"CHRISTMAS in JULY"...CHILD'S SANTA BELT APRON

Hey quilter's.....I recently finished this sweet project for our town's fundraiser for the children's program. I thought any child would love to hear the "jingle bells" while baking cookies for Santa. I received several emails requesting the pattern for Christmas gifts. I thought...why not.... it's that time of year when we realize Christmas is only 5 mos. away and this is such a fun sweet gift. Also, please see previous post on "tips" for rotary cutting the Hexagons. All hexagons were appliqued with 50# AURIfil thread. Many weights and hues to coordinate with your projects & I've never had a thread breakage! I hope you enjoy this fast & easy project and remember to check back in this month for my "Christmas Quilting w/Cat" Quilt-a-long....you'll love this fun & easy quilt to make :-) The pattern will have tips for the advanced sewer/quilter as well. As always...email me any q's.

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,
Cat
email... cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
Follow on Facebook & Pinterest (Cat Gege)
www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com

Here's all you do...
Purchase one apron from craft store & a small Hexagon template to scale of your apron size.
Coordinating Fabric & threads (I used scraps from my fabric stash of Hoffman Fabrics and I coordinated the fabric with 50# AURIfil thread for all the appliques.
HeatnBond Feather Lite...for a smooth, flat applique


*Rotary cut all your Hexagons with your fabric choosing. (see previous post for tips)
Fold Apron in half & softly crease with your "finger" to mark the center line of your apron.
I used my 1/4" ruler to keep the Hexagons aligned (see pic)

Fuse your Hexagon's on Apron following manufacturer's direction.
For White Hexagon squares...
Applique hexagons with cording thread
(Tips) remember to coordinate your bobbin thread with your apron for a clean neat back. Also,
for continuous line appliqueing of hexagons.... applique the outer edge of Hexagons first then for center seams position your needle to catch both side of center seam. (see pic)

*For Black Hexagons....(remember to coordinate your thread)
applique around black Hexagon's using the same method above except the center black hexagon...I straight stitched around square to secure it which allows for less bulk when adding the gold ribbon for buckle.

*Sew on "Gold Bells" securely in center of white Hexagons or use buttons.
*For "gold buckle"....I used gold ribbon and rotary cut outline of Hexagon with the same template. Then using permanent washable glue, I position strips on top of black hexagon for the 3-d effect.
Do the same if you wish or "try to find a Hexagon belt buckle"...I had no luck so I did step above.
I would fully recommend using a garment bag when washing apron due to the bells.
Hang to dry & press if needed.
Enjoy!
Remember....keep following for the Christmas Quilt-a-long :-)