Crafts, Sewing tips and hacks

The Great British Sewing Bee Christmas Special: Be inspired and create

Our favourite Great British Sewing Bee Celebrity Christmas Special is back this year with a new celebrity line-up ready to turn unwanted materials into something fabulously festive, and we just can’t wait to see them.

Festive aprons and baby clothing

Four celebrities’ sewing skills are put to the test by Esme Young and Patrick Grant. They start by putting their twist on a pattern for a Christmas apron. After that, they make a novelty outfit for a baby using children’s hand-me-downs. Last but not least, they design pop-star-inspired dresses that are perfect for ringing in the New Year. The episode will air on Thursday, 22 December 2022, and while we haven’t seen it yet, we have a great festive idea to share with you!

Make your own festive apron!

Get into the holiday spirit with your personalised Christmas apron. From stags and santas to sparkling snowflakes, you’ll want to wear your apron throughout the year. If you’re wondering how to make your festive apron, it’s easy! You can either take an old apron and decorate it, or if you’re feeling super creative, you can create one from scratch.

To create a new apron you will need: 

  • Festive Fabric
  • Ruler
  • Fabric marker
  • Bias tape (optional)
  • 18″ length of elastic
  • Clothes pin
  • An old apron 
  • Glitter, pon pons and decorative items

Instructions

Step 1

Use your old apron to trace the shape onto your fabric and cut. 

Step 2

Add bias tape to the two curved edges. Place it on the inside, fold it toward the right side, and then press and stitch.

Step 3

Use the selvedge edge of the fabric at the upper pocket edge for a clean finish. Cut a piece of fabric 13″ x 12″. Fold the top edge of the pocket down by 12″, then fold it again by 1 inch and stitch across. Press the other edges in by ½”. Centre the pocket right side up, about 4″ down from the top edge of the apron side. Create two compartments by stitching down the centre of the pocket.

Step 4

To finish the edges of your apron, double fold the top, sides, and bottom. To add colour and texture, you can use bias tape or other trims.

Step 5

Add a basic neckband or sew an elastic one. Cut a 22″ x 3″ length of your apron fabric, then cut an 18″ length of 1″ elastic. 

Stitch the apron neckband fabric into a tube with ¼” seam allowance and leave both ends open. Turn it right side out and press flat. Insert the elastic piece through the fabric tube, keeping both ends even with the fabric tube.

Step 6

Tuck the ends of the fabric tube in about ¼”, keeping the elastic covered and the elastic ends in place at the ends of the tube. Stitch one end of the neckband to each side of the apron top, making sure the neckband stays flat and doesn’t get twisted when you attach it.

Step 7

Make the waist ties as long as you want – if you’re going to wrap them around the front, make them extra long – and add an accent fabric or ribbon.

Make 1′′-wide ties by cutting two 3′′ x 43′′ pieces of fabric. Turn both tubes right side out after sewing the wrong sides together with a seam allowance of 12″. Close the open ends by tucking them in and stitching them.

The waist ties should be attached to the apron by folding the raw edges under and attaching them as shown, creating a clean finish inside the apron. Make sure the tube is really secure by stitching it a few times.

Step 8

Add pom poms and glitter. You can also use white fabric to cut and add snowflakes. And now that you have your beautiful custom-made apron on get into the kitchen and enjoy!

Festive ideas to decorate your apron

Use hot glue to add red ribbons, and glitter glue to draw stars and christmas trees. Another super fun idea is to print a festive phrase such as “ I just want to bake stuff and watch Christmas movies” or “We whisk you a merry Christmas” iron on transfer paper and iron it on your apron. Your super-cute apron is ready!

Ready to celebrate?

We hope you enjoyed this Christmas apron as much as we did! If you’re looking for more festive ideas, read our blog on DIY ugly sweaters. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about our offering or about crafting. As for us, we can’t wait to enjoy this year’s Great Br

itish Sewing Bee Christmas Special!