Yesterday we featured our Italiano Kitchen Mama Apron. Today, we have a matching version for Bambina. We’ve switched to the Cream Parole fabric, but kept the same bright red bias binding and the same Cha Cha Stripe for the kick-skirt, ties and tattered flower. The steps for the two aprons are nearly identical, just in a ‘mini-me’ size for a bambina approximately size 8/10 (the waist and neck ties allow for a lot of adjustment so it would go a little smaller or a little bigger). We’ve listed the supplies and tools again as well as the smaller cutting instructions. Once you have everything ready to go, simply click to the previous article for a step-by-step tutorial.

Yesterday we featured our Italiano Kitchen Mama Apron. Today, we have a matching version for Bambina. We’ve switched to the Cream Parole fabric, but kept the same bright red bias binding and the same Cha Cha Stripe for the kick-skirt, ties and tattered flower. The steps for the two aprons are nearly identical, just in a ‘mini-me’ size for a bambina approximately size 8/10 (the waist and neck ties allow for a lot of adjustment so it would go a little smaller or a little bigger). We’ve listed the supplies and tools again as well as the smaller cutting instructions. Once you have everything ready to go, simply click to the previous article for a step-by-step tutorial.

All the projects in our Italanio Kitchen series use a wonderful new fabric collection from our friends at Michael Miller Fabrics: Alfabeto Italiano Collezione. You’ll find it online and in stores now.

Sewing Tools You Need

• Any Sewing Machine (we recommend the Janome JNH 1860)

Fabric and Other Supplies

• ¾ yard of 44-45″ wide print fabric: we used Alphabeto Italiano Collezione by Michael Miller Fabrics in Cream Parole Italiano
• ¾ yard of 44-45″ wide contrasting print fabric: we used Alphabeto Italiano Collezione by Michael Miller Fabrics in Mustard Cha Cha Stripe
• Scrap or ¼ yard of lightweight fusible interfacing: you need just enough to cut one 2″ x 20″ strip for the waistband
• 1 package of double fold bias tape: we used bright red
• All purpose thread to match fabrics
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Fabric pen, pencil or chalk
• Cutting mat & rotary cutter
• See-through ruler
• Seam gauge
• Ironing board and iron
• For the optional tattered flower you’ll need one 2″ x 44″ strip of fabric 
  (we used a leftover scrap of the Cha Cha Stripe)

Getting Started

1. Download and print the Bambina Apron Bib Pattern.
   IMPORTANT: This pattern consists of ONE 8.5″ x 11″ sheet. You must print this PDF file at 100%. DO NOT SCALE to fit the page.
2. Cut out the pattern along the solid line.
3. From the main print fabric (Cream Parole Italiano in our sample), and using the downloaded pattern, cut:
   TWO Apron Bibs
   TWO Apron Bib linings
   NOTE: You need to cut out your two sets of two pieces with your fabric folded either right sides together or wrong sides together. That way you end up with one Right side and one Left side. I like wrong sides together so I can fussy cut my designs.
   ONE Right Skirt Panel 25½” wide x 12½” high
   ONE Left Skirt Panel 15″ wide x 12½” high
   NOTE: My “Right” and “Left” notations are as you WEAR the apron, ie. the pocket is on the right side when you have it on. When you look at the apron lying flat on your work surface, it would be reversed with the larger pocket-panel to your left and the two-piece panel to your right. If that doesn’t mess with your head, I don’t know what will!
4. Transfer all pattern markings to your fabric.
5. From the contrasting print fabric (Mustard Cha Cha Stripe in our sample) cut:
   ONE Under Skirt Panel 12″ x 12½”
   TWO 2½” x 20″ strips for the waist band
   FOUR 2½ x 24″ strips for the waist band ties
   TWO 3″ x 20″ strips for the neck ties
   NOTE: If you are using a directional print for the contrasting fabric, such as the cool stripe we used, fussy cut the waist band and waist band ties so the strips will match as one continuous band.
6. Cut ONE 2″ x 20″ strip of lightweight fusible interfacing for waistband
7. Place the Right Skirt Panel (main fabric, 25½” x 12½” piece) right side up and flat on your work surface so you can mark it for pocket placement. With your fabric pen/pencil and see-through ruler, mark 7″ in from the outside edge of the skirt (the left side as you look at it) and 2½” down from upper edge. This point will be the upper outside corner of the pocket.
8. Looking at the fabric where you made your pocket marking above, cut TWO pocket pieces 5″ x 5″; one piece should be especially carefully fussy cut to match the design of the skirt. This will be the front of the pocket.
9. Your skirt should gather down to approximately 19″.
10. Leave about a 12-13″ opening in the top of the waistband/ties to insert the apron top and about a 19-20″ opening for the skirt.

At Your Sewing Machine & Ironing Board

Click to our Italiano Kitchen: Mama Apron for step-by-step assembly instructions. The Mama Apron fit big sis by just cinching up the neck and waist ties.

The only differences are the smaller pocket and its placement.

And, there are no gathers in the overlapped apron top.

Project Design: Alicia Thommas
Sample Creation and Instructional Outline: Michele Mishler

Other machines suitable for this project include the Bernina activa 210 and the Elna 2300.