Appleton Dance

I found a hand-drawn pattern for this "Kangaroo Pocket Apron" in my files when I reorganized my  workroom. The directions were typed and signed Linda Theil, 1978. The original called for hemmed edges and ribbon ties. For this version, I made self ties and cut a full facing to finish the top of the apron. I seamed the pocket right side to wrong side and turned the pocket to the front to finish all the edges. This method left a chancy bit where the pocket and the top facing met, but not enough for me to worry about. I think if I made this again I'd just make it with a full lining and a smaller, applied pocket. The apron is generously sized, and can be adjusted to fit all sizes with an adjustable neck tie and wrap-around waist ties. You will need 2-1/4 yards of fabric and a D-ring set for the neck tie. If you want a contrasting pocket and ties, use a different fabric 3/4 yards in length for those pieces. You will also need a bodkin to turn the apron neck tie and waist ti...

I made a set of placemats using the quilt-as-you-go technique that I saw at The Quilt Patch in Tecumseh, Michigan last month. The Quilt Patch models featured a holiday print for the central medallion, but I used a 8-1/4 x 7 teacup block that I pieced using instructions from the "Crazy Little Teapot" quilt in Still Crazy by The Buggy Barn. I used all fabrics from my (recently re-organized) stash to make four 18 x 13 placemats. Materials needed to make one placemat: one central medallion 8-1/4 x 7 inches coordinating backing fabric sized 20 x 15 inches lightweight fiberfill sized 18 x 13 inches iron-on interfacing sized 18 x 13 inches Color A = two pieces 3 x 7 inches Color B = two pieces 1.5 x 7 inches, and  two pieces 15.25 x 1.5 inches Color C = two pieces 2 x 9 inches, and two pieces 18.5 x 2 inches bobbin thread to match backing fabric Recommended: walking foot for sewing machine RST means place fabric pieces with the right sides together Use 1/4-inch s...