Tool Time Tuesday...77 Cent Apron Redo

Where I'll turn the ordinary into the extraordinary!

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well, it's really not extraordinary...it's just really cute and cheap.

just sounded like a good lead-in to grab you!!!

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Today's hardware store find is a 77 cent, 2 pocket canvas apron from...you guessed it, Home Depot. If you don't live near a Home Depot, I think most small hardware stores sell these with their name and logo on them. They are also on the Home Depot website, but they only sell the 99 cent ones on line. The 77 cent aprons are only in the store. (Ok, I just said Home Depot 4 times already...I think they need to pay me for this post!!)

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Here is the plain and boring apron...who would want to wear this, when you can wear.....

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This little cutie!!!
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All you need to do is finish (or hem) the edges of a rectangle piece of fabric to fit the size of your apron front. I sewed ric rac to the top edge of mine. Pin the fabric to the apron and sew, through all thicknesses, along the short side, across the bottom and up the other short side...leaving the top with the ric rac open. I also sewed down the center to create 2 pockets.
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The fabric serves 3 purposes...1) to cover up the store name, 2) to add more pockets and 3) to make it really, really cute. I added the matching ruffle to increase the cute factor.
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and this is what it looks like on...sorry the picture is so dark.

four pockets to hold your seam ripper (we all know the seam ripper always needs to be handy), eye glasses, pens, pencils, little post it notes to jot down a measurement...you name it.

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You can picture the scene...you're standing at the cutting table and there is crap everywhere (admit it, because there is) you are searching for something under fabric, patterns, books etc. Well, just keep all those things in your apron. You can move all around your sewing room and always have everything close at hand.

If you want to make it really handy, just add one of these babies. I found this package at Walmart for $1.88 for four. They are the clips that hold a name badge, but the have a retractable cord in them.

Here's the little red one, to match the apron of course!

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Here's an action shot of me hooking on my rotary cutter to the clip.

Store it in one of the pockets when you're not using it. Don't forget to close the blade though!!

When you're ready for rotary cutting action, just pull the cord out and you're ready to go. You can also attach little scissors. My retractable cord glides out very easily and at a long length. If you don't feel comfortable with your rotary cutter on a cord, it's still great just to store it in one of the pockets so you're not constantly looking under a pile of fabric for it.

I hope you enjoyed this third edition of TTT (thanks Kaaren for the abbreviation idea). I really do love coming up with crazy things to make everyone's life a little easier and a little cuter.

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Don't forget I also have a give away that ends on Saturday. See this post for details.

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Have a wonderful Tuesday!

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~Karen~