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****Edited 2/18/2011- Hi Apron lovers! I'm giving away an apron book that features another one of my apron patterns. Interested? Come on over to my current post and leave a comment to enter!*****

Oh Valentines Day. You are almost here. Oh you. I love your red & white colors, your polka dots & glitter, your ric-rac and ball fringe. Little Valentine tree, I love you. You were on a ridiculously good after-Christmas sale at Urban Outfitters and well, I couldn't just leave you there. No, that would be cruel.

Sure, I already have a Christmas tree. But not one that's metallic pink and certainly not one that's only 3 feet tall. I've dreamed of having you for a while now, and well, I am so glad you are here. So glad that you can make your debut as our very first Valentine Tree. I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Pam & I have been chit chatting about aprons lately and she has convinced me to give a little how-to on how I made my Valentine Ruffle Apron. This was no easy task, you know (giving the directions, not sewing the apron). Sure, I  made the apron, but explaining how to do it, well, it's sort of making my brain hurt. I'm trying to trace back step-by-step and am hoping that I didn't leave out any important directions. And Pam, well she's fabulous and I feel it my duty to make sure that "every morning (and night) is a Pam Kitty Morning." This one's for you, Pam!

 Ruffle Apron

You will need the following fabric:

(1) 15 1/2" x 20 1/2" piece of  fabric for the back of the apron- Piece A
(4)  6 1/2" x 33 1'/2" pieces of fabric for the ruffles– Piece B
(2) 4 1/2" x 24 1/2" pieces of fabric for the apron strings– Piece C
(1)  4 1/2" x 20 1/2" piece of fabric for the band- Piece D

Directions:

Make a 1/4" hem by folding under 1/4" of the fabric and then folding over again, enclosing all raw edges of piece  "A", iron under 1/4" on all sides and stitch.

"B" Pieces- Hem the same way on the two short sides  and one long side, leaving one 33" side unsewn.    Repeat with all 4 pieces.

Working on the right side of the fabric, using long machine stitches, stitch along the unsewn side at 1/4" and again 1/8" in seam allowance. Pull threads to adjust gathers. Starting on the bottom, pin the top  edge of the ruffle to the  wrong side of the fabric on piece "A" at about 1" up from the bottom.  Wrap the gathering threads around the pin.  Adjust gathers to fit across and pin piece down on opposite side. Stitch over the gathers to keep in place.

Sew the next ruffle ("B") to piece "A" about 4 1/2" above the top of the previously sewn ruffle, making sure the top ruffles overlaps the bottom ruffle by about an inch.  Repeat with remaining ruffles.

Once the ruffles are sewn on, you should have about 1 1/2" of piece "A" left at the top.

Take Pieces "C" and hem all 3 edges, leaving one short edge open.

Next, take piece "D" and fold in half. Press with iron. Fold under 1/4" on remaining 3 sides. Place the top of piece "A" inside of piece "C" and pin to hold in place.  Place pieces "C" on both ends of the band. Secure in place with pins. Stitch (2) short ends (being sure to catch the apron strings underneath) and stitch along the open end.

Phew. I think that's it. So, you should have ruffles on one side and when you turn it over, you will see the right side of the fabric. I hope this makes sense. It's getting very late and I've come down with a bit of a bug (it's a total drag! Little Henry has it, too. It's quite sad) I am hoping it doesn't prohibit the Valentine cookie and truffle making (and eating) festivities this weekend.

Anyway- if you decide to make this and come into any problems or have questions, just shoot me over an e-mail. I'm happy to help out in any way I can!

Happy Weekend, Friends!