Apron Tut

Grandma's Apron Tut

	Grandma's apron Level - Intermediate Tools Used: Path shapes, Path edit, Burn, Dodge, Blur, Line/Spline Tool, Transform tool Additional notes: While using a patterned preset for your apron is ok, please be aware that using the transform tool will distort the pattern.
Wave 2 shape	1. Start with a white 400 x 400 canvass. Using the path tool, 2D Wave 2. Use whatever color you plan to make the apron. You'll size the shape at approximately 160 wide by 158 length.
	2. Using the path edit, click on the + sign and add 3 nodes at the top of the shape. Click on the edit button and pull the new nodes up - they do not need to be even. The bottom should stay as it is.
After using burn/dodge After blur tool is used	3. Right click, convert path to image, then using the burn tool set at 8 size, level 70, start darkening in the folds (where the line of the shape dips down) Do this top and bottom. Then select the dodge tool, size 10, level 65, and highlight the top of the folds (where the "material" dips up in the shape). Take the blur tool at its default setting and gently blur your dodge and burn to blend in with the material.
Narrowed top	4. Using the transform tool, perspective, narrow the top of your material. My example looks ragged because I zoomed in to do the dodge/burn/blur. If at 100%, yours will not look like this.
	5. Lets give the apron a bit of "body" (no pun intended...LOL) Right click, copy, then use the transform tool and flip the copy horizontally. Go to Brightness/Contrast and click the lowest right hand button twice. Using the pick tool, send to back and line up with the left side.
	6. Using path tool again, same color (or you could use a contrasting color...its up to you!) make your waistband using the Plaque 5 shape. Edit path to bring in the nodes to fit at the narrowed top of the skirt. When satisfied, right click, Convert path to image
	7. Use the burn tool again (same settings as above) to darken the lower edge of the band and the sides slightly. Use the dodge tool (same settings) to run a highlight between the middle and the top of the band. Blur.
	8. Now comes the fun part!!! Using a contrasting color (I'm using white), select the Line/Spline tool, 2D, border 0 hairline, style shown to left, and we'll add "stitching" to the band. Use the spline and take it slow and click often, following the line of the band. Duplicate this line and using the arrow keys (much easier!!!) to move the second line in place. We need to place them close to the top and bottom edges, but not so far to the edge that the edge of the band does not show. Now....using the same method (and this one is a bit trickier), do the same at the bottom of the skirt (front layer only) Again, go slow, click often. If you're too close to the edge, don't panic; we can always move it up using the arrow keys. Duplicate your line again, move up with the arrow keys
	9. Now, lets click on both pieces of the skirt, right click, and merge as single object. Using the transform tool, shorten the skirt a bit to 135 length. Send to back. Now, select all objects, merge as single object. If you wish to add a bib to the apron, continue on; if not, go directly to # 13.
After using burn/dodge/blur tools	10. Lets add the bib. Using the same Wave 2 we used for the skirt, 70 x 70 this time, then go into the path edit. This time we are going to make the top nearly straight across (but it doesn't have to be perfect) Just pull the nodes at top in alignment and then click out of edit mode. Use the burn and dodge as we did in the skirt, but mostly on the bottom. Don't bring the "gathers" all the way up; keep them close to the waistband end (bottom)
	11. Make your stitching at the top of the bib but this time you can use straight lines (click on Shift key while drawing your lines for perfect straight stitching!) Again make one line, duplicate and use the arrow keys to get the second one in place) Select stitching, bib and merge as single object. Resize using the transform tool to 55 length (width is ok) Send behind and place just inside the band at the bottom.
	12. Lets make the straps next. Go into our pal Path Shapes, Shape 1 (see example), 2D, same color as bib, and make shape 52 wide by 13 length. Using the transform tool, turn the strap 90 degrees to the left. Convert to object, then use the burn tool again, but only on the bottom where it should meet with the bib. Again, using the straight line, make two lines near the edges of the strap. Duplicate this piece, flip it horizontally, and place both straps on the top of the bib. Send to back.
	13. Now we're ready to make the apron strings. Go to path shapes, select wave 2, 2D shape. Transform tool - stretch shape to 100 width - 24 length. Click on edit, and the lower left hand node needs to be pulled slightly out. Click back out of edit, right click, convert to image. Using the burn tool, burn the lower edge then blur. Add stitching using the Spline tool, again duplication the line and moving into place with the arrow keys.
	14. Since we don't want the strings sticking straight out (too much starch???) use the rotate freely tool in transform to get it at an angle (roughly 45 degree). Send to back; duplicate, flip horizontally, and adjust with the rotate freely tool. Make sure the 2nd piece is also sent to back. Select all objects, merge into single object.
	Optional; if you want your apron neatly on a hanger, continue on: 15. Using the eclipse outline, 3D, border 1, make a shape 75 wide by 18 length. Click on edit, pull the top node up and the bottom node up evenly with the two side nodes. Using the transform handles, form your shape like the example. Click out of edit mode, convert to imagine, and use the erase tool to erase the bit of extended line at the top.
	16. Back in path tools, use the Round shape 4, 7 wide by 15 length, 3D border 1. Place this shape on the very top of your eclipse.
	17. Now, using the Spline tool, border 1, carefully click into a hook shape (mine was 16 wide, 30 length, but yours may vary) Right click, select all three parts, merge as single object. Place behind your apron straps.
	And there you have it!!! Just like grandma wore, whether cooking a meal, gathering eggs, shooing chickens, fanning her face, or receiving company!!
	This apron was made by adding a color contract border BEFORE merging; edit to match path edit on skirt, then adding flowers (using distort to make them look like they are in the folds of the skirt) and then using the burn/dodge/blur tools. Experiment and have some fun!!
By Candace	Here is a lovely example done by a fellow FSG Board friend, Candace. Isn't it just the sweetest??? Thanks Candy!!!
by Jane	This adorable example was done by Jane (FSG board)...she went all out on her presentation too!! Thanks Jane!!

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I hope you enjoyed this tut!