The Betsey Apron with a Ruffle

Looking for a quick and pretty sew for a hostess gift ? to pair with a cookie in a jar mix ? To pair with a kitchen gift ? For the annual 20$ gift exchange ? Work buddy gift ? 

Today the lovely Rachel is here and this one pattern, the Betsey Apron she is showing off goes from kids to plus sizes all in ONE pattern!!!!!!! Yep, ALL the sizes in one pattern!  

Please take a moment to leave Rachel a comment  at the end of the post telling her something you love about her post or pics!

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Hello, my name is Rachel, and I am currently a stay-at-home mom. Whenever I have a spare minute, I love to sew, work on my first (and hopefully not last) novel, and write in my blog, https://mrspodge.wordpress.com.

I’m a big fan of the Betsey apron, with its classic 1950s styling and easy to follow directions. Last Christmas, I followed the directions precisely and made matching aprons for a dear friend and her daughter. They were thrilled with their gifts and love to wear them when baking together.

This Christmas, I wanted to make a couple of aprons for myself and my own daughter, Zoë, age 3 1/2. Zoë loves all things pink and purple. The flouncier, the better. I had some Sis Boom, Caravelle Arcade fabric that I was dying to use, and had enough pink and purple to please even my discriminatory daughter.

I didn’t end up having time to make one for myself, but I made a very special one for my daughter, and added a ruffle.

How to add a ruffle :

I cut a 4” X 100” strip of fabric, folded it in half, pressed it, and gathered it. I did not use the bias tape trim. Instead, I sewed the ruffle between the two sides of the reversible apron in exactly the same way one would attach a ruffle to a pillow, except that I tapered the ruffle until it disappeared at the top of the apron. I turned it inside out, and finished the rest of the apron exactly according to directions.

Showing off her Rachel Reindeer using the FREE pattern!

Zoë, in a fit of stubbornness, admired the apron, but refused to try it on for several hours. She truly believes clothing is optional, even in December. I finally persuaded her to put on some clothes and the apron, and she was absolutely delighted with it. She wanted to start baking cookies then and there!

I love the way the ruffle makes the Betsey apron even more feminine, and look forward to making one for myself soon!

Looking to make this a full body apron ? Check out THIS post

Full Apron Betsey Tutorial

Thanks so very much for this great tutorial!!!! We hope you all leave Michelle some holiday cheer in the comments section!

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Hi there, Michelle here from SewJourners. I'm here to show you how to add a bodice to the Betsey Apron. This apron is perfect for holiday entertaining, gift-giving and cookie prep!

Ever since my daughter was 18 months old our favorite pastime has been baking muffins together. She started out by simply tipping the measuring cups into the mixing bowl, and sprinkling the streusel...well everywhere. Now at a whopping two and a half years old she is a true boss in the kitchen. She gets out all the supplies and wants to do as much as possible by herself. Enter much-needed aprons!

Until now we've been using basic aprons that were graciously gifted to us, mine for my wedding and hers at her baby shower. I decided it was time to make us some mommy-and-me matching aprons to add a sentimental touch to our special memories and get her even more excited to bake with me if that is at all possible.

Initially I began to draft my own pattern, but then I saw the Sis Boom Betsey Apron and it was exactly what I was hoping for and so much more. I mean really so much more. I would have never come up with these side bows that take this apron to the next level.

I used Happy Home fabrics by SewCaroline, available here. These prints are perfect for this fully reversible apron. There are so many combos that work, and the text is spot on for an apron.

The Betsy is a very fashionable half apron. However when my daughter and I are in the kitchen, things get messy! So we needed something with a front bodice. Today I'm going to show you how easy it is to add one without needing any additional pattern pieces. So grab for yourself the Betsey Apron pattern, some fabric, and lets get started! 

What you'll need:

• The Betsey Apron pattern available here, and any supplies listed there.
• About 2 fat quarters in coordinating fabric.
• Additional bias tape. (length depends on your preferred closure method)

Instructions: 

You will need to make one change to the cutting instructions on the pattern. Instead of cutting one belt center piece you will cut two in the following dimensions:

• Child: 3 1/2" x 28"
• Misses: 4" x 36"
• Womens: 4" x 42"

Complete the following steps prior to the Apron Belts and Ties section of the pattern instructions.

Measure the distance between both sets of snip marks on your main apron fabric and add 1" to that measurement. That is the width of your bodice piece. You can then measure from your center waist, over the bust curve, up to the height you would like your bodice to go, then add another 1-2" to that measurement. 

For mine the child bodice was 13" x 9 1/2" and the misses was 18" x 13 1/2". (W x H)

Cut your two bodice pieces. 

Match up both bodice pieces with right sides facing and sew short sides with 1/2” seam allowance.

Turn right side out and press seams.

Sew gathering stitches along the top edge of the bodice.

Gather enough so that it becomes about half its original width.

Clip or pin your bias binding over the gathered edge of the top of the bodice. Now determine how long you want the bias tape, by trying it on. I chose to apply snaps to mine so I needed just enough to go around my neck. You will need more if you want to tie it in a bow. Trim bias tape 1/2" longer then your preferred length.

*Keep in mind strangulation safety when doing the child version. Velcro is another closure option.

Fold the short ends of the bias tape in 1/4" so there are no raw edges showing.

Using the same method explained in the pattern, sew 1/8" along the edge of of the bias tape, starting and ending at the short ends and securing it to the bodice. Add snaps to the ends now if you'd like.

When you get to the Apron Belt and Ties section on the pattern instructions, apply the instructions for figure C to both center belt pieces. 

Skip the instruction for figures D and E.

For figure F we will lay our two center belt pieces lined up together as pictured below. Unfold the upper and lower folds, but not the inside folds, and attach to the tie pieces as instructed. 

Follow along in the pattern and when instructed to attach the main apron to the center belt you will attach it to the lower edge of one of the belts. 

Then we will attach the bodice to the upper edge of that same belt in the same fashion.

Bring the other belt around to the front and place directly over the belt with the apron attached, wrong sides facing, making sure to cover all the seams. 

Pin, clip or wonder tape in place.

Topstitch as instructed in the pattern. (figure D)

And you're done! Well you really should add those side bows. They are so much fun!

Now for an idea of what my daughter was really thinking when we took these pictures:

And yes, she did get one:

or two...

Thanks for letting me share with you today! Remember to follow me at SewJourners.net.

Add a top! Betsey Apron Tutorial

Today we have a special guest poster!!!! Brianne made a fab apron last December using the Angie pattern and I begged her for a tutorial! Today she is sharing that tutorial with us!!!!!

So grab your Angie pattern and your Betsey pattern and be sure to leave Brianne a nice comment so she'll guest post again - I hear she has another amazing idea for the Betsey up her sleeve.... 

Last December, I made this apron for Pattern Revolution (scroll to the bottom).

I used the SisBoom/Scientific Seamstress Angie bodice with a sweetheart neck and added a 3/4 circle skirt.  Isn't my model handsome?

Do you want to make this sexy little apron? I've sewn up a new bigger and better version still using the Angie bodice but added the Betsey skirt.  The apron is 100% reversible.  NO visible seams and NO serger needed!

This is unbelievably simple; a beginner can have it competed during nap time (unless of course you're the one napping). 

You will need:

• Angie Pattern
• Betsey Pattern
•  1 to 1.5 yards of each fabric (front and back) depending on size.  Maybe a bit more if the fabric is directional.  Honestly, I don't know here. Totally guessing.  Buy a bunch of pretty fabrics
• Tracing paper
• All other sewing paraphernalia  
• Do NOT need binding as indicated in apron pattern.

Take your Angie bodice and lay a piece of tracing paper over it.  I love Swedish tracing paper.  

 

  Trace starting a little bit up the neckline, down the fold, across the bottom, up the side and slightly into the arm cycle.  Something like this.

A few things to remember.  The Angie bodice side goes to your side, obviously.  We don't want the apron to go all the way to the side, but stay on the front of your torso.  So, draw a curve up starting on the fold line.  Make the curve as big or little as your sexy self desires.  When bringing the curve down,  make sure to angle the straight edge out ending before the side seam.  Like below.

Don't worry about it being perfect.  The way we put the apron together, there is room for lots of error.  You could definitely bring it in more narrow!

All three compared to each other.

Mark the dart on your tracing paper.  Cut out your new pattern piece.

Trace and cut your new bodice pattern on both of your fabrics (Side A and Side B)

Punch little holes into your pattern piece for the three dart points.

Using a marking tool of choice, mark the dart points on both sides of both bodice

Cut out all pieces indicated in the the Betsey apron tutorial. 

You need 2 apron skirts (Side A and Side B)

Two Bow pieces (optional Side A and Side B)

Bow center (only if sewing the bow)

2 waistbands (Side A and Side B)

4 side ties (2 Side A and 2 Side B)

2 Neck ties 5"x22" (or longer) (Pick any fabric)

1/4" seam allowance used for tutorial.

Grab your neck ties and fold hot dog style right sides together. Sew down a long side, down one short side and up the other long side; leaving the last short side open.

 Clip corners and turn right side out.  Press well.  Repeat for other neck tie and set them aside for now.

Sew all 4 darts on the two bodice pieces as indicated in the Angie pattern.  Side the bodices aside.

 Grab a waistband and two of the same side ties.  Lay the waistband down.  One each side side, lay a side tie down right sides together. Sew each short end to create a really long strip of fabric.  Press your seams apart.  Repeat for other waistband and the other two side ties.

Fold a waistband in half, matching the seams connecting the ties.  Mark the middle of the waist band (mark to and bottom).  Repeat for other waistband/tie strip.

Grab one of your bodices.  Find the bottom middle and mark.

Take the coordinating waistband piece and match up middle markers.  Lay the waistband on top of the bottom of the bodice, right sides together.  Pin entire bottom of the bodice to the waistband. 

Sew waistband on and press seam towards bodice.  Repeat for other bodice and waistband/tie strip.

Take the coordinating skirt.  Fold in half to find the middle.  Mark the middle.

Remember we also marked the bottom middle of the waistband?  Match up middle markers on the skirt and waistband.  Pin the entire skirt on the waistband.  Sew it on.  Press the seam towards the skirt.

What side A will look like.

Repeat sewing the skirt on Side B.  Lookin' awesome!

Take the neck ties.  Raw edges matching, place the short side at the top of the bodice.  Slightly angle the strap up in the middle.  Pin

 Baste the strap on, following the curve of the bodice.  Repeat for other strap.

 

Now we are going to sew the two sides together.  Pin the straps down so they don't get caught up in the sewing.

Lay one side on top of the other, right sides together.

Pin around ENTIRE, and I mean ENTIRE apron, including the side ties.  Make sure to match seams.

Along the skirt bottom, mark a 6 inch gap.  That might be hard to see here.  I have to big purple lines.

Starting at the first marker, sewing towards the second marker, sew a long basting stitch. 

When you get to marker two, change stitch length to normal, back stitch and sew around entire apron, including the ties back to marker one, back stitch at the beginning of the basting stitch.

Clip tie corners.

Clip bodice curves.  Snip open valleys where the bodice/skirt meet the ties.

Clip or use pinking sheers along the curve of the skirt.  DO NOT CLIP SEAM ALLOWANCE ALONG 6" BASTING LINE. We want to keep the full seam allowance here.

Pop open the 6" basting stitches.  (there is a reason for my madness)

Birth your apron.  Push out corners.  Put your hand in and smooth out the curves.  Press the apron along the seam. Don't iron your hand.

Now fold the bottom opening along the now perforated basting line.  This makes it easier to fold the seam along a curve.  Press each side of the skirt in along the line.  Pin the hole closed and top stitch around entire apron. 

If you are making the bow, and you should be, sew it together as described in the Betsey pattern.  I did not use bias tape to bind it.  I simply sewed the two bow pieces right sides together, leaving an opening to turn then top stitched.

and...you're done!  Wear it with pride!