Sewing people - help?

[Captain Catnip]

I don't sew. I have a beginner's machine that I've had for a thousand years, but never use it because the last time I sewed, it wasn't even a straight line. I want an apron, though, and while my mom was going to make me one, she is really busy right now with my sister's little one most evenings while sister is at work (going through a divorce.) 

Surely an apron would be relatively easy, right? Does anyone have any pattern suggestions? I have credit at The Loopy Ewe online and they have some cute fabric that I want to use for it (cotton.)

[panicked]

Aprons are super easy! I’ve used this pattern before for a quick kids apron. Just sub your fabric for the dish towel it calls for. You can make it as pretty or as simple as you want. If you’re looking for something more fancy, Simplicity has a ton of patterns you can buy.

[redheadk]

Yeah, if you choose something without gathering, like above, it will be super easy! You can do it! Just be sure to iron your fabric before you cut it. The thing with sewing is that it’s all the parts that aren’t at the sewing machine that make the biggest difference in how your project goes.

[dragon's breath]

You can do it! An apron isn't too difficult, but, if you haven't really sewn, I'd do something like a pillow case or pj pants/shorts first. This helps you learn your machine, how to cut/sew straight, get tension right, etc, before doing a project you really want to love. A pillow case may only take a few minutes if you do a simple one, so it's not like you'll have to wait forever to get a start on your apron.

I liked having a paper pattern for my first apron, so that I was able to just cut along a printed line. If you have a Joann Fabrics nearby, they often put McCalls and Simplicity patterns on sale for $2 (do not buy at full price since they are expensive and excluded from coupons). I went for one with curves and gathering for my first apron, but one with just straight cuts and stitches would have been easier. I also adjusted the length of the top since I was a little taller than the "average" height listed on the pattern. It wasn't hard, I just added a few inches where the pattern ended, and then held it up over my self and folded it until I liked the length (then pinned in place).

I made the one on the right...

[dragon's breath]

Oh, one more thing... Wash your fabric first to pre-shrink everything. I don't pre-wash for quilts, but I do for anything clothing-like. You don't want it to shrink weird after you put all that work into it.

I usually just do a rinse-and-spin, then dry until almost dry, and pull it out and iron it right away.