Here's a picture of the pinafore back.  This is the first one I made so it didn't have tie shoulder straps like the later ones, but does have the same back tie...



You can sort of see the back on the body...



Can't wait to see how yours turns out!  Post pictures when you have them!

Three coordinating fabrics create a patchwork feel. It will look adorable layered over a dress, or jeans and a t-shirt...



Pick 3 coordinating fabrics.

For a child 1-3 years, cut:
- skirt - 16 1/2" X 25 1/2" (multi-colored floral)
- front of sash (2) - 2" X 25" (pink and white dots)
- back of sash (2) - 2" X 25" (solid pink)
- straps (4) - 2 1/2" X 12" (pink and white dots)  * The length of the straps have been changed as it is being tested.  I'll make another one this weekend to test this new length.
- optional pocket - 3" X 3" (solid pink)

For a child 4-6 years, cut:
- skirt - 19 1/2" X 28 1/2" (multi-colored floral)
- front of sash (2) - 2" X 25" (pink and white dots)
- back of sash (2) - 2" X 25" (solid pink)
- straps (4) - 2 1/2" X 14" (pink and white dots)  * Ditto on the straps.
- optional pocket - 5" X 5" (solid pink)



Lay large piece of multi-colored floral fabric face down on ironing board. Turn short sides under 1/4 inch and press flat; sew.



Fold in another three inches of fabric in the same direction and press flat. Make sure all layers are even so it looks clean from the front when you go to stitch the layers together.



Stitch down the fold, 7/8 inch from the bottom edge, to create the bottom edge of the sash casing.



Use a yardstick and a disappearing ink pen to draw a line across piece of fabric, 1 inch from the top edge.



Stitch along this line to create the top edge of the sash casing.



Gather the four strips you cut for the sash - two from the pink and white dots fabric and two from the solid pink fabric (shown in photo). Sew like fabrics together at the short ends to create two long strips.



Fold all raw edges (sides and ends) under 1/4 inch; press.



Pin the strips together, right sides out.



Stitch around all sides, 7/8 inch from the edge.



I prefer the above method as it creates a crisper crease along the edge. You may instead try this alternate method - Pin strips together wrong side out. Stitch around three sides leaving one of the short ends open. Using a tweezers to slowly pull the fabric out of the open end, turn the strip right side out. Press sash flat and sew around all four sides 1/4 inch from the edge.

Attach a safety pin to to one end of the sash. Use the pin to help you inch the sash through the casing.





Gather the two strips you cut for the shoulder straps. Fold each in half lengthwise; press. Sew all around 1/4 inch from the raw edges, leaving one of the short ends open. Using a tweezers to slowly pull the fabric out of the open end, turn the strip right side out. Press strap. Sew around all four sides 1/4 inch from the edge. Cut each strap into two equal sections.



Turn the pinafore face-down on a flat surface. At the top, mark the center with a disappearing ink pen. Place one strap two inches to the left of the center, and the other strap two inches to the right of the center. Pin end of strap down about one inch from the top edge. Sew across bottom of straps to secure to body.

Pin the other two straps one inch from each side of the outer edges of the body. You now have straps that you can tie at the shoulder for complete adjustability.



Turn under bottom of skirt 1/4 inch and press; sew. Fold pocket fabric under 1/4 inch on three sides; press. Fold under 1/2 inch at top of pocket; press.



Sew decorative rickrack along the top edge of the pocket (optional). Sew the pocket onto the front of the pinafore where desired.



Embellish with buttons, fabric yo-yo's, flowers, etc. if desired.

All done!!

Sewing pattern tissue is a great "green" alternative to store bought tissue, and lends a creative spirit to your gift. Browse you local thrift store for vintage sewing patterns, which can be picked up for about 25-35 cents an envelope. Don't worry about looking for nice images on the front of the envelope - just find one that has a lot of tissue inside, and that contains tissue that has not been cut. This tissue can be used just like regular tissue paper to cushion your gift - just scrunch and insert into the box. Vintage measuring tape can be used in lieu of ribbon. Add, on a sewing themed gift tag and your packaging will be as special as the gift inside! You can combine all these elements together to create a "Gift Packaging Kit" as well, which could be a gift in itself - Your recipient would have everything they need to package creatively on their own. Here's how to create a kit...

Turn the steam setting off, and iron each sheet of tissue using a medium setting. Not all of the creases will come out, but get the pieces as smooth as possible.

Using a yard stick, measure out, mark with a pencil, and cut the large pattern pieces into smaller rectangles. There is no set size for tissue paper so do what you like (I made mine 22X28 inches). Make as many rectangles as you can, or as many as you desire to include in your "Gift Packaging Kit."



Fold each piece somewhat like a map so that it resembles store bought tissue.



Stack your folded tissue paper, and layer on gift tags and vintage measuring tape to complete the kit.



Gift tags that fit the theme of vintage sewing can be easily made by scanning images from vintage pattern catalogs, the fronts of vintage pattern envelopes, or from vintage sewing books (If you don't have access to these, search around the internet - flickr is a good start - to find pictures you can blow up and use for this purpose). Cut the images out and glue onto coordinating scrapbook paper. Glue cardstock on the back for stability, and punch a hole in the top for affixing to the package.



Vintage measuring tape can be found at your local thrift store or on ebay. If you cannot locate any vintage measuring tape, purchase one new at your local craft store, or use twill tape or ribbon printed to look like measuring tape. I've boughten some at Michael's before (although I can't locate it on their website). And, Scrapbook Creations, Alpha Stamps, and European Papers all offer variations as well. The ribbon printed to look like measuring tape typically runs about 99 cents a yard.

Connect the measuring tape and tags to the tissue by using a vintage or new piece of lace (which the end user can also use to tie the gift tags to the package if needed). You can also include a handmade tag listing the contents of the "Gift Packaging Kit."



Make your own tag listing out the contents of your kit, or use mine.



Variations to the vintage sewing theme could include:
- For Christmas packaging, use thin tinsel or garland instead of measuring tape, and vintage Christmas cards or Christmas themed tags instead of sewing themed ones.
- For a budding baker or cook, use bakers twine instead of measuring tape, and images from cookbooks instead of sewing images for the tags.
- For a Child's birthday theme, use rickrack or pom pom trim instead of measuring tape, and images from a vintage party book for the tags (Betty Crocker's Parties for Children is a good one).

Have fun!