Lookin' Hot While Cookin' Hot, or why this guy thinks I'm a creepy creepster

Our very gracious waiter and his swanky apron!

 

So months upon months ago I decided to do a post on DIY aprons, which are just about the easiest item to sew! Especially if you are a sewing novice, you’ll find making an apron satisfying and fun. You don’t even need to buy a pattern, I promise! I’ve included pictures of several beautiful aprons my good friend Sarah sewed as Christmas gifts years back. As these aprons are so feminine and fun, they are great inspiration for stylish gals who like to get down and dirty in the kitchen! But these days awesome gentlemen are also making their mark with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And, they deserve to look good while they’re heating things up in the kitchen, too! With this in mind some friends and I asked this great guy, a waiter at Max Brenner’s, if we could put up a pic of him in his super manly apron. I love how it almost looks like a utility apron from a wood shop or smithy!  So my friends, Suzanne and Alan, and I were talking with this guy and telling him all about the up coming post months and months ago, and promised him we’d send him a link…. but as you can see I never did.  So now I’m pretty sure he thinks back upon his interaction, with our bold manner and imposing camera, and he shivers… And of course I lost his contact info, but if any of you see him at Max Brenner’s, give him the link and tell him thank you! Oh, and ladies, he was so sweet and gracious, and so single!

Heather, Malorie, and Erika, circa 2006 in aprons made by our dear friend, Sarah

Now, on to the nitty gritty of DIY aprons, go make your selection at your favorite fabric store (Jomar stores have an excellent and very inexpensive options, and if you sign up on line at Jo-Ann Fabrics they will occasionally send you a coupon for 40% off one item, including fabric). You’ll need maybe a yard (to have room for the body and the ties), and you may want to get to different colors so you can line the apron or have it be reversible. If you choose not to line your apron, purchasing decorative notions (lace, piping, etc) can be sewn around the seams to give a nice finished look. Make sure to purchase thread (either matching your fabric or using contrasting colors). You can also use ribbon for the neck loop and ties if you like.

 Lay your existing old apron over your fabric, and trace or free cut around, leaving 5/8 or an inch or so extra (this will be your seam for sewing). Measure the neck loop and the ties based on your old apron, and double the width and then add the 5/8^th inch. Put right sides together and sew along the 5/8^th inch along the long-side of you ties, and along one of the short sides. Push in a wooden spoon into the seam in stitched short-side and use it to pull the fabric of the tie right side out. Fold your un-sewn short edge over at the end, having about an inch overlap and sew it.  If you are lining it, put the right sides (patterned side) of your fabric together, and sew along the 5/8^th, leaving the top section by the head un-sewn. Use this section to turn the garment right side out. Pin your ties and neck loop to the side that will serve to be your lining or wrong aside. (If you are an experienced sewer, go ahead and sew the ties in-between your front and lining).For your ties make sure you have at least an inch and a half of overlap with the body of your apron so they won’t rip. Stitch it securely, and enjoy lookin’ hot while you’re cookin’ hot. 

                            *Marcie