"A" is for Aprons

Sew: Ana White work aprons

Ana White and I have collaborated on a special work apron for buildy gals like ourselves who need a more feminine, less bulky version of a tool belt.

Rugged enough to withstand some shop abuse (the pockets are lined in drop cloth canvas) but still pretty and fun with printed fabrics and bright trim.

This work apron can hold a lot, 2 large pockets in the back and 3 pockets in the front hold everything you need:

Complete with an Ana White hammer loop:

Check out Ana's site for more apron action shots, including the shop page and instructions on how to make your own apron.

You can also purchase these aprons over at Ana's place or you can make you own with these plans.

Here's how I made the work apron:

Cut your pieces:

drop cloth:

1 @ 24" x 10" (main apron piece)

1 @ 24" x 8" (interior back pocket)

1 @ 24" x 6" (interior front pocket)

1 @ 72" x 4" (waist strap)

back pocket cotton: 1 @ 24" x 8"

front pocket cotton: 1 @ 24" x 6"

trim:

2 @ 24" (back and front pocket trim)

1 @ 45" (main apron trim)

*if using cut bias strips, cut at 1 3/4" wide

Step 1: Lay front pocket cotton on top of front pocket drop cloth.

Attach trim using 1/4" seam allowance:

Press trim open:

Then press under raw edge and fold over to back just past seam:

Stitch in ditch from front side:

** Repeat process for back pocket pieces.

Step 2: Lay back pocket piece on top of main apron drop cloth piece.

Pin down the middle:

then straight stitch to create 2 large back pocket sections:

Step 3: lay front pocket piece on top, fold back main apron drop cloth piece to one side.

Pin 4" from center through pocket pieces only and stitch.

Repeat process for other side, now you should have 3 front pockets.

Step 5: Lay all pieces flat and pin side and bottom edges, use round object to create corner curve:

trace object and trim corner:

Step 6: Attach trim around side and bottom edges using 1/4" seam allowance:

press open, press in raw edge:

fold over to back just past seam and pin:

stitch in ditch from the front side to create finished edge:

Step 7: Find center of apron and waist strap and pin wrong sides together.

Sew with 1/2" seam allowance:

Step 8: Press waist strap open from front, press in raw edge 3/8" then fold over to back.

Pin to apron - apply this process to the entire length of straps.

** You can narrow the straps towards the ends by pressing in more of the raw edge (makes for easier tying while wearing)

Once you reach the ends press in raw end edge:

then press in top and bottom raw edges:

then fold in half:

Now top stitch entire waist strap, be sure to stitch in ditch at apron portion.

If you wish to add the hammer loop cut a 5" x 7" piece of drop cloth:

Fold in raw edges then fold in half and top stitch ribbon in place.

Pin hammer loop in place while adding waist strap piece.

Check out Ana's shop page for the entire apron collection.

I'm linking up to:

Whatcha Got Weekend @ Lolly Jane

SAS @ Funky Junk

Weekend Wrap Up @ Tatertots & Jello

Sundae Scoop @ I Heart Naptime

Sister Sunday @ Sisters of the Wild West

Sunday Showcase Party @ Under the Table & Dreaming

Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative

DIY Project Parade @ The DIY Showoff

Made by You Mondays @ Skip to My Lou

Making the World Cuter @ Making the World Cuter

Nifty Thrifty @ Coastal Charm

Tuesday Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Tutorials & Tips Tuesday @ Home Stories A to Z

Good Life @ A Beach Cottage

Delightfully Inspiring @ Delightful Order

Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage

Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple

Share Awesomeness Thur @ The 36th Avenue

Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring

Tickled Pink @ 504 Main

Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest

SAS @ Just a Girl

Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage

Remodelaholics Anonymous @ Remodelaholic

inspiration board @ Carolyns Homework
Textiles @ Freckled Laundry

"K" is for Kreg

Tools: Kreg jig

If you build anything you're going to want this:

I'm not a fancy tool gal by any means, I prefer only my drill, saw and sander but this is one fancy tool you might want to consider.

The Kreg jig makes pocket holes so you can hide your screws.  And who doesn't want to hide their screws?  Not to mention it creates a tight, square, secure joint.

Today I made a few pocket holes, repetitive yes, but the rewards come once the pieces are secured together and all the screws are tucked neatly in their holes:



It looks slightly complicated but once you have it set up just lock in your wood piece and drill:

(and I typically only use 3/4" stock so rarely do I need to adjust the depth)

Pocket hole perfection:

And here you can see all the pocket holes hiding on the underside of this bench, the top is secured with no visible screws on the surface:

And bonus! you can make drawer repairs:

But if you do plan on building and your pocket holes will be visible you'll want to buy Kreg jig pocket hole plugs:

This is the interior of the piece I'm working on and while there will be doors to hide the interior you still want to fill those pocket holes.

Cover the end of the plug with wood glue:

Slide the plug into the pocket hole for a snug fit:

A little putty, some sanding and all will be flush.

I definitely recommend getting the Kreg jig, you're going to love it.

Please note all the thoughts and comments are my own and Kreg did not sponsor me to write this post.

"B" is for Bench #5

Built: rustic bench with painted numbers:

A special request from a friend.

Built to fit her dining table, the bench measures 64" long.

I used plans from Ana White here and adjusted the cuts for the longer bench.

My friend had the idea to add the numbers 1 - 4, she has 4 kids:

And here's the fourth little one getting his first try on the bench:

Here's how I made the bench:

1. Cut pieces as per Ana's plans here adjusting the length for 64":

2. Using a Kreg jig (my newest tool, a gift from a very special friend!!  thank you),

Drill the pocket holes in all apron pieces:

I might have gone overboard with the pocket holes in the long aprons but you should place them every 6" - 8".

3. Assemble the legs:

4. Assembly complete:

5. Sand and stain one coat Minwax Ipswich Pine.

Print out numbers to fit:

6. Trace number with ballpoint pen which leaves indent in wood.

Paint inside indent, first brown:

7. Then thin coat of black:

8. Sand to distress numbers then stain Minwax Early American.

Seal with two coats clear satin poly.

Dare you to find any visible screw heads, I could not have made this piece look the way it does without the Kreg jig.

And just for kicks here are all those pocket holes:

I owe a big thank you to my friend for the jig and another thank you to my other friend for another great project.

Hope her kids enjoy their new bench.

I'm linking up to:

Whatcha Got Weekend @ Lolly Jane

SAS @ Funky Junk

Weekend Wrap Up @ Tatertots & Jello

Sundae Scoop @ I Heart Naptime

Sister Sunday @ Sisters of the Wild West

Sunday Showcase Party @ Under the Table & Dreaming

Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative

DIY Fall Festival @ The DIY Showoff

Made by You Mondays @ Skip to My Lou

Making the World Cuter @ Making the World Cuter

Nifty Thrifty @ Coastal Charm

Tuesday Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Tutorials & Tips Tuesday @ Home Stories A to Z

Good Life @ A Beach Cottage

Delightfully Inspiring @ Delightful Order

Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage

Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple

Share Awesomeness Thur @ The 36th Avenue

Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring

Tickled Pink @ 504 Main

Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest

SAS @ Just a Girl

Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage

Remodelaholics Anonymous @ Remodelaholic

inspiration board @ Carolyns Homework
All Things Furniture @ Perfectly Imperfect
Furniture Feature Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed
POWW @ Primitive & Proper