Valentine Tree & Apron 101
Oh Valentines Day. You are almost here. Oh you. I love your red
& white colors, your polka dots & glitter, your ric-rac and
ball fringe. Little Valentine tree, I love you. You were on a ridiculously good after-Christmas sale at Urban Outfitters and well, I couldn't just leave you there. No, that would be cruel.
Sure, I already have a Christmas tree. But not one that's metallic pink and certainly not one that's only 3 feet tall. I've dreamed of having you for a while now, and well, I am so glad you are here. So glad that you can make your debut as our very first Valentine Tree. I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Pam & I have been chit chatting about aprons lately and she has convinced me to give a little how-to on how I made my Valentine Ruffle Apron. This was no easy task, you know (giving the directions, not sewing the apron). Sure, I made the apron, but explaining how to do it, well, it's sort of making my brain hurt. I'm trying to trace back step-by-step and am hoping that I didn't leave out any important directions. And Pam, well she's fabulous and I feel it my duty to make sure that "every morning (and night) is a Pam Kitty Morning." This one's for you, Pam!
Ruffle Apron
You will need the following fabric:
(1) 15 1/2" x 20 1/2" piece of fabric for the back of the apron- Piece A
(4) 6 1/2" x 33 1'/2" pieces of fabric for the ruffles- Piece B
(2) 4 1/2" x 24 1/2" pieces of fabric for the apron strings- Piece C
(1) 4 1/2" x 20 1/2" piece of fabric for the band- Piece D
Directions:
Make a 1/4" hem by folding under 1/4" of the fabric and then folding over again, enclosing all raw edges of piece "A", iron under 1/4" on all sides and stitch.
"B" Pieces- Hem the same way on the two short sides and one long side, leaving one 33" side unsewn. Repeat with all 4 pieces.
Working on the right side of the fabric,
using long machine stitches, stitch along the unsewn side at 1/4" and
again 1/8" in seam allowance. Pull threads to adjust gathers. Starting on the bottom, pin the top edge of the ruffle to the wrong side of the fabric on piece "A" at about 1" up from the bottom. Wrap the gathering threads around the pin. Adjust gathers to fit across and pin piece down on opposite side. Stitch over the gathers to keep in place. 
Sew the next ruffle ("B") to piece "A" about 4 1/2" above the top of the previously sewn ruffle, making sure the top ruffles overlaps the bottom ruffle by about an inch. Repeat with remaining ruffles.
Once the ruffles are sewn on, you should have about 1 1/2" of piece "A" left at the top.
Take Pieces "C" and hem all 3 edges, leaving one short edge open. 
Next, take piece "D" and fold in half. Press with iron. Fold under 1/4" on remaining 3 sides. Place the top of piece "A" inside of piece "C" and pin to hold in place. Place pieces "C" on both ends of the band. Secure in place with pins. Stitch (2) short ends (being sure to catch the apron strings underneath) and stitch along the open end.
Phew. I think that's it. So, you should have ruffles on one side and when you turn it over, you will see the right side of the fabric. I hope this makes sense. It's getting very late and I've come down with a bit of a bug (it's a total drag! Little Henry has it, too. It's quite sad) I am hoping it doesn't prohibit the Valentine cookie and truffle making (and eating) festivities this weekend.
Anyway- if you decide to make this and come into any problems or have questions, just shoot me over an e-mail. I'm happy to help out in any way I can!
Happy Weekend, Friends!
So cute! Thank you :-)
Posted by: Juddie | July 01, 2008 at 07:10 PM
This is darling, and my next craft challenge. I love it and was looking for something new to test me on my sewing machine! Thanks.
Posted by: heatherlarson | June 14, 2008 at 09:38 AM
What an adorable apron! Thanks so much for the tutorial. I think I'm going to try to make it, but I'm really just starting to learn to sew so I have one question.
To make the ruffles, do I just not backstitch at the beginning and end of the fabric and then pull on the strings that are left over to make it gather? Then do I just tie what's left of the string together to keep the seam secure? Is that right?
Posted by: Meryl | April 28, 2008 at 07:05 PM
Love the apron! : )
Posted by: Anali | April 16, 2008 at 07:39 AM
Thank you for sharing this pretty and feminine apron. I can hardly wait to own one of my very own!
Posted by: Lea of Farmhouse Blessings | March 27, 2008 at 09:01 PM
This is so incredible. I just saw a link to this tutorial posted on the new apronista forum and HAD to check it out. I am going to try my hand at it. Thank you so much for sharing your time and talent to help novices like Moi!!!
Blessings... *Linda*
Posted by: Linda Pinda | March 27, 2008 at 03:57 PM
Thanks for the tutorial! I made a cute apron today and I love it! :)
Posted by: Sarah Z. | March 10, 2008 at 08:24 PM
I made this apron last week (finished today) and it turned out really nice! Thanks for the tutorial!
Posted by: Nicole | March 10, 2008 at 04:21 AM
That's really cute! I'll have to give this a try. Thanks for the tutorial.
Posted by: Tracie | February 18, 2008 at 06:31 AM
Morgan,
Thanks so much for sharing this tute - I LOVE this apron and have just made one for a Valentines swap this year (2008). I am defintely going to be making more of these!
Posted by: Heids | February 15, 2008 at 02:21 PM
I made several of these in the fall and neglected to say THANK YOU for such a fun little tutorial!!
Posted by: Shawnee Halligan | February 12, 2008 at 02:32 PM
I made several of these in the fall and neglected to say THANK YOU for such a fun little tutorial!!
Posted by: Shawnee Halligan | February 12, 2008 at 02:31 PM
can anyone tell me how to make those cute little pillow case rompers i see all over the internet? i would love to have the pattern or tutorial . i have 3 girl and clothes for them is expensive, im not great at sewing but that looks pretty. so if any one knows it can you send it to me @ shelleyb1988@aol.com thank you shelley
Posted by: shelley | January 25, 2008 at 10:30 PM
I wanted to know if there is a site that anyone could refer me to for someone that makes aprons?? I would love to get my own material and have someone make it for me. I have a sewing machine and have tried myself but I just cant get it right and have little to no free time. Can someone help me?? I love aprons and they are no where to be found around here as far as cuteness goes. :-(
Posted by: christina | January 15, 2008 at 11:46 AM
So lovely! I will be making these for Christmas! Thank you.
Posted by: Geo | December 07, 2007 at 11:57 AM
I just bought simplicity pattern # 3752 and started cutting out the ruffly apron! So cute.
Posted by: Katie Kates | November 02, 2007 at 06:31 AM
neato tut. i've blogged it and added you to my cache! thanks!
Posted by: pam | November 01, 2007 at 10:56 PM
I finally did it! Thanks for the great tutorial! If you would like to see it, you can visit
http://web.mac.com/dcgingras/iWeb/Beloved-Fair-y-tales/Coralee%27s%20Crafty%20Blog/C7E02200-6E01-4B56-81A6-FF83D5C67E95.html (you need to copy/paste this in order for it to work, I think)
Posted by: Coralee | September 22, 2007 at 12:05 PM
Thanks, got it bookmarked for a future project!
Posted by: Coralee | July 03, 2007 at 10:34 AM
the ruffled apron is so so cute, but ruffles are really hard for me. I guess I need to practice!
I think we need a Valentine tree!
Posted by: DaisyCake | March 26, 2007 at 08:42 PM
JEEPERS...i continue to be thrilled and thankful for all the wonderful blogs that share such inspiring creations....YOURS included!!! I just followed a link from someone else's site to yours and look forward to reading your archives. THANK YOU for the ruffle apron directions...simply adorable!
Posted by: Sarah | March 13, 2007 at 05:35 AM
That apron is fabulous! Makes me want to be in the kitchen...or maybe just think about being in the kitchen. I'll need the apron first!
Joan
Posted by: Joan Hawley | March 11, 2007 at 02:42 PM
Love the apron--you could make one in every color, not just for Valentine's day! I think I'll have to whipe one up in bright yellow sometime soon!
Posted by: Sarah | March 04, 2007 at 09:38 PM
What an adorable apron--and an adorable blog. I'm so glad I found it! I will visit often!
Posted by: Jen | March 02, 2007 at 05:56 PM
how cute is that?
infact how cute are those? both the tree and the apron. Must make myself one.
Posted by: monica | February 27, 2007 at 04:04 AM