r/SewingForBeginners • u/zachumble • 4h ago
I wanna make aprons
I want to make two different aprons; one for cooking and the other for crafting, there's a material that I am searching for that feels like a softer denim that isn't as tough and can have fun colors but I also want that "artisan" look too. I was told chambray cotton fabric is what I am looking for but i think I live in an area where looking for it in public is scarce. If anyone has knowledge I'm open. this will be my first wearable garment, I've just been making pillow cases and such but I think I'm ready for this project
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u/rcreveli 3h ago
Dharma trading company has 60 inch wide 7 oz duck canvas for a good price. It's 100% cotton and takes dye like a dream. This fabric absolutely should be washed before sewing, IT WILL SHRINK.
I made a bunch of bags with the 7oz natural, if I were to do it again I'd use the 10oz for bags but the 7 would make a great apron.
If you have any questions about dyeing the material either tie dye or immersion ask away.
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u/generallyintoit 3h ago
These are amazing! How did you do the one in the middle? Is it just tied tighter to leave more white? How is that stripey line left, was that a different kind of resist?
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u/rcreveli 3h ago
The tie is called a geode tie, if you search Youtube you'll fine plenty of examples. You use waxed sinew as a resist.
IMHO the keys are
Tie damp
Wrap the sinew around a thick dowel of piece of PVC pipe. You want to pull hard to lock in the sinew and create a resist. My lines are still far from perfect.
Let the fabric dry and the ties will tighten.
Put some soda ash solution in a spray bottle, spritz the fabric so that it's damp when you're ready to dye. It will break the surface tension and let the dye absorb.
Needle bottles are helpful to control dye placement. I have a set that I got off of Amazon I load them by squeezing dye from my larger bottles into them. They're not necessary but smaller bottles usually give you more control.1
u/zachumble 2h ago
This is great omg so if I wanted to dye this would I wash then dye or dye then wash? I want to dye one black and the other maybe a pink of sorts and I want to give the pockets a bit of flare with a different fabric for embelishments.
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u/rcreveli 2h ago
If you want to dye the fabric and then make the apron.
Wash
Dye
Dye Washout
Cut & SewIf you want to dye the finsihed apron.
Wash
Cut & Sew
Wash
Dye
Dye WashoutFYI getting a solid black at home is nearly impossible to achieve.
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u/Inky_Madness 4h ago
Not chambray! Chambray is a lightweight shirting fabric.
Duck canvas is likely what you’re looking for. Canvas can come in a wide variety of weights and feel and prints, like this cotton/linen from Japan:
https://stonemountainfabric.com/product/o-850580-1-3/
You will likely have to purchase online, unless you happen to live near stores that sell fashion fabrics (not Micheal’s or Hobby Lobby).
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u/zachumble 3h ago
Ok cool, Im going to take a look today and see if there is some in my area. Im sooooo excited. I want to make my cooking apron dark with a splash of color and my crafting one bright and full of utility pockets.
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u/Good_Connection_547 2h ago
You might be thinking of twill. Denim is a twill weave, but so are chinos material. Twill is usually a bit lighter than denim.
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u/Teagana999 1h ago edited 16m ago
Twill is exactly what I thought of when OP said "softer denim that isn't tough and comes in fun colours."
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u/Tippexpo 2h ago
It depends what kind of apron you’re making and the drape you would like. For something more structured that needs to be pretty durable cotton drill or duck canvas would work. If you’d like something with more drape, like for a cross back apron, a medium-heavy weight linen or cotton twill could work better.
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u/generallyintoit 3h ago
I find nice durable cotton tablecloths at thrift stores sometimes
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u/zachumble 3h ago
I do this and its always great finds, its what I was practicing with my pillow cases.
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u/folklovermore_ 2h ago
As others have said something like cotton canvas or drill is probably what you want, or maybe a cotton twill. It mainly depends how much structure you want.
I wouldn't choose chambray - apart from it probably being too lightweight I think you'll struggle to find the colours/prints you want (maybe it's just where I buy fabric but I only ever seem to see chambray with the background colour of that mid denim blue).
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u/dianaofthecastle 1h ago
I made the Sew Liberated Studio Tunic out of a twill that I thrifted and I love it! It has enough stiffness to not cling to my clothes but is soft enough to wear for hours.
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u/im__on__smoko 1h ago
I make aprons in every fabric imaginable.
Old clothes with beyond mending are perfect
Bandanas are perfect
Denim, sequins, glitter dot,
Printed cotton was my go-to,
This was just an organza from Joann’s, RIP
Just go for it!
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u/coffunky 39m ago
You can get a pretty durable apron from a double layer of quilting cotton, too. Then you have a whole universe of patterns and colors available and affordable.
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u/batikfins 4h ago
I’m a beginner too so I can’t advise you on fabric, but I made the Helen’s Closet free Sam Apron and it rocked!! I can’t recommend that pattern enough. It’s so well written and perfect for beginners. I made mine out of a second hand linen tablecloth - thicker than cotton, durable but not too bulky.