Ok. My oldest daughter has been wanting to learn how to machine-sew for a year now. I admit I had been putting this off for awhile. Mainly because I remember first learning in Junior High School in Home Ec class. Was that 9th grade? I was thinking maybe I can put this off awhile. After all, my daughter already can hand-sew and makes outfits for her Webkinz and creates hand bags as well as other items. However, when the opportunity came to try an ePattern from Sense and Sensibility, I took advantage of the situation and decided to go ahead and start Home Ec courses a little earlier than I was planning.

What Sense and Sensibility gave me was the Girls’ Edwardian Apron ePattern and the eClass that goes along with it. Basically I downloaded the ePattern set which included the pattern and directions. I printed out a test pattern page to ensure my printer was set up accurately before printing out the actual pattern pages. Once the pages printed, I pieced them together according to the instructions that were provided. I admit that I had some trouble getting them lined up properly until I finally taped each row up to my window. This made it easier since the light shining through allowed me to match the lines more accurately. After this is done then it is like any other sewing project. In addition to the normal instructions I received with the pattern, the eClass that I was given helped immensely. If you are new to ePatterns then I would recommend getting the eClass and ePattern bundle. Sometimes just pictures and words are not enough to convey how to sew something. With the eClass you get a pdf file with pictures of what steps are involved and an audio which walks you through the sewing process and which gives you more tips and explanations . This is especially helpful for novices. I know when I began sewing and even now, sometimes it is difficult to see how you are suppose to do certain things with just the basic sewing instructions provided with a pattern. I was delighted to be able to go back and forth between the eClass and the instructions while sewing the apron. It helped to save a few mistakes that I would not have caught right away. As a bonus there were some videos that I could watch on a few steps of the sewing process. Believe me I also was grateful for these. Did I mention that I am a very visual person when it comes to sewing?

All in all it was a very enjoyable experience working with the ePattern and eClass. I plan on posting the finished project here soon. My husband had to leave town for work and took my digital camera so when he returns I will be posting the picture of the finished product. Here is a picture of the finished product from their website.

You can also go here to Sense and Sensibility’s page for this ePattern so that you can see their product directly from them.

The cost for the download of Girls’ Edwardian Apron ePattern is $7.95. Or you can choose to pay $12.95 for the pattern and directions plus the cost of shipping. The advantage of the ePattern is that you can print out the pattern over and over and not have to worry about losing any pieces. Also you can scale down the pattern so that you can make a matching doll apron. This is what my daughter plans on doing for her sister’s American Girl doll. If you do not have a printer available or do not have the patience to piece and tape together about 25 pages to make your pattern pieces then I would suggest buying the regular pattern. The eClass comes either separate for $19.95 or as a bundle which includes the ePattern for $24.95.

As a first sewing project I do recommend the Edwardian Apron since it was very easy to make. I have a feeling we will be making several more aprons in the days to come.

I also recommend that you check out the Sense and Sensibility website to see their entire collection of products. In addition to their products, their website also has various other items that may interest you so I also suggest you check it out for yourself.

Filed under: Home, TOS Crew by Barbara
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