noelle o designs

creativity + sewing + upcycling inspiration

aprons, design, fabric, fashion, projects, sewing

apron time, one thing led to another

What my entire life feels like right now- messy, projects piled on top of each other, disorganized and jumbled with a fat cat napping right in the middle.


I’ve been playing around with apron patterns, fun but lots of work. Following a pattern (being told what to do) is lots easier. After many failed attempts, I like how this one’s shaping up.


This one is a fail (look at the crazy wide panel by the shoulder, what would be in your armpit). But, I’m gonna fix that and make that apron work because I like the fabric and lace trim additions on the front.


I have a whole bag full of lace and other trim pieces that are less than 1 yd. long, that I’m not willing to dispose of. When ideas like this one come up, I’m glad I saved all those tiny pieces.


I threw some giant back rick rack and a few machine appliqued flowers to jazz this apron up.


The way the black bias tape looked at the neck on this apron got me thinking about adding a collar to some other aprons.  Here is my first attempt:


I decided to give a bigger collar a try here. After many failed attempts, I pencil and papered up a pattern that looked like it would work.
Now, to attach the collar… I’ve got a few ideas, here’s the first:


Just a piece of white bias tape, all the way around the neckline, making it very obvious and flat (if that makes any sense). What troubles me most is the different in whites, between the bias tape and the actual collar fabric- I don’t like it. And, should the edge of the collar be top stitched?

I think now I need to try the other method I have in mind, where all the stitching is hidden on the inside (underside) of the aprons neckline.

Wish me luck. Right now though, I think I’ll take a break- get on the road bike to clear my head and enjoy the spring sunshine.

5 Comments

  1. Anne W

    April 24, 2012 at 6:25 pm

    wow, thems a lot of aprons! I love the fabric on the first one & the applique detail on the striped one. If the 2 different whites bother you why not do a topstitch using an embroidery stitch on the sewing machine in a different colour along the join. It may not stand out as clearly. Best of luck clearing your sewing table! 😀

    1. noelleodesigns

      April 25, 2012 at 2:52 pm

      Good suggestion, I think I’ll try a little top stitching with some fancy (built into my machine) stitches I don’t use nearly enough. Thanks!

  2. Micha

    April 24, 2012 at 11:35 pm

    I love the striped white one with the black trim and rick rack! So cute…

    1. noelleodesigns

      April 25, 2012 at 2:54 pm

      Thanks, I wanted to love that one but couldn’t until I added the rick rack and ‘flower corsage’. It worked! I’m glad you like it too.

  3. cuteasabutton82

    April 25, 2012 at 7:51 am

    Wow, those are just gorgeous! I especially love the stripy one with the flowers 🙂 Beautiful!

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