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Roxanne Rodriguez Portfolio

Adventures In Upholstery! Part 2: A Heavy Duty (Yet Fashionable) Work Apron

5/10/2020

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This week I finished a personal project for myself: A Heavy Duty Work Apron made with tons of applique and constructed primarily out of Upholstery Fabric Swatches! 
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My finished Heavy Duty Work Apron!
A while back, one of my friends, who is a retired Interior Designer, dropped off a huge box of large upholstery fabric swatches that she used in the past to show to her clients. Since she no longer needed the fabric swatches, she thought that I might have use for them sewing. I have used a few swatches here and there, but when I started a recent Upholstery Project, I thought how cool would it be to make a heavy duty apron for my upholstery work out of some of this upholstery fabric!

While conceptualizing my new work apron, I wanted to create something functional, fashionable, yet heavy duty, for cleaning, removing, and re-upholstering, the old boat seat pieces that I am currently working on... I used an adorable kitchen apron that I have owned for years as inspiration for the work apron pattern...
My Concept
After making an apron pattern by tracing the dimensions of my existing kitchen apron, I then pulled out my large bin of upholstery fabric swatches. I decided to stick with earth toned colors for my textile design, and I choose several hues of green to work with. Because these swatches are not very large, I knew I would have to work with several to create my apron. I didn't want my design to look like quilted squared patchwork, I wanted to transform these swatches as much as possible, so I decided to create a new textile by piecing together large scallop shapes cut out of the various greenish colors I had chosen. I also had to use a few brown swatches to create enough scallops for the entire front layer of the apron. I used a lovely waterproof forrest green fabric as the lining, and for the straps, trim, belt and ruffle. 
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These are a few of the Upholstery Fabric Swatches that I used to create my Heavy Duty (yet fashionable) Work Apron. I literally have hundreds of these things!
Using my New Sewing Project Journal, that I absolutely love, I began to draw out a quick illustration with construction notes, as well as a hand-drawn rose applique design that I would create on my apron's pocket by using red upholstery fabric swatches. While rummaging through my swatches I found a tiny swatch of 100% Leather also in red! I used the leather swatch for the apron pocket and a utility/pencil holder! 
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My new Sewing Project Journal!
After my concept was decided upon, I began to cut out my pattern and upholstery scallop pieces. I sewed my scallops onto a muslin layer for stabilization, and then I used my Satin Stitch Presser Foot to secure each piece with Satin Stitching! 
Work In Progress...
Check out these Designer Workroom Photos: 
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Apron Pieces: Scallops, Apron Skirt, and Apron Bib
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Work In Progress: Scallop Placement
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Sewing Lines of Upholstery Scallops...
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Work In Progress: Satin Stitchin’!
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Work In Progress: Rose Appliqué on Pocket...
I am having fun using the Satin Stitch Technique that I began to practice just a few weeks ago. After sewing on all the upholstery scallops, I then added the pocket details, the lining, the bottom ruffle, the waistband, the trim, and then the neck ties! Whew! All of these details were a lot of work!
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Finished Rose Applique Pocket and Utility Holder
My NEW Work Apron is Ready!
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My finished Heavy Duty Work Apron!
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Although not originally intended for reversible use, this apron totally is reversible! This is the lining side!
Finally, after a few weeks from starting this project (I only worked on it when taking a break from my other projects), my Heavy Duty Work Apron is complete! I have so much fun creating projects for myself, especially projects that I can add even more creativity too, such as this one!
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This is me, Roxanne, wearing my new Heavy Duty Work Apron at work! I love it!
I’m looking forward to sharing with you even more upcoming projects! I have many concepts in mind, and I can’t wait to get started on them! Until then...
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I’m loving my new Heavy Duty Work Apron!
Thank you for reading!
​Have a great day!
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Related Links: 
Adventures in Upholstery! Part 1: Out With the Old
My Sewing Journal: Satin Stitch & a 3T Ladybug Dress! 
A Photo Journey... My College Career as a Fashion Design Student
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    Hello Readers! Welcome to my Blog! I am Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel, a Fashion Designer from Northern California. I love all things Fashion, particularly historical fashion! Join me, as I take you around Northern California, covering fashion events and related topics!

    Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel has a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Fashion Design & Merchandising.

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