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Heirloom Apron Project

Items:

Favorite family pictures

Photo Editing program like MGI photosuite or Paint Shop Pro

Apron blank

Tshirt transfers

Designs and imagination

I had some pictures taken of my children that absolutely captured
them at that age. Mikhaila cradles her doll in one picture. It is the
same doll she clutches as she drifts to sleep each night. In another
picture Zachary has a soft, fuzzy brush at his ear. Zack always
had something soft and fuzzy touching his ears as a baby. I'd often
find that he had stuck cotton balls in his ears. Smile. And of
course, the picture of big Sis kissing her little brother melted my
heart. Naturally I made both outfits, complete with embroidery
and Zack's little hat. I wanted to make a special keepsake. I
went to a discount department store (Ross's or TJMaxx usually
have these heirloom looking aprons for a few dollars.) and found a
cut lace white cotton apron for under $5.00.

I took their portraits into MGI Photosuite and put a white fog
frame around the pictures I wanted to use. The white fog frame
will make a soft visual transition from the print on the fabric to the
white apron and ads to the heirloom look. I printed tests and
resized to get the size I needed to go in the corners and middle of
the apron. (Remember when working with JPEG images that each
change degrades the image. Use undo to go back and redo a
change rather than making changes upon changes..) Then I chose
some lettering and little bow motifs to go above the pictures, etc. I
made sure to put their names and the year on the apron. On the
top of the apron is a little Bible verse that was fitting.

I carefully laid my printed design templates and test graphics out
on the apron and when everything looked right, I printed the real
deal on transfer paper, applied the transfer and stitched the
designs. It is so pretty, but very difficult to scan or photograph.

This didn't cost very much money, nor was it time consuming. But
it is one of my treasures. What a great gift idea for family
members or a special keepsake for your children.