Not Sew Simple After All

My kitchen is super small, minute, minuscule. Barely large enough to swing a limb, even – let alone a cat. Our old circular dining set, though pretty, was far too large and so we recently downsized to a simple rectangular table and bench set, which I bought for an equally tiny price in the tale-end of the Winter sales last month. All good. Except my beautiful Laura Ashley oil cloth in Amelie was now far too wide, hanging off the edges like the leaves of a droopy un-watered pot plant. Eek! Must. Water. Herbs.

So, I trimmed a long section off the edge of the table cloth and laid it on the floor, I actually had a feasible amount there and began to rack my very inexperienced brain as to what I might do with this rather pretty left-over. A bag! This did actually cross my mind for a moment or two, before I metaphorically whacked myself on the head in order that I might return to planet Earth. *Totes* beyond me (sorry couldn’t resist that one). My mind then drifted to a conversation I had with my Aunt over Easter, when she lamented about the apron she had to make for herself before even beginning the school year. (Naturally) Now that, surely, even I could do?!

I laid E’s tatty old Angelina Ballerina apron over the cloth and it happened to be the perfect size for two smallish aprons (for my two smallish children) great! Then I got the sewing machine out and the sky went dark. The trees shuddered in the eerie breeze and the vintage cups all jumped into each other and hid, like a delicate collection of red and white russian dolls. In all seriousness, I really am terrible with machinery and ever since I was given this bit of kit I’ve tried to, at various points, make everything from curtains to cushion covers with varying low-level success. Anyway, all the aprons really needed was a hem and some ribbon, what could go wrong?

OIL CLOTH IS IMPOSSIBLE!! Is it just me or do others find that it sticks and then jams and tangles the thread? I probably could have hand-sewn a much neater hem in the time I spent un-jamming and resetting the machine – though at least I can now do this from memory, I suppose every cloud has a silver lining after all, even if it is a botched job. Anyway, after trying out nearly all my stitch options I settled for a VERY wobbly straight stitch – how ironic! And soul destroying.

The finished aprons don’t actually look too bad and I’m quite pleased with the yellow ribbon and the ambitious addition of a pocket at the front – which E immediately cosied her hands down into on trying-on, so cute! Any tips from sewing connoisseurs out there? What’s the secret with oil cloth? I really love the fabric but am terrified of undertaking another oil cloth project.

Jaime x