1 - 5" × 7" (13 × 18 cm) Embroidery Hoop
2 - Tear-Away Stabilizer
3 - Fabrics:
4 pieces of solid quilting cotton fabric, 19 × 14 cm
(7½" × 5½") (First and Second Base)
2 pieces of printed quilting cotton fabric, 19 × 14 cm (7½" × 5½") (Third Base – Apron)
1 piece of solid quilting cotton fabric, 14 × 11 cm (5½" × 4⅜") (First Base Pocket)
1 piece of polka dot quilting cotton fabric, 9 × 9 cm (3½" × 3½") (Third Base Apron Pocket)
4 - Recycled Milk Carton Cardboard:
1 piece measuring 16 × 9 cm (6¼" × 3½") (First Base)
2 pieces measuring 10 × 7 cm (4" × 2¾") (Second Base)
1 piece measuring 17 × 9.5 cm (6¾" × 3¾") (Third Base – Apron)
5 - Craft Foam (EVA):
4 pieces measuring 16 × 11 cm (6¼" × 4⅜") (First and Third Base)
2 pieces measuring 11 × 8 cm (4⅜" × 3⅛") (Second Base)
6 - White Nylon Lace
40 × 1.5 cm (15¾" × ⅝") (Third Base Apron Pocket)
7 - Eyelet Lace (Broderie Anglaise):
1 white piece measuring 7 × 3 cm (2¾" × 1¼")
1 white piece measuring 14 × 3 cm (5½" × 1¼")
8 - No. 1 Satin Ribbon
50 cm (19¾")
9 - Fine Pins
10 - Small Sharp Scissors (for trimming)
11 - Masking Tape
12 - Embroidery Thread
13 - Bobbin wound with the thread color chosen for the satin stitch finishing
14 - Fabric Glue

Hoop the tear-away stabilizer.

NOTE:
If your embroidery machine allows you to adjust the presser foot height, raise it slightly before starting this project.

During the embroidery process, you will be working with multiple layers, including lace trims and masking tape.

If your machine does not have this adjustment, it is important to stay close to the machine throughout the embroidery process.

As with any embroidery project, we recommend supervising the machine while it is stitching to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Load the First Base embroidery design into the machine.
Return the hoop to the embroidery machine.
Stitch the first color (BLACK), which will create the placement line.

Place the 16 × 11 cm (6¼" × 4⅜") Craft Foam (EVA) over the placement line.
Then place the 19 × 14 cm (7½" × 5½") solid quilting cotton fabric on top of the EVA.
Secure both layers with masking tape around the edges.

Fold over 2 cm (¾") along one edge of the 14 × 11 cm (5½" × 4⅜") solid quilting cotton fabric to create a hem, then press it with an iron.
This piece will become the pocket for the First Base.

Position the pocket flush with the bottom edge of the fabric already hooped.
Secure it with masking tape.

On the back of the hoop, position the 16 × 9 cm (6¼" × 3½") recycled milk carton cardboard for the First Base, centering it inside the placement line, as shown in the photo below.
If desired, secure the cardboard with masking tape.
Next, place the 16 × 11 cm (6¼" × 4⅜") Craft Foam (EVA) for the First Base over the cardboard.
Finally, place the 19 × 14 cm (7½" × 5½") solid quilting cotton fabric over the EVA and secure everything with masking tape.

Return the hoop to the embroidery machine.
Stitch the second color (RED), which will secure all the layers on both the front and back of the project (tack-down stitch).
Once the stitching is complete, remove all the masking tape.

Carefully trim away the excess fabric from both the front and back of the project.

On the front of the project, place a strip of masking tape over the opening of the pocket.
This will prevent the presser foot from catching the pocket and shifting the project while stitching the satin stitch finishing in the next step.

Insert the bobbin wound with the thread color chosen for the satin stitch finishing.

Return the hoop to the embroidery machine.
Stitch the third color (BLUE), which will create the final satin stitch finishing.
Only three sides will receive the satin stitch finishing.
The top edge will remain unfinished, as it will be joined to the Second Base during the next stage.

Remove the project from the hoop.
Tear away the stabilizer.
Set the First Base aside until it is joined to the Second Base in the next stage.

Hoop the tear-away stabilizer.

Load the Second Base embroidery design into the machine.
Return the hoop to the embroidery machine.
Stitch the first color (BLACK), which will create the placement line.

Place the 11 × 8 cm (4⅜" × 3⅛") Craft Foam (EVA) over each placement line.
Secure the EVA pieces with masking tape, applying the tape only along the sides.

Place the 19 × 14 cm (7½" × 5½") solid quilting cotton fabric over the EVA pieces.
Secure it with masking tape.

Take one of the 10 × 7 cm (4" × 2¾") recycled milk carton cardboard pieces.
Round off one of the 10 cm (4") edges, as shown in the photo.

On the back of the hoop, position the cardboard piece with the rounded edge over the matching curved placement line.
Position the second cardboard piece (without the rounded edge) over the remaining placement line.
Secure each cardboard piece with one strip of masking tape.
Center both pieces inside their placement lines, leaving a small gap between the cardboard and the stitching line. Do not position them too close to the outline.

Place the two 11 × 8 cm (4⅜" × 3⅛") Craft Foam (EVA) pieces over the cardboard inserts, aligning them with the placement lines.
Secure them with two strips of masking tape.

Place the 19 × 14 cm (7½" × 5½") solid quilting cotton fabric over the EVA.
Secure it with masking tape.

Return the hoop to the embroidery machine.
Stitch the second color (RED), which will secure all the layers in place (tack-down stitch).
Once the stitching is complete, remove all the masking tape.

Carefully trim away the excess fabric from both the front and back of the project.
Do not remove the project from the hoop.
In the next step, the First Base and Second Base will be assembled together.

Take the first base.
Position it with the front side facing up, as shown to the side.

Turn the First Base over to show the back side.

For this step, position the First Base with the back side facing up.
The unfinished edge (the side without the satin stitch finishing), indicated by the arrow, will be joined to the Second Base.

Place the First Base over the Second Base, which is still in the hoop.
Align the stitching lines by placing stitching line over stitching line, as shown in the photo.
Make sure both pieces are perfectly aligned before continuing.

Secure the First Base in place using masking tape.

Insert the bobbin wound with the thread color chosen for the satin stitch finishing.

Return the hoop to the embroidery machine.
Stitch the third color (BLUE), which will create the final satin stitch finishing and permanently join the First Base to the Second Base.

Once the satin stitch finishing is complete, remove the hoop from the embroidery machine.
Remove all the masking tape.
Remove the project from the hoop.
Set it aside to be assembled with the Third Base (Apron) during the final assembly stage.

Hoop the tear-away stabilizer.

Load the Third Base (Apron) embroidery design into the machine.
Stitch the first color (BLACK), which will create the placement line.

Remove the stabilizer from the hoop.
Carefully cut out the Template along the stitching line, as shown in the photo below.

Place the Template over the 17 × 9.5 cm (6¾" × 3¾") recycled milk carton cardboard.
Trace around the entire template.

Cut out the milk carton cardboard following the traced outline.
Set it aside for later use.

Hoop a new piece of tear-away stabilizer.

Return the hoop to the embroidery machine.
Stitch the second color (BURGUNDY), which will create both placement lines simultaneously.

Place the 16 × 11 cm (6¼" × 4⅜") Craft Foam (EVA) over the placement line.
Secure it with masking tape on both sides.

Place the 19 × 14 cm (7½" × 5½") printed quilting cotton fabric over the Craft Foam (EVA).
Secure it with masking tape.

Return the hoop to the embroidery machine.
Stitch the third color (BLACK), which will create the placement lines for the eyelet lace along the bottom edge, the nylon lace along the top edge, and the Pocket, as indicated by the arrows in the photo.

Fold one end of the 40 × 1.5 cm (15¾" × ⅝") nylon lace to create a neat finished edge before forming the gathers around the Pocket.

Begin positioning the lace along the left side of the Pocket placement line, aligning it with the first placement stitch.
Form small gathers as you work around the Pocket, leaving approximately 0.5 cm (¼") of the lace inside the placement line and about 1 cm (⅜") extending beyond it.
Continue pinning the gathers around the Pocket until you reach the opposite end.
Fold the remaining end of the lace to create a neat finished edge.

Once all the gathers have been pinned, replace the pins with masking tape, securing the lace all the way around.
Leave only the center section uncovered, as this is where the securing stitch will be sewn.

IMPORTANT:
Be careful not to extend the masking tape over the bottom placement line, where the eyelet lace will be positioned, as indicated by the arrow in the photo.

Using a fabric marking pen, draw a guideline 2 cm (¾") from the bottom edge of the 14 × 3 cm (5½" × 1¼") eyelet lace.

Align the guideline you just drew with the lower placement stitch, below the Pocket.
Secure the eyelet lace with masking tape on both sides, as well as along the top and bottom edges.
Leave the marked guideline uncovered by the tape.

Using the fabric marking pen, draw a guideline 0.5 cm (¼") from the edge of the 7 × 3 cm (2¾" × 1¼") eyelet lace.

Align the guideline you just drew with the upper placement stitch, above the Pocket.
Secure the eyelet lace with masking tape on both sides, as well as along the top and bottom edges.
Leave the marked guideline uncovered by the tape.

Return the hoop to the embroidery machine.
Stitch the fourth color (RED), which will secure the nylon lace and the eyelet lace in place.

Remove the hoop from the embroidery machine.
Remove only the masking tape from the center area, where the Pocket fabric will be positioned, as shown in the photo.

Using a fabric marking pen, draw a guideline 2 cm (¾") from the edge of the 9 × 9 cm (3½" × 3½") polka dot quilting cotton fabric (Pocket).
Fold along the marked line and press with an iron or finger-press the fold.

Position the Pocket with the right side facing up.
Align it with both ends of the nylon lace, as well as with the beginning and end of the Pocket placement stitches created in Step 10.

Secure the Pocket with masking tape.

Return the hoop to the embroidery machine.
Stitch the fifth color (GREEN), which will secure the Pocket in place.

Remove only the masking tape from both sides of the Pocket.
Carefully trim away the excess Pocket fabric and the excess lower eyelet lace, as indicated by the arrow.

Return the hoop to the embroidery machine.
Stitch the sixth color (BLUE), which will create the satin stitch finishing around the Pocket and the lower eyelet lace.

On the back of the hoop, position the milk carton cardboard template created in Step 05 of this stage over the center placement line, which is identical to the placement line stitched at the beginning of this stage.
Secure it with masking tape on both sides.

Place the 16 × 11 cm (6¼" × 4⅜") Craft Foam (EVA) over the milk carton cardboard on the back of the hoop.
Secure it with masking tape on both sides.

Place the 19 × 14 cm (7½" × 5½") printed quilting cotton fabric over the Craft Foam (EVA).
Secure it with masking tape around all edges.

Do not remove any of the masking tape from the front of the hoop.
Return the hoop to the embroidery machine.
Stitch the seventh color (RED), which will secure all the materials on the back of the project.

Once the securing stitch is complete, remove the hoop from the embroidery machine.
Remove all the masking tape from both the front and the back.
Carefully trim away:
the excess fabric;
the Craft Foam (EVA) visible along the curved edges of the Apron, beneath the fabric;
the excess nylon lace;
and the excess eyelet lace.

On the front of the project, secure the upper and lower eyelet lace with masking tape.
Gently fold back the nylon lace around the Pocket and secure it with masking tape to prevent the presser foot from catching the lace and shifting the project while stitching the final finishing.

Replace the bobbin with the thread color chosen for the satin stitch finishing.

Return the hoop to the embroidery machine.
Stitch the final color (BLUE), which will create the final satin stitch finishing.

Once the embroidery is complete, remove the hoop from the embroidery machine.
Remove the project from the hoop.
Remove the tear-away stabilizer and clean the finished embroidery.

Open the four buttonholes to insert the satin ribbon, as shown in the photo below.

Apply small dots of fabric glue along the entire bottom flap of the Second Base (completed in Stage 02 and indicated by the arrow).
Align the bottom edge of the Apron with the flap, matching the curved edges of both pieces.
Press gently until the glue sets.

Your project is now complete!