Remember the book I mentioned I needed to read “A is for Apron” by Nathalie Mornu? I loved the material in it, not to mention the 17 patterns that were included. The patterns are on 8″ x 8″ pages and require you to increase them by 400%. First thought is a photocopier but the pattern is too big for that idea.
I remember watching my Mother cutting patterns out of newspaper so I decided it shouldn’t be too difficult for me to accomplish the same and began to gather my tools. The most important one is the calculator! Tissue paper leftover from a Christmas gift was perfect as it measured 24″ x 24″. The tissue paper became the perfect element to draw the pattern on as the widest width measurement I would need was 18″. I used transparent tape to put two sheets together giving me plenty of room for the entire project.
First step, measure the fold line length of the apron body as shown in the diagram and take it times 400%. That calculation told me the length of the apron from neckline to hem would be 29″ at the center fold line. Once I had this measurement I continued around the page as shown above making notes
of measurements at specific points, every 4″ to 9″ getting width measurements, etc. I then was able to transfer those measurements to my tissue, making dots that later would be connected by free hand. End result….a book that cost me $15.00 will reward me with 17 patterns if I elect to use them. If you have purchased a pattern recently you know the savings using this method is big! The project took me less than an hour and most of that time was spent on my calculations and measuring the dots on the tissue.
Notice how wrinkled my tissue paper is; my Mother would frown at me over that, she pressed the paper before she cut her patterns… I have fabric in mind for the new pattern so keep coming back and I will show it off 
Note: Visit www.creativechcis.com to see all the new aprons added online this week…that is how I spent my cold vacation days, doing what I love most, creating.
