Finished: The "Undying Love" Apron

The sides are even, I promise it's just the way I am standing.

Phew! This apron is finally finished! I have dubbed this apron the "Undying Love" apron, simply because I would have given up and never completed it had I not been in love with the fabric. This apron by any other fabric would have been a forever UFO. Allow me to explain.

First, this apron has concave and convex curves which must be attached, something I had never done before. I sewed one of the curves on, unpicked it, sewed it on again, unpicked the whole thing again, sewed it on again and then realized that I had two curves going in the same direction. I had cut my beloved fabric out incorrectly. Frantic, I dug through the scrap pile hoping there was enough fabric left to redo the incorrect piece. Then my heart sank to my feet, there wasn't enough fabric to redo it. Okay, so there must be a plan be right? I went to my fabric bin and started digging, and I found a piece of contrasting fabric. Not exactly what I had seen as my original vision, but at this point I just had to go with it. Walking back to the sewing machine I decided that I would re-cut the straps from the contrast fabric so that it would have a more cohesive look. I laid out my pattern pieces once again, only to discover that I didn't have enough fabric to cut the straps.
Ugh!

Had this apron been made from any other fabric I would have thrown in the towel a few rounds ago. This fabric, however, had my heart from the moment that I had plucked it from the rack at the Goodwill. My best guess is that it's from the 1970s or early 1980s, so I couldn't buy more when I discovered that I had incorrectly cut it. It features a design of pepper grinders, pitchers, fondue pots, and flower arrangements, making it unusual indeed. It is cotton, but is a different texture than quilting cotton, and cost me two bucks.

The pattern is Vogue 8643, which is the same pattern I made a half apron from in the recent past. When I made the half apron, I noted how horrible the directions were, but it seems that the directions for this view were much much better as they didn't share steps with another view.

What I like about this pattern:

•  The curves at the side seam are an interesting detail not found on may aprons.
• The giant pockets
• The fact that I am finally done sewing it 

What I don't like about this pattern:

• The straps are extremely long. I had to cross mine and they're still too long.
• I don't like the way the back closes. It doesn't fit quite right and I am not sure if there is even a way to alter it after cutting out the pieces.
• It requires a lot of fabric for an apron, 3 1/8 of 45" to be exact.

The other details

• I cut the size large, which is a 16-18.
• The printed fabric was from the Goodwill. It cost about $2.
• The solid fabric was from Joann's. If I recall correctly it was $4.
• The buttons came from my button stash, originally purchased at an estate sale.
• Would I make it again? Probably not. I had too much trouble with it, and it doesn't fit as well as some other aprons I have made.
• Any changes: I cut about an inch off the bottom because it was uneven, most likely caused by my repeated unpicking. I also added a bow to the bodice.
• If you decide to make this, be warned that it is not a quick apron. It has multiple darts, gathering, curves attached together, buttonholes, and buttons. 

 Happy Sewing!