Bless your heart, that's not a silly question. Women of my age are well familiar with aprons, just like we are hats and gloves on Sunday. ;-) It was a part of our childhood, and an apron was the traditional 'first' sewing project not only in scouts, but in sewing courses in Jr. high school.

I have, and occasionally use aprons, and yes, I make them.....they're coming back in fashion. I have two or three old quilted aprons, one of them from the 30s or 40s. It is NOT BACKED. If you are using muslin or calico cottons, they'll fray a little from washing, but don't usually ravel to the point the seams are compromised. If you don't plan on backing them and are worried about that, I'd suggest you go to a more generous seam than 1/8".

There is no reason you can't back a piece-worked apron if you want to, and make it more finished looking to the modern mind, who is unused to seeing raw seams. There is no need to use batting. Aprons are not tyvek body armor, they are meant to keep casual spills, flour, and spatters off clothes.

It sounds like a fun, fun project. Good luck.

I like the idea of tyvek body armor--that would match my cooking style.

This is not a silly question at all. I have some aprons that have rolled edges, but would much prefer to have them backed. That way the seams are protected and it can be reversable. If you would like to use batting you could, but I would not. I would also use a more generous seam allowance than 1/8 inch.

beverly

I sewed a few children's garments years ago and used a technique known as a French Seam. You'll need to allow a little larger seam allowance. Put the two pieces together that you want to sew BACK TO BACK (right side out) and sew a smaller seam than usual. Then you fold the pieces back over that seam so they are FRONT TO FRONT (as you normally sew a seam) and sew a normal sized seam. The raw edges are "trapped" inside the two seams and your inside edge looks similar to a binding.

French seams are a great idea Salijo, if the patchwork isn't too complicated, or a bunch of little triangles. She'll have appliques as well, so that isn't going to solve the back of the apron where the appliques are.

A thin backing would be simple enough and you'd want to back it before you put a waistband one and bind it, of course. If you do decide to back it, and don't decide to tack it or quilt it together, you'll likely want to wash both pieces before you bind them together, in case there is any shrinkage of any of the fabrics you are using. That would assure it doesn't bunch and lays nice a smooth.

LOL Petal Patsy. I am a serious and tactile cook. When I am done baking, there is flour from one end of my big old kitchen to the other, and I am wearing most of the ingredients. I can relate to your reply. Likewise, I have dirtied enough dishes for a load.

Sally, you could also just sew a backing on with the two pieces right sides together and turn it inside out, just like we birth a quilt. We usually sew a seam around it after it's turned to look like a binding and that would work well for an apron. I think I'd cover the back if it's pieced but all my aprons are plain and have no backing.

I've only made one apron (one of the hardest projects I've ever done LOL) and I backed it with a soft muslin.

~Geraldine

I make mine reversable since I only wear them when company is coming and I am serving, so I make one apron service more than one occassion. I sew the right sides together and then on the top press under the seam allowance and sew, the bottom I turn under each side and then leave that open.

Oh my gosh you are the greatest group of quilters!! What great advice, (and so many different ways of making an apron!) I laughed so hard at the body amour post. When I thought about putting batting between two layers I thought about how HOT it would be. I bet the cook wouldn't wear it long "If you can't stand the heat...."! You'd be running out of the kitchen before the meal was prepared. ~LOL~

I kind of like the idea of the "birthing method". That way it might look a little more professional and it would have two light layers of cotton to catch the splashes and spills. I think I'll make one for myself first and see how this goes.

Again, thanks so very much. I am old enough to remember aprons on my Nana (great grandmother) and my grandmother, (I'm 63) but I was one to just get in there and make it happen!! I probably should have been wearing one!

Love you gals!
Susan