Learn to make fun wine aprons with Pam Varner!

This project combines decorative thread ruler work with applique. Originally introduced as part of our Spring Elevate Box Club, launching spring 2025, this project with video instruction can be found on our University.

Supplies:

• 1” strip of fabric. You will need at least 30”. I cut WOF. Bias is best, but straight-of-grain works well. These will be your neck and tie pieces.
• Fabric: 2 pieces cut 8½” by 10”
• Batting: 1 cut at 8½” by 10”
• Decorative Thread Ruler Foot and Decorative Thread
• Appliqué Flower and Flower Button
• Marking Pen/Pencil/Chalk
• Westalee Design Templates: 2” Everything Feathers and Spin-E-Fex Feather 3-4

Directions:

1. Heavily starch the appliqué flower. This will help prevent fraying.
2. Take the 1” Strip of fabric and fold to center along the long side and press. Open and fold each side to that fold and press. Now fold in half and press again. Stitch down the middle parallel to the fold.  *You can use a bias tape maker to do this step even though it is not cut on the bias.
3. From that cut two pieces 11½” long and one 4½” long. 
4. Cut front fabric, back fabric, and batting the shape of the pattern on page 6. Fold the top of both fabric pieces with ¼” hem (wrong sides together) and press.
   Open the folds.
5. Place one piece of fabric right side up on top of the batting. Place the 11½” ties 4” from the bottom. You want the long end on top of the fabric and the edge lined up with the cut side of the fabric. Clip or pin the ties. Place the remaining fabric piece right side down on the top of the other fabric and ties. You can clip or pin both sides if you like. Sew ¼” seam on both sides being careful to only sew the ties in one place on each side. Leave the top and bottom open.  
6. Cut a little less than ¼” away from the curved hem that was created in the previous step. Turn right side out. Use a point turner or another blunt object to smooth and shape the hem
   and sides. Press.
7. Fold in the top of the apron fabric. The previous pressed hems will help. Line both ends of the neck piece about ¼” from the side seams. Pin or clip the neck piece. Stitch the top
   opening about an ⅛” from the edge encasing the ends of the neck piece.
8. Place the appliqué flower and pin toward the top. This gives you a reference for placing the stem. Using decorative thread and the Decorative Thread Ruler Foot, stitch a stem and 2 leaves. Stem: Everything Feathers Spine side. Leaves: 2” Spin-E-Fex Leaf side. Start at the top of the stem (under the flower), stitch down to the leaf on the right, stitch that leaf, continue down the stem and stitch the leaf on the left. Follow the guide on the pattern.
   *Decorative Thread Tip. Use a narrow zig-zag stitch (1.1mm to 1.3mm) making sure your needle does not hit the plastic insert in the foot. Secure the beginning and ending with a few tack down stitches. Cut the decorative thread close to those stitches. This will hold the decorative thread in place.
9. Sew a button in the middle of the appliqué flower, attaching it to the apron.
   Optional: Use fray check on the exposed ends of the ties. 
10. Place on your bottle and close with the ties.

Jessica Brunner

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