With a future of box packing looming in my future, I happily sat infront of my machine and finished up my latest project - the Hoodie Apron! Things went together without a hitch and the packaged bias tape sped things up quite a bit. But, before I go into more detail of this pattern, let me give you a peek at one side of this apron:

So, things about the pattern that I noticed: I've looked and looked, but no where can I find what the seam allowances are - I used 5/8". If you're unfamiliar with making your own bias biniding, you may want to look it up prior to working with this pattern...the directions for this part of the apron are very limited. Lastly there's the waistband and ties - I just kind of winged this since I'm not really sure what she was after with it. For example, it told me to attach one side of the waistband to the apron, but not the other. She also has you cutting 4 ties, but I'm not sure how she really wanted you to put them together so I sewed two pieces right sides together to make one tie. This resulted in a shorter apron string which can only be tied in the back. I still like it, but next time I'll sew them short sides together first to make a longer.

And now enough about the directions! Here's a photo of the reversible side:

Since I've got 1 week until my sister-in-law's bridal shower, I thought that I had better get moving on her apron. I washed the fabrics, traced the pattern, and started cutting everything out. For those of you who own this pattern, but haven't tried it yet, let me give you a tip - fabric width is important! Both fabrics that I am using measure 44". However, the pattern is larger than the width of the fabric. So, in both cases, I had to change the pattern layout to make it work. For the swirl fabric (which I had gotten a yard and a half) I used the length of the fabric to cut the pattern and for the cherry print, I had to open up the entire piece of fabric (no doubling over) and place the swirl fabric on top of it and finagle it's arrangement.

I've also decided to skip making my own bias binding. Since I had decided to use a 'basic black' cotton for the binding, I'm 'cheating' and using prepackaged. This should make the whole process go faster. Now, it's time to get sewing on this one (by the way, all the info on this pattern can now be found on the sidebar)!

While I was out (getting the binding), I saw that the Summer issue of Sew Stylish is out. I went ahead and picked up a copy (and one for you too, Melissa) and have thumbed through it. From what I can tell, there are a few Threads magazine article rehashes, but there looks to be some new ones in there too? I'll have to spend more time reading it and see.

What is everyone making this holiday weekend (besides dying Easter eggs)?