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Pattern Review ~ Emmeline Apron
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Annika writes, “This pattern is as close to perfect as any I’ve ever used…” Wow! Learn more below and don’t miss Annika’s introduction. |
| Pattern | |||
| Montessori By Hand Emmeline Apron | |||
| Description | |||
| Emmeline is a sweet reversible apron with a gathered bodice. Meg says: “The Emmeline Apron is the one you’ve been waiting for – modern, stylish, and fun to sew. You’ll never want to take it off!” And she’s so right! I made Emmeline as a gift, and it will be hard to part with. Fortunately, the sewing truly was fun and I can’t wait to make one for myself.
Emmeline Apron by Annika, Through The Looking Glass |
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| Fabric Recommendations | |||
| I would love to see a playful version in Prints Charming (I would do rockets and stripes with red sunbursts for the straps) or Heather Ross (please don’t ask me to choose!) – but any cotton will work beautifully. Dig around in your stash and be adventurous! I didn’t think red and purple would look good together until I found the pink to tie them together (literally). | |||
| Materials | |||
| - 1 yard each of two cotton fabrics (I used fabrics liberated from my mom’s stash) - 1 3/4 yards coordinating fabric for the straps (I used quilter’s cotton bought on sale locally and only needed about 1 yard) - ¼ yard lightweight fusible interfacing - color-coordinating thread - tracking wheel or fabric marker (I used fabric pencil), scissors, pins, measuring tape |
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| Overall Design |  |
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| The construction of Emmeline is simple and intuitive, though the finished product looks complex. Little touches such as the pointed ties, gathers, and handmade bias straps give Emmeline a little something – sophisticated and homey at the same time. Extra credit for being reversible! |
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| Written Instructions | |
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| The instructions have plenty of detail for even the most novice sewer. Everything is described in full without any unnecessary detail.
Detail of the apron bodice. | |||
| Diagrams / Images |  |
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| These could only be improved by being in color, but it is truly not necessary (and I personally prefer to have a b+w pattern with the lower price tag it allows). |
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| Pattern Pieces | |
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| The pattern pieces are full size and on heavy enough paper that you can cut them out directly if you wish to (or if you do not have tracing paper, as I discovered when I started this project). |
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| Overall Level of Difficulty | Adventurous beginner to intermediate |
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| I would call this an intermediate pattern, but with enough detail that an adventurous beginner could easily tackle it. I learned a new skill myself! I had not ever made gathers before, and it is easy-easy-easy! Some parts of Emmeline’s construction are a bit fiddly, but nothing is outright hard.
Reverse side of Annika’s apron. |
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| Modifications + Tips | |||
| The only portion of the instructions that might be confusing is the final part, sewing on the bias straps. It is done almost exactly like quilt binding, so I had no difficulty. There is a lot of folding and unfolding, so if you’ve never done it before just follow the instructions without thinking too much about the next step or how it will come together. | |||
| Conclusion | |||
| This pattern is as close to perfect as any I’ve ever used. Easy to follow, fun to sew, and a lovely finished product. | |||
[tags]sewing pattern review, Emmeline Apron pattern review, apron pattern review, clothing pattern review, Montessori By Hand pattern, Montessori By Hand Emmeline Apron pattern, Montessori By Hand clothing pattern review, Montessori By Hand apron pattern review[/tags]
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I made this pattern last week out of the Ginger Blossom fabric and it turned out so so cute! It was a birthday gift for my daughter and she loved it. I plan on making more for Christmas and birthday gifts.
Sharon
thanks for the great review. the only thing keeping me from making one myself was not being sure how apron would fit those of us with um… ample busts. has anyone else with DD girls made one? it looks like maybe annika might have some thoughts on it? should we lenghten the top part?
Oh…this apron is just adorable! I’ve been wanting to make aprons for myself, mother and mother-in-law for sometime now and I think this pattern will work for all of us!
I have loved this apron since I saw it on Montessori By Hand months ago! Thanks for the pattern review–I may finally be brave enough to try it now!
Kate, I am somewhere between a DD and an F. The apron bodice could stand to be a wee bit longer. It is not a bad fit as written, but there isn’t any extra room. I made this one for my sister, who I think is about a C, and think it will fit perfectly. If I make one for myself while I am still nursing, I might add an inch or so.
This pattern is everywhere. I can’t wait to make one! Thanks so much for the review.
I just bought this pattern a couple of weeks ago and haven’t had a chance to try it yet. It’s good to hear that it is not to difficult of a pattern! Thanks for the review.
Great review! I have one of these coming to me soon. Good to know I won’t be crying by the end of making it!
Too cute! My sister has been looking for a cute, flattering, apron for a while. I think I’ll have to hold off on mine until after this pregnancy- I can’t imagine what it would look like, perched precariously atop a beach ball. Kind of like an awning!
Thanks for the review, Annika.
Thanks for that review. I bought the pattern weeks ago but have not even opened the envelope, I’m happy to hear that it’s not hard at all.
That’s really cute! Does it come in “one size fits most” or various sizes??
I keep seeing this pattern EVERYWHERE…eventually I’m going to break down and buy it. It’s becoming harder to resist.
Thanks so much for the review! I have been searching for the perfect apron pattern and stumbled across this one a while ago and it was love at first sight! However, I’ve had a ton of other projects going so I had to put it on hold. After reading this though I will definately be purchasing it right away…I already have the perfect fabric for it!
Mary, I think this apron would be adorable over your baby belly. The tie would keep it tight and would look so feminine. Maybe I need to come up with a special pregnant apron. He he. If you do make it for yourself I would love to see it.
Thanks Annika for the review. I to have been wanting this pattern but thought it might be tough for my 1st one. I even have the perfect fabric. I just might give it a go now!
It turned out great! I love that you chose two totally opposite colors and pulled it together with the ties. I really need to get this pattern.
Oh this apron is too cute!
I am almost done with mine, and I love the pattern. It is super clear and has all sorts of reminders to keep me from doing the dumb stuff that I space on sometimes. I only had to rip out one seam!
I had one problem, though. My skirt piece didn’t fit on my washed fabric (either one from different lines, so I don’t think I bought some weird skinny fabric). I ended up folding the pattern piece where it is placed on the fold, so my skirt is a bit smaller, but I didn’t later have any difficulty attaching the skirt to the bodice. Anyone else have this problem, or did I do something odd (certainly, not unheard of!)?
Just bought my own Emmeline pattern and am excited to give it a try!
I love how the ties in the front help decorate the apron. A beautiful pattern!
Great review!! I’ve had my pattern for a few weeks , but I was waiting to no longer be pregnant, either, Mary.
Our little guy is almost 2 weeks, now, so I’m making my apron tonight. How long did it take to sew for those of you who have it completed? I am an intermediate seamstress.
I have to say that I am a size 14 on the botton and a 18+ on the top and honestly the pattern makes me look like an aging milk maid and the bow.. lets not even go there. I love the way the pattern looks on my daughter ( slim, perky breasts) but it’s not something that I will make again for my 40+ year old- 6 baby body.
Maddie
I love the style of the apron. I am needing to make an apron for me, but I’m sure my daughter will want one too. Too Cute!
I consider myself the adventurous beginner, and so I think I shall give this one a try. The negative I see is that it takes a lot of fabric. Almost 4 yards, and so I think I’ll make limited versions of it. Or I may opt for less designer types of fabric if I make it for gifts. (There are over 20 women at our Christmas gathering…I’m not cheap, just practical!)
Good to see a picture of the apron on a full figured person versus Meg, who is a teeny bean.
Thanks!
This looks great and sounds easy!
I think I will give it a try.
Thanks for the review!
Thanks for doing the review. I can think of a couple of pieces of fabric I have that would work perfectly.
This apron is so cute I just love it! It’s been popping up all over the blogosphere!
such a great review. i really appreciate all the comments as well from people who have made this apron.
love the fabrics annika!
Great Review! I think your fabric choices worked well together.
I love this apron. It is so feminine. It has been almost a year since I have gotten out my sewing maching but lately I am on the lookout for a project. I think this may be it. Thanks for the review.
Christie, I had the very same problem w/ one of my fabrics, I thought the fabric store had only given me 3/4 yard and so I measured it myself and sure enough it was a full yard they gave me and my fabric was a regular width fabric, I just needed a tad more.
wow, really cute! thx Beth for the review. will try this at weekend.
I’m like Kate, is there instructions for a bigger chest area? I love the look but a lot of aprons just don’t cover enough or get hiked up around the top.
I love this apron! I made it last month in a local fabric shop class. I could wear it all of the time!
Great review! I have had my eye on this pattern for awhile. I appreciated the part in the review when you said that it was actually FUN to sew, and that you want to make it again. That is awesome. (I read the comments regarding bust concerns, and I have to say that one reason why I would choose this pattern is because that it looks like those gathers in the top could help *add* a little fullness, through optical illusion! Ha ha. I agree that is is flattering for a range of body types.)
This was the first sewing project that I have took on since I was like 9 and took sewing classes (I’m 22). Mine turned out super cute and fit well. I thought for me it was a bit hard, but it just took more time to do it. I will definitely make it again but one thing I would change is the neck tie, I’ll just make it to fit over the head (or button on the top piece) rather than tie.
I think for ‘the fuller bust’ it would look good to make the neck strap a little longer, so that the apron sits lower and can be tied just under the bodice, or to make the bodice part a little longer? what do you think?
Can anyone who made this apron tell me if you can just make it one-sided? And a little explanation on how you would do it that way. I really don’t want the bulk of a ‘reversible’ apron.
Thanks, Sharon
I just ordered this today! I cant wait to get it so that I can make my very own apron! Gathering from everyones comments I am sure I wont have a hard time making one!
Lisa
WOW, THAT’S THE MOST BEAUTIFUL APRON I’VE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! VERY VERY GIRLY.
I made this apron and found it quite fun and easy to follow. I’m still quite new to sewing. I struggled only in putting the binding on the sides of the bodice and the straps. I decided to just go another route and make the straps similar to the waist straps and forego binding.
I really liked the pattern, but would hope a new sized version becomes available. I’ve got a very petite frame and the bodice to to wide for me in it’s standard size.
Highly recommend it though!
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