I know this doesn't look like an apron, but it is. An apron of sorts. I'm calling it the Dour Fir Apron, for the Tie One On theme, Local Pride. Doug firs are so prolific here in Oregon and a woodland fairy skirt was desperately needed for the middle child's upcoming birthday. . .so there you go. These fairy skirts are just about the easiest things to make ever. I have tried all kinds of tricks gathering the tulle and have discovered it's stupidly hard. The easiest thing to do is just pinch it together as you sew, then it's a piece of cake.
There are 6 layers of tulle in 3 different colors topped with a mildly tacky printed tulle with pine cones and fir needles. I was on the fence about using this print but decided to go for it. It makes it so Doug fir-y and sweet and you know how the kids love anything a bit tacky. I keep trying to go all minimal with them and then I get busted. "Mom, where's the glitter? The jewels?" Oh, yeah. . .
So, to make this I just measured the tiny waist and gathered the tulle layers to that circumference measurement. Then I centered the gathered puffy skirt it on a long wide ribbon and stitched it down. I topped the waist with another piece of ribbon, sandwiching all the tulle raw edges in-between. The ties are only one layer of ribbon, if this makes sense. Then I trimmed it all while it was on the hanger, making a bit uneven and puffy, fluffing like mad. No hemming needed of course, I love tulle. It all cost about $5 by the way. I am exaggerating, but it's not much, anyway. I got 2 yards in each color and had a bit left over in the length. I want one, too. I'm not afraid to admit it.
