the layers from slipping. I stitched my apron with straight lines, but you can really use any stitch design
or pattern you wish – like stitching with zigzags across the patchwork, or any other stitch design that will
hold the layers together. Just make sure to keep your stitched lines at least 1½” apart.
Use a smooth tabletop or other flat surface for the next steps. Layer the 25” x 18” piece of solid fabric face
down and place the finished patchwork block face up on top.
Smooth out the layers, making sure they stay as even as possible at the edges. Use flat-head pins spaced
about 3″ -5″ apart to hold the layers together; they will hold the layers together as you stitch.
I used a ruler and wash-away fabric marking pencil to draw even, straight lines spaced 1½” apart vertically
across the apron body. You can do the same, or make any stitching design you’d like. Take your first line
if stitching in the middle of the apron panel, and continue stitching out to each end from there. Be sure to
remove pins as you sew to avoid stitching into a pin.
Continue stitching out from the center, always sewing in the same direction from the top of the apron
panel to the bottom. When finished stitching the layers together, set the apron panel aside.
Step 4) Add the binding.
1. Take the two 2” x WOF strips of solid-colored fabric for the binding. Cut off the selvage edge from one
end of each strip. Overlap the two cut ends at a right angle and pin.
2. Stitch across the overlapping ends, from one corner to the other as pictured, back-stitching at the beginning and end of the seam.
3. Cut the seam to ¼” past the stitching to create a ¼” seam allowance. Press the seam allowances open.
4. Fold the strip in half the long way, with the seam allowance to the inside of the strip; press.
5. The binding will finish the raw edges along the two sides and bottom of the apron panel; make sure you
do not sew the binding along the top edge of the apron. Starting at the top side edge of the apron panel,
stitch the binding to the edge of the apron, matching raw edges together. Stitch with a ¼” seam allowance, stopping ¼” away from the corner.
6. To form mitered edge, stop sewing ¼” away from the corner, take a few backstitches, and then remove
the apron from the machine. Flip the free end of the binding strip to the right, forming a 45° angle.
7. Carefully flip the free end of the binding strip back over to the left, matching up the raw edges with the
bottom apron panel edges, forming a fold along the right side; pin in place.
8. Sew along the next edge, beginning the stitching ¼” down from the corner. Continue stitching around
the bottom and the next side, following the instructions above for stitching the next mitered corner.
When stitching is complete, press the binding over, away from the apron.
9. Sew along the next edge, beginning the stitching ¼” down from the corner. Continue stitching around
the bottom and the next side, following the instructions above for stitching