September’s Sandbox Press craft article is an homage to Back-to-school arts projects and home cooking! It’s versatility makes it well used in our house already!
You can make this simple smock with a kitchen towel using basic sewing skills with a sewing machine or by hand. You can also personalize the smock for your child with just a few extra steps.
Not only is this a practical craft, but it’s also inexpensive and has multiple uses! The dishtowel can be one from your kitchen or purchased at a dollar store. The smock is intended to be used for art projects but can easily double as an apron for young cooks helping out in the kitchen.
Supplies:
- 1 Dishtowel
- 2 yards of 2” wide thick ribbon, such as grosgrain
- Sewing machine or needle and thread
For optional personalizing:
- Foam letters (like ones for playing in the bathtub)
- Glue gun and glue
- Spare piece of wood, such as a 2×4, about 8” long
- Fabric or Acrylic Paint
Steps:
1. Fold the top corners under twice and stitch down along the edge for arm holes, leaving about 6” of fabric across the top.
After stitching both sides, it should look like this:
2. Fold the bottom of the dishtowel about 6” up to shorten the smock. It is best to hold the smock up to your child and decide on the best length for him or her. Stitch it across the top or on each side to make a pocket. Stitch up the pocket 2 or 3 times to create 3 or 4 pockets for supplies!
3. For the neck strap, cut a piece of ribbon about 20” long. Fold each end under twice and stitch to the back of the top of dishtowel.
4. For the ties, cut two pieces of ribbon about 18” long. Fold one end under and stitch closed on each piece . Then stitch the other end to the dishtowel at each side, again folding under to keep it from fraying.
5. Your art smock is finished! Try it on and start painting!
Front:
Back:
Optional personalization steps:
1. Pick out your child’s name from foam letters.
2. With a hot glue gun, attach the letters to your piece of wood, remembering to write the name as a mirror image of what you’ll want it to look like.
3. Dip the board in paint or paint each letter individually.
4. Press the board onto the art smock. If it isn’t clear enough, just use a paintbrush with your paint to make it bolder.
Voila!
Have you tried any of the Sandbox Press Crafty Kids crafts? If so, let me know!
