Materials

Denim (Chap. I, Par. 14).

3/4 yard Denim. 2 yards mercerized tape. White thread No. 50. Needle No. 6.

Introductory Statement

When working in the manual training shop, it is quite necessary for a boy to wear an apron of some sort to protect his clothes from the wear of tools and materials and from the spots of stain and varnish which are generally quit plentiful.

This apron should be made rather short so as not to interfere with the free movements necessary in this work. As it is subjected to hard wear it should be made of a strong material. Denim, ticking or duck are generally used.

While a satisfactory apron may be bought, it can be made with less expense at school or at home. In some schools, the girls in the sewing class are very glad to repay the boys for services rendered in repairing equipment in the sewing room by making their shop aprons for them. This shows a fine spirit of cooperation.

The apron shown in this lesson can be very easily and quickly made; the size and arrangement of pockets is a matter to be determined by the wearer.

References:

Useful Fiber Plants, Dodge.

Spinning and Weaving, Textiles, Woolman & McGowan. Macmillan.

Suggestions For Optional Modification

Shop Apron

No. 1. This is a very common style of shop apron provided with two large pockets for nails and a small pocket for ruler and lead pencil. These nail pockets should be set on with considerable fullness so they will stand open, allowing easy access to the nails.

Child's Play Apron

No. 2. This apron may be used by a child to protect the clothing while working in clay modeling, or at mud pie making.

Nail Apron

No. 3. This is a very common style of apron used by carpenters. While it does not offer much protection to the clothing, it is convenient for carrying nails.

Working Directions For Shop Apron

Preparing Material

Straighten the raw edge on one end (Chap. II, Par. 102). Measure down one selvage 27" (the length of the apron); this may be too long for a small boy. If it is, make it the length desired. Draw a thread crosswise and cut on the line. The selvages may be left to finish the hems on the sides, for the selvages on this heavy material are not likely to pucker when laundered; they will make a firm finish for the hems.

Shaping The Apron

This apron is curved under the arms, but as no sleeve is inserted, it is not necessary to cut the curves as accurately as you otherwise would. To locate the top of the curve, find the center of the apron lengthwise by folding the two long edges together evenly; crease on the fold. On one end of the apron (this is to be the top) measure out from the center fold 6" (half the width of the top of the apron); mark with a pin. To locate the bottom of the curve, measure down from the upper unfolded corner 8 1/2"; mark with a pin. With a piece of tailor's chalk, or ordinary crayon, which has been sharp-ened to a point, mark an inward curve, connecting the two points marked by the pins. Cut through both thicknesses of the material around the curve. If the cloth is too thick to allow you to cut two thicknesses at a time, cut on the curve on the upper side first; use it as a guide to cut out the curve on the other side.

Sewing On Tapes And Turning Hems

To find the length of the tape for the neck, pin one end of the tape to the top edge of the apron near the arm curve; holding the apron up to the person for whom it is intended, bring the tape around the back of the neck, adjust the apron to the proper length and pin tape on the edge near the other corner of the top of the apron. Cut off the extra tape; divide in two pieces of equal length and use these pieces for apron strings. The tape for the neck is to be stitched in with the top hem of the apron. To do this, unpin the ends of the tape and baste them on the right side of the material, even with the edge in the place they were pinned, near the top of the arm curve.

Fold and baste a 1/4" hem around the arm curve and the top of the apron, turning in the ends of the tape with the hem. Stitch these hems in place with the other hems of the apron. The tapes which are to be used for strings are to be sewed to the straight edges.

at the back near the arm curves; as they are to be stitched with the hem, lay the end of one piece of tape on the right side of the apron, allowing the end to extend over the selvage about 1/4". Turn this edge under and pin it in place. In the same manner place the other piece of tape on the opposite edge of the apron even with the first tape. Beginning at the bottom of each long edge, fold 1/4" hem without a first turning up to the arm curve, turning the ends of the tape inside and letting the selvage finish one edge of the hem. Baste with even basting; fold and baste a hem about 1/4" wide at the bottom of the apron, stitch the hems around the edges of the apron on the sewing machine, sewing the tape in the edge of the hem as you stitch.

Ruler Pocket (If Desired)

A pocket may be placed on the apron if desired. This pocket may be 5" long and 3" wide with a 1/2" hem at the top. Turn in the other raw edges, crease and baste with uneven basting (Chap. 11, Par. 104). Place it on the apron about 2 1/2" from the left arm hole and a few inches from the top of the apron; baste it in place and stitch around the edges on the sewing machine. A narrow pocket for a pencil may be formed by making a row of stitching through the pocket parallel with the sides.