CUTE!! Pink Gingham Tiered Apron Upcycle

So did you see my silly mistake on yesterday's post? I can tell you I did NOT make the same mistake with this one. Well, mostly because this one didn't come with pockets, lol! I followed the same method as my earlier apron upcycle tutorial.

This one was a girls skirt. I love using girls skirts for these aprons because 1) they are shorter and 2) they're CUTER! If you choose a girls size 14-ish, just before junior's sizes then you still get the desirable apron front coverage that fits a wider variety of sizes.

Am I right?? Isn't this the cutest thing you have ever seen?? I lucked out with this one, I was just passing through the kid's aisle, making my way through the Salvation Army store and this print was sticking out. Score!! I know I need to spend more time in that section.....

Pink gingham apron

Some kid loved this skirt. There was a rip on the lower tier that I found just when I thought I was finished. No problemo, I LOVE the patch I used!

Pink gingham apron

See the patch? It is from a ridiculously loud dress that had the most amazing floral pattern and gold glitter. This fabric is best in much smaller doses, lol! 

Pink gingham apron

There were also a couple of very small holes at the top that I pulled closed with thread.

Pink gingham apron

I can't wait to do these girl's skirt aprons again. Ooooh, they're so cute!

Skirt to Apron Upcycle Tutorial

A few days ago I promised a tutorial. I think I was talking about fabric cuffs but what I actually have today are

Aprons!

Here is how I upcycle a skirt into an apron. It's so easy, you'll see! I begin with a cute skirt. Size doesn't matter as much as cuteness. I have used everything from a girls size 16 to a women's size 10. I also have a women's size 16 in the works.....

Begin by opening up the back. I used a seam ripper for this one. If you'd rather (or if there is no back seam), you can cut instead of rip the seam.

Cute skirt

Ripping the back seam

Seam ripped

Once you have opened up the back of the skirt, then sew the hem.

Sewing a hem

I like to use a zig zag stitch (of course, if you have an overlock machine, that would be appropriate here).

Zig zag stitch

Zig zag stitch

Next, choose some cute cloth for the ties. For this one I tore some strips of yellow sheet. As for length, just use strips that are long enough to tie apron in back and/or wrap and tie at the front. I don't have a specific measurement.

Apron ties upcycle 

I left the tattered edge because I think it's soooo cute. I folded the strip in half the long way and sewed the edges together, again using a zig zag stitch. I sewed it to the top edge of each side of the apron.

Sewing ties to upcycled apron

And, voila, here is what you end up with! See? Easy!

Upcycled apron

Upcycled apron

Upcycled apron

Aprons and Scrap Cuffs, Oh My

Ahhhh, spring is coming! Spring?!? We are already having summer here in California. #springwherethehellareyou  Spring means that my little shop will be moving away from heavy winter crochet and into upcycled accessories, yay! At least, for a couple of months :) I know my hands really want to work with cool cotton right now.

 Last summer I embroidered the word, Love, in several different languages on this skirt. It didn't sell and I keep looking at it sideways. I am thinking...apron! What do you think? Would this make the cutest apron?? I am thinking yes. I actually have a small stack of skirts calling my name right now.....

Girls Old Navy Skirt

Something else I haven't touched since summer are my fabric cuffs. You know how you sometimes have this constant longing for chocolate in the back of your psyche? That's how I am feeling about fabric cuffs right now. I love making them!! I think I need to include fabric flowers on a lot of them and call them corsages. Check this out, what I have been seeing on and around Etsy. {Just so we're clear, these aren't mine and I have no intention of copying them.}
Okay all, take note of the first photo, the jeans cuff. Are these not to JUST DIE FOR?? I wish I'd thought of this. But then, I know that they are 20x harder than they look to make. Well worth paying for, even for a DIYer.....

'Cool Fabric Cuffs' by Angelstitchbroderie

Levi Denim Cuff Bracelet - J... PieceLust $25	Wrist Corsage Bracelet, Fabr... rosyposydesign... $42	Fabric Cuff Bracelet Art Jew... FlowingReflect... $30
Fabric Cuff Bracelet, Fabric... Jolicoeuretcie $15	Vintage Fabric Cuff bracelet... hopeandjoystud... $22	Red Silk Fabric Cuff Bracele... SouthernTwiste... $30
Henna Fabric Cuff Bracelet -... PapaverineDrea... $14	Brocade Fabric Cuff Bracelet... mailebaldwin $14	Fabric Roses Cuff Bracelet, ... CarolinaVintag... $20

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

Now, the following are mine. I made these last year and re-listed them on Etsy. I just love that there is no end to the possibilities of what you can come up with.....I think I might be getting ready to bust out a tutorial or two. Stay tuned :)

French Inspired Shabby Apron

When I was at the Orangevale craft fair last month, Red Sky Enterprises was selling aprons and bags with iron-on designs on them.

Jerry's Canvas Grocery Tote

Since then I have been craving vintage and/or French inspired images on aprons. I [finally!!] got myself to Hobby Lobby for some iron on paper and I found some delicious images on Graphics Fairy.  I have been saving my favorite images on my new Images board on Pinterest. Here is what I chose for my first apron.

Chocolat image

I chose blue and white striped cotton for my apron, left the edges raw for a shabby look and here she is~

Shabby french inspired apron

Shabby french inspired apron

Shabby french inspired apron

Shabby french inspired apron

Shabby french inspired apron

Shabby french inspired apron

Shabby french inspired apron

I think I'll wear it in the kitchen on Christmas and make my family jellies, bwah ha ha!

Shabby Striped Apron

These aprons aren't my first foray into aprons. But this style is by far my favorite! They are easy to make, look cute and the shabby-ness gives them a bit of originality.
For these aprons I used a green and blue striped cotton sheet. The cotton was very crisp, not as worn as some of my vintage sheets. And, the stripes are to die for! For the contrasting butterfly embellishment I used a cute floral in the same colors. I only wish I could have switched the patterns, make the floral the apron and the stripes the butterflies. But I didn't have anywhere near enough of the floral fabric for any aprons. Oh well.......

Here is the bib apron, inspired by a 70's apron that I have.

Striped shabby apron

See the butterfly? I love it. I just wish there were a bit more contrast.

Striped shabby apron

 Here is my half apron.

Striped shabby apron

Striped shabby apron

I just realized, this guy stole my color pallet! He wears them beautifully, doesn't he?

Peacock

The bridge where I took these shots. Very romantic setting. Too bad I was alone ;-)

Bridge

Shabby Floral Apron

I don't know what it is. I find something so soothing about ripping fabric. Especially vintage sheets. With this particular sheet, it was hard for me to commit to that first rip. I had bought this sheet with the intention of backing a denim quilt with it. That hasn't yet happened. But I love this sheet so much, I couldn't just watch it sit there on the shelf week after week. Right?
This beautiful sheet is so soft and just slightly faded. I thought it would make the cutest, romantic, comfortable apron. So I committed.
I ripped rectangles, long lengths for ties and a few bibs. I chose an Asian inspired print for cute contrasting butterflies. I hand frayed all of the edges and sewed a zig zag to protect against further fraying. Then I sewed them all together! So cute. I love the romantic tattered frayed look so much.

Apron from a vintage sheet

Apron from a vintage sheet

I don't know what it is, I just love the frayed edge. So soft and romantic....

Apron from a vintage sheet

Apron from a vintage sheet

Apron from a vintage sheet

The contrasting butterflies were sewn on with a zig zag stitch, the exposed edges will tatter with use.

Apron from a vintage sheet

Apron from a vintage sheet

This bib apron was loosely patterned from a vintage 70's apron that I have.

Apron from a vintage sheet

Here is my location for these shots. What a place for photos! 

Bridge