Wedding Shower Gift for California Niece

I just finished and presented the baby quilt for my Connecticut niece and need to make a bridal shower gift for my California niece--in one day!  It has to arrive by mail on Friday...

So, let's start sewing...

The apron ties and neck straps, both long and short (with D-ring) are pressed in half and half again.  Sew all around the edges and they're ready to attach.

Here's the apron body pre-washed, cut and pressed.

More Amy Butler fabrics, of course!

Pin the ties and straps in the appropriate spots and tuck them inside.

Here comes the other side of the reversible chef's apron to sandwich the straps and ties inside.  Pin it all in place.

Be sure to leave the bottom open for turning right sides out!

Sew edges all around after turning and pressing.  I go around twice--once at the edge and again about 1/4 inch in from the first stitching for durability.

I love this Sew Eez tool for turning and sharpening corners. My grandmother, Bido, gave it to me long ago when she taught me to sew.  

I found it on Etsy and EBay as a vintage sewing tool from mid-century.

I guess that makes me a vintage sewer!

But I'm still pretty fast. The apron is done. 

Now on to the note pad holder.

Here is the one I made for myself a couple years ago-- 

and the pattern I bought to make it by This & That.

You can make "Just a Note" with scraps. 

These happen to be more Amy Butler fabrics from other projects.

The inside is pieced with right and left side for two different sized pockets.

The pieces are interfaced with fusible facing for body.

The pockets are pressed in half for extra sturdiness.

Flaps go on the outside which is one piece

and the inside with the pockets.

Attach some Velcro to the inside flap and on the outside

at the end opposite the flap.

Attach some batting to the back of the pocket side 

just inside the 1/4 inch seam to make it soft.

Sew the inside pocket piece and the outside piece right sides together.  Leave the bottom open 4 inches to turn. Press and then stitch all around the edges.

I stitch in the ditch down the center seam and the flap seam to make the note holder puffier like a quilt. 

Add a note pad, a pen, some sticky notes to make a great note pad for grocery lists or to-do lists.  I use some Tacky Glue to attach a scrap of fabric on the top of the pad for a really finished and coordinated look!

Closed!

Whew!  The gifts are done and ready to mail out tomorrow.

This vintage sewer made two items in one day!