.  I am not the originator of this idea – it has been around for some time.  I had never tried it before and it sure is simple.

Supplies
1 tea towel 19”x 28“ or so.
3 m of 1” wide ribbon or you sure could sew a tube by joining lightweight fabric together.

You need to wash and dry the tea towel to shrink it before beginning.  Now press it.  Check the seams and re-sew if needed.

I found two spots that needed re-sewing on my towel.

Press the tea towel in half lengthwise with right sides together. Find the center of your ribbon and align it with the center of the towel's folded edge. I know, I know – this doesn’t seem right that you are pinning the ribbon on the wrong side of the tea towel but trust me, that is what you have to do.  Pin ribbon along folded edge, through both layers of the towel.  Sew along the top and bottom of the ribbon, through  all layers.

Mark the center of your ribbon and the center of the towel's folded edge with pins.

Sew through all thicknesses.

Fold the top layer of the tea towel up to meet the ribbon. Pin just the folded top layer, along the edges.  Now sew through the edges only.  Bar tack at the top if possible.  There is quite a thickness there so be careful – don’t break a needle as I did.

Pin just the folded top layer, along the edges.

Sew along the edges only.

Find the center of this flap and mark.  My apron had a line that I followed while sewing so it was pretty simple.  Now you have two healthy size pockets on your apron.  Again, bar tack at the top for security.  Finish the ends of your ribbon.  Since I am giving this as a gift, I added a label to the inside, bottom edge.  I’ve had these labels forever, I don’t even know where they came from.

Find the center of this flap and mark.

Finish the ends of your ribbon.

I added a label to the inside, bottom edge.

Wrap the ties back around to the front and tie them under the pocket.  That way, the apron will not move around while you are wearing it.  If I sew another apron, I might just use enough ribbon so that it ties at the back only – about 2 meters.  It takes a lot of ribbon to go around a guy twice!

Please leave me a comment if you enjoyed this.

Craft - Christmas Songs for Stampers

Merry Christmas to all!  Thought I would leave you with five Christmas Songs for Stampers today.

The first Christmas song is sung to the tune of Winter Wonderland.

Brayers roll, are ya listening?

On the card, ink is glistening

A beautiful sight we're happy tonight,

Stamping in a winter wonderland.

In the kitchen we can build a snowman

Then add color to his carrot nose

You'll say: Are you finished?

I'll say: No ma'am,

I need to add some glitter to the snow.

When we stamp, ain't it thrillin'?

Even when the powders spilling

We'll create and we'll play, the art stamper way

Stamping in a winter wonderland.

This Christmas song is sung to the tune of Jingle Bells.

Dashing through the snow

To the stamp store here we go

O'er the streets we pass

Anxious to spend cash.

Stamps on store shelves call

Making spirits bright

Oh what fun it is to sing,

The stamping song tonight.

Stamping art, stamping art,

Stamping all the way

Oh, what fun it is to stamp

In the good old fashion way.

Stamping art, stamping art,

Stamping's here to stay

Oh, what fun it is to stamp

All the gifts you give today.

This song is sung to the tune of Let it Snow.

Oh the weather outside is frightful

But the inks look so delightful

So while the winters cold and damp

Let us stamp! Let us stamp! Let us stamp.

It doesn't take much convincing

And I've brought a tool for crimping

Choose some paper, turn up the lamp

Let us stamp! Let us stamp! Let us stamp.

When we carefully press just right

How we smile as the image unfolds

Add some color, so bold, so bright

The result is a sight to behold.

Our projects are quickly drying

And there's new techniques for trying

So until we get finger cramps

Let us stamp! Let us stamp! Let us stamp.

This Christmas song is sung to the tune of Deck the Halls.

Deck the halls with foils and glitters, Fa la la la la, la la la la

Tis the season for us stampers, Fa la la la la, la la la la

 Don we now our inks and powders, Fa la la la la, la la la la

Troll the heatguns and embossers, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

See the card stock blank before us, Fa la la la la, la la la la

Strike the ink and join the chorus, Fa la la la la, la la la la

Follow me in merry masking, Fa la la la la, la la la la

Join us in some Yuletide stamping, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Faint away with chalks and markers, Fa la la la la, la la la la

Hail the new, ye rubber stampers, Fa la la la la, la la la la

Stamp with joyous all together, Fa la la la la, la la la la

Heedless of the times that's passed us, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Sing to the tune of 12 Days of Christmas.

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me

12 rubber stamps

11 handmade papers

10 embossing powders

9 duel tip markers

8 paper edger's

7 assorted ink pads

6 funky stickers

5 exotic glitters

4 brass stencils

3 craft punches

2 paper crimpers

and a brand new embossing heat tool.

Merry Christmas to all!  Thought I would leave you with five Christmas Songs for Stampers today.

The first Christmas song is sung to the tune of Winter Wonderland.

Brayers roll, are ya listening?

On the card, ink is glistening

A beautiful sight we're happy tonight,

Stamping in a winter wonderland.

In the kitchen we can build a snowman

Then add color to his carrot nose

You'll say: Are you finished?

I'll say: No ma'am,

I need to add some glitter to the snow.

When we stamp, ain't it thrillin'?

Even when the powders spilling

We'll create and we'll play, the art stamper way

Stamping in a winter wonderland.

This Christmas song is sung to the tune of Jingle Bells.

Dashing through the snow

To the stamp store here we go

O'er the streets we pass

Anxious to spend cash.

Stamps on store shelves call

Making spirits bright

Oh what fun it is to sing,

The stamping song tonight.

Stamping art, stamping art,

Stamping all the way

Oh, what fun it is to stamp

In the good old fashion way.

Stamping art, stamping art,

Stamping's here to stay

Oh, what fun it is to stamp

All the gifts you give today.

This song is sung to the tune of Let it Snow.

Oh the weather outside is frightful

But the inks look so delightful

So while the winters cold and damp

Let us stamp! Let us stamp! Let us stamp.

It doesn't take much convincing

And I've brought a tool for crimping

Choose some paper, turn up the lamp

Let us stamp! Let us stamp! Let us stamp.

When we carefully press just right

How we smile as the image unfolds

Add some color, so bold, so bright

The result is a sight to behold.

Our projects are quickly drying

And there's new techniques for trying

So until we get finger cramps

Let us stamp! Let us stamp! Let us stamp.

This Christmas song is sung to the tune of Deck the Halls.

Deck the halls with foils and glitters, Fa la la la la, la la la la

Tis the season for us stampers, Fa la la la la, la la la la

 Don we now our inks and powders, Fa la la la la, la la la la

Troll the heatguns and embossers, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

See the card stock blank before us, Fa la la la la, la la la la

Strike the ink and join the chorus, Fa la la la la, la la la la

Follow me in merry masking, Fa la la la la, la la la la

Join us in some Yuletide stamping, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Faint away with chalks and markers, Fa la la la la, la la la la

Hail the new, ye rubber stampers, Fa la la la la, la la la la

Stamp with joyous all together, Fa la la la la, la la la la

Heedless of the times that's passed us, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Sing to the tune of 12 Days of Christmas.

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me

12 rubber stamps

11 handmade papers

10 embossing powders

9 duel tip markers

8 paper edger's

7 assorted ink pads

6 funky stickers

5 exotic glitters

4 brass stencils

3 craft punches

2 paper crimpers

and a brand new embossing heat tool.

MDS 043 The Holidays Start Scrapbook Page

Page before adding Photo boxes.

My Digital Studio Software by Stampin' Up!

Paper: Always Artichoke – Textured background, Deck the Halls 1 (3x12”) and 3 (5x12”).

Stamp Brush Sets: Bells & Boughs – poinsettia (Cherry Cobbler), Circle Circus – dotted circle (Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler), Season of Cheer (Cherry Cobbler).

Embellishments: Crochet Trim Ribbon – Victoria and Bow, Antique Brads 3.

Punches: Curly Label (Crumb Cake).

This is an 12x12 page.

I do not claim to be any type of photographer.  I have a plain and simple camera and I love to take pictures!

If you have just stumbled on my Blog, type ‘MDS Scrap Page’ in the Search Box (top left corner) to see what we have been doing.  I am using Windows 7 so you may need to click on HELP (across the top of the program), My Digital Studio Help if you are using a different Windows than me.   Watch for NEW Scrap Pages posted every Friday.

Page before adding Photo boxes.

My Digital Studio Software by Stampin' Up!

Paper: Always Artichoke – Textured background, Deck the Halls 1 (3x12”) and 3 (5x12”).

Stamp Brush Sets: Bells & Boughs – poinsettia (Cherry Cobbler), Circle Circus – dotted circle (Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler), Season of Cheer (Cherry Cobbler).

Embellishments: Crochet Trim Ribbon – Victoria and Bow, Antique Brads 3.

Punches: Curly Label (Crumb Cake).

This is an 12x12 page.

I do not claim to be any type of photographer.  I have a plain and simple camera and I love to take pictures!

If you have just stumbled on my Blog, type ‘MDS Scrap Page’ in the Search Box (top left corner) to see what we have been doing.  I am using Windows 7 so you may need to click on HELP (across the top of the program), My Digital Studio Help if you are using a different Windows than me.   Watch for NEW Scrap Pages posted every Friday.

MDS 042 A Merry Christmas Scrapbook Page

Page before adding Photo boxes.

My Digital Studio Software by Stampin' Up!

Paper: Always Artichoke – background, Deck the Halls 1 (5x12”) and 3 (6x8.5”).

Stamp Brush Sets: Bells and Boughs – A Merry Christmas (Cherry Cobbler), All Scallops (Cherry Cobbler), Bells and Boughs – A Merry Christmas (Cherry Cobbler) and holly (Always Artichoke).

Punches: Borders – tasteful trim 3 (Cherry Cobbler), Scallop Edge (Crumb Cake), Square for text box (Crumb Cake), Spiral (Always Artichoke), Circle - Deck the Halls 1 and Always Artichoke small polka dots. 

This is an 12x12 page.

I do not claim to be any type of photographer.  I have a plain and simple camera and I love to take pictures!

If you have just stumbled on my Blog, type ‘MDS Scrap Page’ in the Search Box (top left corner) to see what we have been doing.  I am using Windows 7 so you may need to click on HELP (across the top of the program), My Digital Studio Help if you are using a different Windows than me.   Watch for NEW Scrap Pages posted every Friday.

Page before adding Photo boxes.

My Digital Studio Software by Stampin' Up!

Paper: Always Artichoke – background, Deck the Halls 1 (5x12”) and 3 (6x8.5”).

Stamp Brush Sets: Bells and Boughs – A Merry Christmas (Cherry Cobbler), All Scallops (Cherry Cobbler), Bells and Boughs – A Merry Christmas (Cherry Cobbler) and holly (Always Artichoke).

Punches: Borders – tasteful trim 3 (Cherry Cobbler), Scallop Edge (Crumb Cake), Square for text box (Crumb Cake), Spiral (Always Artichoke), Circle - Deck the Halls 1 and Always Artichoke small polka dots. 

This is an 12x12 page.

I do not claim to be any type of photographer.  I have a plain and simple camera and I love to take pictures!

If you have just stumbled on my Blog, type ‘MDS Scrap Page’ in the Search Box (top left corner) to see what we have been doing.  I am using Windows 7 so you may need to click on HELP (across the top of the program), My Digital Studio Help if you are using a different Windows than me.   Watch for NEW Scrap Pages posted every Friday.

MDS 041 Gingerbread & Sugared Things Scrapbook Page

This is a 12x12 page.

If you have just stumbled on my Blog, type ‘MDS Scrap Page’ in the Search Box (top left corner) to see what we have been doing.  I am using Windows 7 so you may need to click on HELP (across the top of the program), My Digital Studio Help if you are using a different Windows than me.   Watch for NEW Scrap Pages posted every Friday.

Background paper - Designer Series Paper – Designer Kits – Christmas Jingle – 2.

Background paper – color – real red - Add as Page Layer – Double click & resize to about 6x12”.

Stamps – All Scallops – 4 - change color – chocolate chip - Copy & paste to make another one to fit across the page.  Drop Shadow – Opacity 45 Blur 9.
Embellishment – Designer Kits - Christmas Jingle borders – 2 – rotate - Opacity 55 Blur 9.

Embellishment – grosgrain ribbon – real red - Drop Shadow – Opacity 55 Blur 9.
Embellishment – grosgrain bow - real red - Drop Shadow – Opacity 55 Blur 9.

Punch – large arrow – rotate – color fill – paper fill – chocolate chip - Opacity 55 Blur 9. Use this as the trunk of your tree.  Once you are happy with your tree, click on one part of the tree.  Hold your shift key down & click on the other parts of the tree – Arrange – Group.  Now they are tied together.  You can move it wherever you want on your page without it coming apart.

Punch – large corner – rotate 45*– paper fill - Christmas Jingle – 3 - Copy & paste to make another one the same size - Drop Shadow – Opacity 65 Blur medium.  Set aside.

Punch – large corner – rotate 45*– paper fill - Christmas Jingle – 1 - Copy & paste to make another one the same size - Drop Shadow – Opacity 65 Blur medium.  Now stack these corners together to make a tree.

Background paper - Designer Series Paper – Designer Kits – Christmas Jingle – chocolate chip small Polka Dots - Add as Page Layer – Double click & resize to about 6-1/2x4-1/2”.

Stamps – Season of Joy – Merry Christmas border – grab a corner & stretch to fit across the page - change color – Old Olive.

Stamps – Sweet Season – gingerbread - change color – Very Vanilla.

Background paper - Designer Series Paper – Designer Kits – Christmas Jingle – 3 - Add as Page Layer – Double click & resize to about 4x4-1/4” - mat – chocolate chip.

Embellishment – Designer Kits - Christmas Jingle elements – berries 2 - Copy & paste to make 4.

Stamps – Notes – curly cue - change color – Very Vanilla - Copy & paste to make 2.

This is a 12x12 page.

If you have just stumbled on my Blog, type ‘MDS Scrap Page’ in the Search Box (top left corner) to see what we have been doing.  I am using Windows 7 so you may need to click on HELP (across the top of the program), My Digital Studio Help if you are using a different Windows than me.   Watch for NEW Scrap Pages posted every Friday.

Background paper - Designer Series Paper – Designer Kits – Christmas Jingle – 2.

Background paper – color – real red - Add as Page Layer – Double click & resize to about 6x12”.

Stamps – All Scallops – 4 - change color – chocolate chip - Copy & paste to make another one to fit across the page.  Drop Shadow – Opacity 45 Blur 9.
Embellishment – Designer Kits - Christmas Jingle borders – 2 – rotate - Opacity 55 Blur 9.

Embellishment – grosgrain ribbon – real red - Drop Shadow – Opacity 55 Blur 9.
Embellishment – grosgrain bow - real red - Drop Shadow – Opacity 55 Blur 9.

Punch – large arrow – rotate – color fill – paper fill – chocolate chip - Opacity 55 Blur 9. Use this as the trunk of your tree.  Once you are happy with your tree, click on one part of the tree.  Hold your shift key down & click on the other parts of the tree – Arrange – Group.  Now they are tied together.  You can move it wherever you want on your page without it coming apart.

Punch – large corner – rotate 45*– paper fill - Christmas Jingle – 3 - Copy & paste to make another one the same size - Drop Shadow – Opacity 65 Blur medium.  Set aside.

Punch – large corner – rotate 45*– paper fill - Christmas Jingle – 1 - Copy & paste to make another one the same size - Drop Shadow – Opacity 65 Blur medium.  Now stack these corners together to make a tree.

Background paper - Designer Series Paper – Designer Kits – Christmas Jingle – chocolate chip small Polka Dots - Add as Page Layer – Double click & resize to about 6-1/2x4-1/2”.

Stamps – Season of Joy – Merry Christmas border – grab a corner & stretch to fit across the page - change color – Old Olive.

Stamps – Sweet Season – gingerbread - change color – Very Vanilla.

Background paper - Designer Series Paper – Designer Kits – Christmas Jingle – 3 - Add as Page Layer – Double click & resize to about 4x4-1/4” - mat – chocolate chip.

Embellishment – Designer Kits - Christmas Jingle elements – berries 2 - Copy & paste to make 4.

Stamps – Notes – curly cue - change color – Very Vanilla - Copy & paste to make 2.

MDS 040 Happy Holidays Scrapbook Page

Page before adding Photo boxes.

My Digital Studio Software by Stampin' Up!.

Paper: Jolly Holiday 4 (background) and 2.

Stamp Brush Sets: Old Saint Nick (Cherry Cobbler), Season of Cheer – Happy Holidays (Cherry Cobbler).

Embellishments: Holly and Jolly – row of trees and others to suit your page, Bakers Twine (Cherry Cobbler).

Punches: Decorative label (paper fill Jolly Holiday 2), Ornament for text box (Old Olive).

This is a 12x12 page.

I do not claim to be any type of photographer.  I have a plain and simple camera and I love to take pictures!

If you have just stumbled on my Blog, type ‘MDS Scrap Page’ in the Search Box (top left corner) to see what we have been doing.  I am using Windows 7 so you may need to click on HELP (across the top of the program), My Digital Studio Help if you are using a different Windows than me.   Watch for NEW Scrap Pages posted every Friday.

Page before adding Photo boxes.

My Digital Studio Software by Stampin' Up!.

Paper: Jolly Holiday 4 (background) and 2.

Stamp Brush Sets: Old Saint Nick (Cherry Cobbler), Season of Cheer – Happy Holidays (Cherry Cobbler).

Embellishments: Holly and Jolly – row of trees and others to suit your page, Bakers Twine (Cherry Cobbler).

Punches: Decorative label (paper fill Jolly Holiday 2), Ornament for text box (Old Olive).

This is a 12x12 page.

I do not claim to be any type of photographer.  I have a plain and simple camera and I love to take pictures!

If you have just stumbled on my Blog, type ‘MDS Scrap Page’ in the Search Box (top left corner) to see what we have been doing.  I am using Windows 7 so you may need to click on HELP (across the top of the program), My Digital Studio Help if you are using a different Windows than me.   Watch for NEW Scrap Pages posted every Friday.