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The Maria Wrap Apron UPDATE

The Maria Wrap Apron - PDF Sewing Pattern

The Maria Wrap Apron Update

Maven Patterns The Maria Wrap Apron

I’ve done a little re-vamp on the maker instructions for The Maria Wrap Apron.

I’ve added some hyperlinks – Wahoo! – so now if you are viewing your instructions on a screen you can get a direct link to the relevant tutorial if you need it.

I know a lot of you view your instructions on iPads or laptops while sewing up a storm, so hyperlinks can be really useful. Personally, I have to print everything as the computer/office bit/corner of the kitchen is downstairs and sewing studio is upstairs. Obviously, hyperlinks won’t work if you print your instructions as I have too… I’m good but I’m not that good 😉 I’ve also added some pretty colours, because Hey! pretty colours…well, why the hell not?

So just for clarity: there are NO CHANGES TO THE ACTUAL PATTERN OR HOW TO MAKE THE APRON, I’ve just added a few little pretties so the maker instructions have the same features that are already on The Wendy Smock instructions.

If you have already bought The Maria Wrap Apron PDF sewing pattern and would like an updated Maker Instruction file, send me an ETSY convo and I am very happy to email you one – for FREE!

What other features do you like to see in your patterns and maker instructions?

Lots of detail and explanation?

Or do you do the same as my friend Maria (the inspiration for The Maria Wrap Apron) She may (maybe) give the maker instructions a fleeting, cursory glance before completely ignoring them and doing her own thing, only going back to the instructions if necessary.  I’m with Maria (it’s why we’re friends, that and we bonded over how much we hated cooking the small people’s tea after school – it cut into valuable making time – true story. Beer and curry is also part of that story, but I’ll spare you that part…). I’m just firmly of the opinion there is more than one correct way to stitch anything, and you learn from each mistake. So ignore away if that works for you, or read every word and ask all the questions you like – it’s all good ladies!

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Alexander McQueen, Savage Beauty

I spent a splendid day with two lovely ladies – Maria (of the Maria Apron Wrap Fame) and Wendy (of the new smock pattern). We very excitedly travelled into London by train, I shall gloss over the joys of signal failure, train delays, absolutely NO TRAINS at one point – stiff British upper lip and all that! – because we went to see the Alexander McQueen “Savage Beauty” Exhibition at the V&A.  It was breath-taking, probably the most stunning collection of craftsmanship I’ve ever seen – such beautiful tailoring! McQueen was quite literally an artist using (mainly) fabric as his chosen medium.

I’ll let the photos do the talking…they are are all from Vogue, …apparently OK for Vogue to take photos, but not OK for me 😉

Maven Patterns: Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty McQueen 2 McQueen 3 McQueen 4

There’s not a lot more I can say to about these beautiful creations, except if you are in London, the advance tickets are sold out but you can buy tickets on the day at the museum and if the queue stretches on forever make sure you join it, you won’t regret it.

 

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How to Gather Fabric Tutorial

how to sew gathering a step by step tutorial

How to sew Gathering: An easy way to sew gathering.

I’ve always avoided sewing garments that had lots of gathering, it seemed like such a lot of work. But with my next pattern release, The Wendy Artisan Smock, I couldn’t really escape it as the whole neckline is gathered and then bound – talk about facing your sewing demons – I’ve now made so many samples, that gathering necklines has actually become quite therapeutic!

So anyway, there is always more than one way to stitch anything, but this is my straightforward method for how to gather fabric using a sewing machine.

UPDATE / I have a new gathering tutorial which a little more in depth – HERE

// NEW // How To Sew Gathers Tutorial
Maven Patterns - gathering tutorial

How to sew Gathering (as in The Wendy Maker Instructions)

Set your stitch length to the LONGEST possible stitch length for your machine.

You need to stitch 2 rows in the seam allowance, parallel to each other, the first about 3mm from the edge of the fabric. These MUST NOT CROSS each other! Leave long ends to the threads.

Maven Patterns - gathering tutorial

In the case of The Wendy Smock, we’re gathering a neckline that is to be finished with binding, so it’s quite a long run of gathering. I found the best way to manage this was to work in sections (front, back and shoulders), stopping and the restarting at each seam. If your run of gathering is too long, the threads break – trust me, that can be just a little bit annoying.

Pull up the two long threads that are facing you (ignore the ones at the back) and gently slide the fabric along until gathers form, you can work from both ends.

Maven Patterns - gathering tutorial

Continue pulling up the threads until your fabric is gathered to the correct measurement, then wrap the excess fabric temporarily around a pin to hold. Continue along the neckline until it’s all gathered.

Maven Patterns - gathering tutorial
Maven Patterns - gathering tutorial

Double check your gathering is pulled up to the correct measurements, try your Wendy Smock Top on and see if it sits right on you. More gathers will make a smaller neckline and less will make a wider neckline, remember to make a note of the new measurements if you change them! When you are happy tie the threads securely together to fix them – you could stitch them in place by hand if you prefer, especially if you are not finishing your garment now.
Then all you need to do is make sure all your gathering is spread evenly before you finish your neckline. Oh yeah, and don’t forget to set your machine BACK to normal stitch length, it’s not like I’d forget to do something like that…

Happy sewing! Mrs M x

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The Maria Wrap Apron – PDF Sewing Pattern

Maven Patterns The Maria Wrap Apron web3

The Maria Wrap Apron – PDF Sewing Pattern by Maven Patterns

Maven Patterns The Maria Wrap Apron

At last…an action shot of The Maria Wrap Apron in her natural surroundings.

She was named after my very lovely and creative friend Maria, who is a textile artist – you can see her work here. The apron was created following a conversation with Maria and another friend Miss Kitty about garments that are missing from our lives, a Maker’s apron was needed for creating and for messy print work in the Design Studio. That conversation grew and evolved and now, as a result, I’m naming all of my patterns after the very inspiring ladies I’ve been lucky to meet along my journey,  but I’ll tell you more about them another day.

Maven Patterns The Maria Wrap Apron

This is the full back pinafore dress version (version B), with a tie fastening on the side. You’ll need to wear something under her – perhaps leggings, I’m quite keen on wearing her with my jeans. She looks great with a skinny t-shirt underneath – the styling makes her quite low on the sides so that is more of a necessity than a suggestion!

So, just a little recap …The Maria wrap Apron by Maven Patterns. Perfect for a day in the studio, as a dress, she is great for a day of (fabric) shopping, perfect as a practical apron for one’s domestic duties. And, honestly, there really isn’t a better apron to wear while staring wistfully at the kitchen wall…