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This year, celebrate an extra holiday the day before Thanksgiving! Tie One On Day, created by essayist and "apron archaeologist" EllynAnne Geisel, is an opportunity to connect with your friends and neighbors and share a bit of your own bounty with others. Here's how it works:
On the day before Thanksgiving, pause in the preparation of your own meal, wrap a loaf of bread or other baked good in an apron, tuck in a note of encouragement, and tie one on ... an apron, of course! Deliver the wrapped bundle to someone without your bounty ... a neighbor, friend, or family member in need of physical or spiritual sustenance, a bit of recognition or just a kind word.
For embroiderers, it's a chance to share a bit of beauty and encouragement via a personally selected embroidery design, too! On this page you'll find all the ingredients for a heartwarming Tie One On Day: apron instructions, sweet recipes, and inspirational messages. Enjoy these resources, and have a beautiful Tie One On Day!
Supplies
Sweet 'n' Simple Apron
Stitch up a super sweet, super simple apron! Aprons are quick and easy to make and are a great way to display your favorite embroidery designs. A contrasting sash gives this sweet apron some extra spice!
To make this apron, you will need:
- 1 yard canvas - for apron body
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2/3 yard printed quilter's cotton - for sash
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One 3-yard package bias tape - for trim and ties
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Medium weight cutaway stabilizer
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Air-erase pen or dressmaker's pencil
Use an air-erase pen or dressmaker's pencil to mark out the basic shape of the apron:
Mark a rectangle, 35 inches by 27 inches.
Designs Used
Mark horizontal lines 1 inch, 7 inches, and 13 inches from the top of the apron rectangle. Mark a line vertically down the center of the apron, from the top to the 13 inch line.
At the top line, measure 5.5 inches to each side of the center, and make a mark. This 11 inch span is the top of your apron.
At the 7 inch line, measure 9 inches to each side of the center, and make a mark. This 18 inch span is the width of your apron at mid-chest.
On each side, draw a gently curving line connecting the marks.
Cut out the apron shape.
Embroider your design on the apron, centering it over the point where the 7 inch line and the center line intersect.
Press under the side edges of the apron 1/4 inch, then 1/4 inch again. Stitch.
Press under the bottom edge 1/4 inch, then 1 inch. Stitch.
Do the same for the top edge - fold under the edge 1/4 inch, then 3/4 inch. Stitch.
Now only the "armhole" edges remain unfinished.
Cut your 3-yard piece of bias tape in half. On each side of the apron, use one of the pieces to cover the raw fabric edge. Pin in place and stitch. Keep stitching all along the tape, even where there's no apron attached, to make the ties.
At the bottom of each armhole curve, trim the bias tape so that it lines up with the finished edge. This corner will be covered by the sash later.
Trim about 12 inches off the end of each tie (feel free to try on the apron and trim more or less if you like).
Fold over the end 1/4 inch, then 1/4 inch again. Hand-stitch in place to finish.
For the sash, cut out three rectangles of printed fabric, 6 inches by 1 yard.
Stitch the pieces end-to-end, right sides together, to make one very long strip of fabric. Press the seam allowances to one side.
Fold the strip in half the long way, right sides together, and stitch to make a tube.
Press the seam open. As much as possible, use just the tip of the iron to press open the seam allowance without creasing the entire piece.
Hook a safety pin to one end of the tube. Guide the safety pin through the inside of the tube to turn it right side out.
Press the sash flat with the seam along one edge.
Tuck the raw ends to the inside of the tube and press. Stitch across the end to finish.
Place the sash across the front of the apron, making sure it's centered. Align the top edge with the bottom of the armholes so that the sash just covers the place where the bias tape ends. If your 13 inch line is still visible, you can use it as a guide.
Pin in place and stitch along the top and bottom edges of the sash where it covers the apron. Stitch across the sash at the side of the apron, too.
And you're finished!
Bundle this "sweet" apron with some homemade baked goods and a heartfelt message. It'll make a beautiful gift for family, friends, and neighbors!
Find just the right apron for everyone on your list with these other apron projects:
