The making of a patchwork apron for "Agitha Stabbenslash- Airship Seamstress"

As some of you know, I am currently working on building 4 complete steampunk costumes for the Goblin's and Gears Ball being held at the end of October.

You may have seen my earlier post with a picture of the second version of the 1872 Basque that I completed made out of microsuede and silk dupioni lining.


This project, albeit simple in nature, was a little more complicated in the end than I originally anticipated. Alsa, I am getting ahead of my own post here....


So. I started out with two packs of fat-quarters. One set was a grouping of calico prints, and the other was more of a monochrome batik dyed look.  I had my friend cut them into quarters, and then she handed them off to me.  After looking at them, I decided that they were still too big and cut them down even further.

As you can see, once I got them down to size, I laid them out on the floor in the order I thought they looked best. I alternated the calicos with the batiks and then sewed them together into two panels of "yardage"

These are the two panels sewn together.

After completing the yardage, I then cut out the half circle pieces for the front and back panels of the apron. 

And ironed them out flat. (did I mention that the ONLY time I ever iron anything is when Im sewing?!)

As you will see in the next photo, I added a couple of front pockets too.

Next came attaching the ruffle. Unfortunately, I do not have pics of the ruffling process. This is where things started to get me in a tizzy. I had purchased a gathering foot for my sewing machine. And even though I had paid for expedited shipping, it was still sent via first class mail. So there was a delay. Then I finally get the thing, and it does NOT fit my machine, even though it stated that it would. Luckily, I have a second machine that it DID fit. So I was all ready to get sewing, when I realized that there was a problem with the feed dogs. They would NOT go into the up position. So after taking the machine apart and putting it back together, I thought I was finally ready to sew.
   This was not the case.
There was a bit of a learning curve to this new foot, combined with the fact that I was attempting to gather a double layer of patchwork fabric. I eventually got frustrated enough that I had to walk away from the project for a couple of hours.
   After a break, a spot of tea and food, I was ready to go again. This time it worked out just fine.

LOOK! proof of me ironing!!!!!

After getting the ruffle on, I gathered the top edge of the whole apron just slightly as it was a bit wide, and I personally felt that it was more aesthetically pleasing this way.
Then came the waistband and that gave me no troubles whatsoever.
I gave the whole thing a final press, and Voila'! Patchwork apron!

This is how I am passing the apron off to "Agitha". She will then add bits-and-baubs to it to make it more "hers" and add things that her character would need and want. 

Next up- is the bustle skirt that she will be wearing.

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