We were in Sydney this weekend (husband riding the Sydney to Gong Charity Bike Ride for MS). We spent the day in Sydney CBD and my husband suggested we take the apron blog photos in a very scenic and recognisable Sydney location – why not!
Before the apron photos (yes, yes be patient) I did start out with good intentions of doing the Did You Make That? Apronalong properly.
I purchased Butterick 4087, I cut out the pattern pieces, I intended to follow each Apronalong post as diligently as I had followed Sunni’s 1880 Sewalong earlier this year… then I purchased another apron pattern! *sigh* I’m hopeless.
My main reason for deviating from my good intentions? Waist-aprons are not sufficient protection for my work clothes. The bib apron of Butterick 4087 fairly terrified me with its gigantic ruffles. Yes, yes I could have designed my own… then I fell in love… with Butterick 5474.
Butterick 5474 – aprons!
Yes, I totally agree, the lobster print is to die for! A high fashion apron!! Does it make you think of this!
I could find any lobster prints alas despite my seaside location… fortunately I fell in love with a cherry quilting cotton… and the Ruffle Kerfuffle was born…
I loved the back background of this print and played it up with a red polka dot and black.white striped contrast fabrics.
THE PATTERN
Ruffle Kerfuffle Apron
Butterick B5474, view C: The Ruffle Kerfuffle. Oh yeah, and that’s the Sydney Opera House in the background… concentrate on the apron people!
Excellent instructions – no complaints!
I did made a few changes of course…
- I found when I attached the skirt ruffle that the ruffle raw edge looked rather messy. Yes, it was at the back of the apron skirt but it annoyed me. So I cut a strip from my contrast black/white stripe fabric and stitched that over the raw edges. It’s not perfect but it is much nicer than a ruffle’s raw edge.
Butterick 5474, view C: Ruffle Kerfuffle, covering the skirt ruffle raw edges.
- I bias cut the black/white stripe contrast fabric for one of the pockets – simply because I like the geometric contrast against the black/white strip ruffle on the second pocket. Purely cosmetic! I also added a row of machine embroidery across the top of the red contrast pocket.
- I discovered post-construction that the pockets tended to gape a little, I think due to the skirt gathers. To cure this I created tiny inverted pleats in the centre of each pocket. I then topped each pleat with a contrasting button… because there is no such thing as too much trim!
B5474, view C. Ruffle Kerfuffle pockets. Added some tiny inverted pleats to counteract gape and topped them with a button.
- I also attached the pockets in such a way that they are two separate pockets, if you attach them the way the instructions state you end up with the top pocket flowing through into the lower pocket. Weird.
- I interfaced the waistband. I think this helps the apron sit better and crease less around the waist. I guess it doesn’t matter for an apron but I felt happier about the end result.
If you need to practice gathering or love a good ruffle, then this is the apron pattern for you. Personally I like the crossover bodice, it walks a fine line between apron and dress (minus the obvious fact it doesn’t have a back of course – could be great hospital wear). It’s retro and super cute.
I fully expected to love the Ruffle Kerfuffle the most, however I am a bad stitcher and I think I have a favourite…
THE PATTERN
Strawberry Fields Forever
Butterick B5474, view E: Strawberry Fields Forever. Oh and that? In the background? That’s The Coathanger – also known as Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Again – great pattern. Good instructions.
Check out that Peter Pan collar. I know… I’m still going squee too!
I couldn’t resist the strawberry fabric. I adore blue and the strawberries just seemed so wholesome! Paired with the red gingham I almost smell my raspberry buttermilk muffins cooking…
B5474, view E. The Strawberry Fields Forever piped collar and machine embroidered button placket
I piped the collar – it’s my latest trimming obsession and I love how it subtly sets off the collar. This pattern would also look fabulous with a contrast collar I think…. hmmm another apron is bubbling away in my brain already!
The buttons are purely decorative so there are no buttonholes to fret over. I thought it looked a little bare so I ran a row of machine embroidery flowers behind the button placement. It secures the apron bib beautifully and looks totally cute! Squee!!
The underskirt has a stack of gorgeous side pleats and the overskirt/apron has four inverted pleats. Very easy and very effective, I rather like the pleats in comparison to the gathers.
B5474, view E. Strawberry Fields Forever pleated underskirt
I had some cotton lace trim in the stash so I chuck this onto the apron waistline.
The one shortcoming of this pattern with no alterations is the lack of a pocket – I need somewhere to put my phone or pincushion and scissors when running about the house! I love the apron how it is, so I might sneak one on the apron’s underskirt so I don’t change the existing appearance.
Strawberry Fields Forever is also the family favourite – fortunately this is not an episode of Australia’s Got Talent so they are both staying!
Doesn’t everyone wear aprons when sightseeing? LOL.B5474, view E. A little crumpled from being stuffed in my shoulder bag all day!
VERDICT
I never expected to like making aprons!! I’m in love! Mind you, I am still amused that the Big 4 dedicate an entire section to Aprons in their catalogues. Why???
The Ruffle Kerfuffle was the easiest, other than an epic amount of gathering it was very easy to put together. It’s OTT but in a cute way.
Strawberry Fields Forever was a little trickier because of the collar but probably quicker to put together. Less pieces to cut as well.
What I love about these aprons is how they feel like an outfit in themselves. They are definitely a conversation piece… which might be a good distraction if I ever have a kitchen cooking disaster for guests…
Now… who else needs an apron??? I want to make more!!!
Thank you Karen for the inspiration to make something completely different! Check out the Apronalong Festival going on over on the Did You Make That? blog.
Vogue 1247… again
Oh and I didn’t spend the entire day looking like a complete fruitcake. I wore my Vogue 1247 outfit – and was stopped in The Fabric Store by a customer wanting to know if I had made the top and where did I get the gorgeous fabric? (errrr, Lincraft!). I did super indulge myself at The Fabric Store – it is divine…
What I really wore all day… Vogue 1247 top and skirt…
The second highlight was the Japanese tourist taking also pictures of me posing at Circular Quay in my aprons – how funny is that!
Location: Circular Quay – a gorgeous part of Sydney, you hop off the city train and BOOM you are smack bang in the middle of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House, waterside in the city – oh and there is the beautiful Museum of Contemporary Art as well – perhaps that’s another photo shoot… Gorgeous! It would have been nice to have some more sunshine but you can’t have it all 🙂
Sew Busy Lizzy 