"A" Is for Apron: 25 Fresh & Flirty Designs

by Nathalie Mornu

A is for adorable and amazingly irresistible and incredibly attractive : who would have imagined that the apron, that charming and nostalgic symbol of domesticity, would become today’s must-have home accessory? But it most certainly is, as stitchers and crafters flock to these creative canvases as the perfect vehicle for showcasing fabulous fabric, simple embellishments, and novel ideas. These ingenious projectsfrom ultra-feminine and vintage chic to whimsical color-playinclude waist and bib aprons, pinafores, smocks, cobblers, and even something for the pint-sized cook. All of the projects are photographed in a playful style. And templates, sewing basics, and quick and easy projects for sprucing up store-bought aprons and whipping up aprons from recycled materials are here too!

Genres: Sewing, Crafts, Nonfiction, Reference, Fashion, Adult

144 pages, Paperback

First published May 6, 2008

Reviews

[Amy Jacobs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved almost every single apron in this book! I am a bit of an apron addict!
The instructions on a few were just confusing and horrible. Others were concise and easy to understand. You will need some knowledge in sewing due to this fact. If they were to rework some of the instructions, then the rating would be higher.

[Dree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check the errata on Lark's website before making anything!

7/5/2010--3 stars for now--I love a lot of the designs. I have fabric ready to make 3 of these. Then I'll reevaluate my rating!

7/6/2010--upped it to a 4. I made the "Spotless" apron. 1 minor flaw in pattern--the schematic says to cut them horizontally, but the text (and pics) say vertically. I fussy-cut so stuck with horizontal. Made it in an afternoon, complete with mitered corners and 4 kids charging around the house. Pic here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/15009217...

7/8/10--made the "Wash Day" apron (from quilting cottons, not oilcloth, to be a regular kitchen apron). I did not take this to Kinko's for enlargement--I just did some math and drew it on pattern-making interfacing (my Staedtler drafting curves have a use!). http://www.flickr.com/photos/15009217...

[Jennie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love love love this book. I have a bit of an obsession with aprons and there are so many fun patterns in this book.

I'm editing my review a bit - although there are fun patterns in this book, the directions are terrible. If you don't know how to sew and cannot visualize how things should be, this will be a very frustrating book.

You also have to go make copies of the patterns at Kinkos - which can be expensive if you want to make several of them.

[Paula Shreckhise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of great ideas for making aprons all with pretty good instructions. And printable patterns.

[Corinne N · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute stuff!

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the whole book!! I have great memories of getting wonderful aprons when I was a little girl and I plan to hand on the usefulness of them to my kids!!

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm changing my rating down from a 4. The aprons are cute and I'd like to make several. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone but an experienced sewist, and then expect to sew it as you see fit. As I am trying to make an apron, the smock styles are not size inclusive and are not easily modified. The instructions are not clear and are completely impossible to do as written. The yardage is not correct in some cases, if you're using fabric only 42 inches wide. I cannot locate errata online.

[Dayna · Rating 4 out of 5]

These aprons are so beautiful! The book probably deserves five stars, but I haven't tried any of the patterns so I can't say if they're all that "amazing." In fact, as stated somewhere in the beginning, this book is not for beginners. The author assumes that you already know how to sew, which I don't. But it definitely makes me want to learn! The photos of vintage aprons are especially inspiring! Info, such as a website, is listed for most of the designers. I suppose that's for people like me ... people that might be better off buying what other people are talented enough to craft! The point is that these aprons are super cute. If you can sew and if you love aprons, you will love this collection of patterns.

[Carrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was torn between giving this book two and three stars. The aprons are cute, the ideas fantastic, the instructions for how to execute are crap. I have made two aprons so far, and one of them was definitely a success in spite of, rather than because of, the instructions. If I had followed the instructions, I would have ended up with an apron that was inside out and backwards, which at the very least is a waste of the cute fabric I had picked out. I am a novice sewer, and the instructions are clear in places and then completely confusing (and occasionally incorrect)in others. Experienced sewers might get more out of this book, as they will be better able to recognize and make the necessary adjustments. Ultimately, this is a book full of good ideas and poor execution.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love aprons! I wholeheartedly agree that aprons need to be daily wear. This is a collaborative project book. I loved the anatomy of an apron and different styles, I wish that part was longer. I loved the history of the apron, I wish that part was longer. There are pages of vintage aprons that I absolutely want to replicate, but there are no instructions to that end. (I can figure it out because I have plenty of sewing and pattern making experience.) I want to make several of the projects. Most of the projects are for half aprons, which I find unfortunate. I wish there was a bigger variety of pockets in the project section. I also wish there were more smock projects and maybe a gathering apron or two. I enjoyed this book and can't wait to make more aprons!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute designs -- and a great idea about recycling an old skirt into a new apron. The history of aprons was very short but quite interesting.
Some of the reviews indicate the instructions are not all they should be. I didn't notice problems in reading them, but will have to make an apron from the directions (which I never follow anyway, so that could be a challenge) and reconsider my rating after that.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This craft book has a nice scope, from photos of cute vintage aprons and a discussion about them, to a large variety of styles to sew. The designs were made by a wide range of designers, which give this book more creative diversity than most. Viewing the samples of so many crafty sewers is inspiring in itself.

[Marjanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my cuteness! I have been making aprons for gifts and this has some amazing aprons. I haven't made any yet from this book, but it's going to be hard to choose. Most of the aprons don't seem overly complicated, but a good way to learn some sewing techniques (if you're a sewing amateur like me). These patterns definitely take the apron out of the kitchen and make it a fashion statement.

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some really cute apron designs with lots of great photos in a clear format. V. cool. Also had the templates included to make one just like the book.

I didn't get to make an apron before I had to return it to the library so I can't comment on the directions, but I think I'll be ordering this one from the bookshop.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great idea. Not the most user friendly sewing book I've seen, but I have high expectations. I'd like to see more illustrations of the individual steps and more description of each pattern. But there are some fun designs in here. My favorite is the Provence Smock on page 77 that cris-crosses in back.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though I could barely keep my eyes open last night, I still couldn't put this down. The photos are delicious. I must make each and every apron in this book - and because there is a pattern for each and evey apron - I can! Do not be surprised to see me in aprons every day!

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. The aprons are cute, but it seems they're more based on the fabric and not the pattern. What if I can't find that fabric? I'm actually going to return it, even though there are a couple of aprons I really like.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are lots of fun pictures in this book and easy to follow directions. The only thing I don't like is having to go to the copiers to get the pieces enlarged. I've already made one apron from this book and am looking forward to making a few more. Glad I bought this one.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cool designs. Just hope you can do some math or have a copy place nearby that can do enlargements. If you're looking for ideas, this shows you a lot of vintage aprons, as well as some more current looks. The hardest part is trying to find the fabric you want!

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

These aprons are all very cute. It's easy to look feminine and domestic while wearing jeans and a t-shirt--just accessorize with an apron! This book includes 25 patterns--a steal when pattern prices average between $5 and $8 each.

[Arlian · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I think some of the fabric choices of the various designers in this book were rather tacky, the projects themselves were solid. A great book to keep on yourself to churn out nice, thoughtful, one of a kind gifts for friends.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this book. There are some really adorable apron designs in here. There are at least four designs that I would love to make. The photos are beautiful and the directions seem straightforward.

[Cheri]

my oblique notes from wayback

yoke waistband 10
offwhite?
-2" white border on
half + bib? look @ 15, 25

40?

53 half
61 kind of bib & half
73 - mod width!

91 basic bib

bookmarks in p 52

[Katharine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't appreciate having to enlarge each piece a different size, some cute ideas but fairly simple, instructions not for the timid or novice, overall not bad for inspiration. Beats wiping my hands on my skirt or desperately trying to find a clean cloth in the kitchen.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so fun. I bought it for my craft and sewing reference library. Now if only I could find some time to make some cute aprons.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughters bought me this book & I am enjoying it as well as planning my next apron!

[MaryAnn McK · Rating 4 out of 5]

what a fun book with so many great apron patterns & ideas. this came in handy as i have been thinking about making those hostess type aprons for some time. can't wait to try making one!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give it a five, but the patterns need to be reproduced and enlarged a TON, which is quite frustrating and can get expensive.

[Abby Welker · Rating 4 out of 5]

AWESOME book if you're an apron lover like me!

[Cherie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some cute designs, but a lot of the stuff is not that practical for cooking.