Sleeve Protectors

So many ideas to post about after the Centenary celebration in San Francisco this past week! While perusing the historical exhibit at the Discovery Museum, I noticed two sleeve protectors from one of the first Montessori schools in France. Ah hah! A solution to the wet sleeve problem that doesn't require the help of the guide or the assistant! I found some vinyl-coated cotton at Ben Franklin from a company called Moda Fabrics (www.modafabrics.com) and made two apron/sleeve protector sets intended for dish washing and washing the laundry.
Here's Jorge trying them out while washing the dishes. They passed the test run with flying colors.
I couldn't pass up the sock monkey fabric. I also purchased a kit, pattern and socks included, to make the sock monkey. I thought it would be great to display the sock monkey on top of the laundry pile as a sign to the children that someone needs to do the laundry! I'll be posting more on this once the sock monkey and matching fabric-lined basked (for wet laundry before hanging to dry) are completed.

So how are these made? The aprons couldn't be more simple. Fold the fabric right sides together and cut to the following dimensions:
Here's what it looks like unfolded:
Add bias tape of choice. The stuff that I used is older than me - I found it in my mom's sewing supplies! You can also make your own following these instructions. Fold over the edge of the opened binding and line up with the edge of the fabric. Follow these instructions to attach the binding.
Finish the apron by attaching a matching ribbon as a neck tie and as the waist band. Sew velcro to the apron and the waist band for easy closing.

And the sleeve protectors ...

Cut 2 rectangles 8"x13." Fold right sides together and sew a 1/2" seam along the shorter sideFold down one end about 1" and sew, leaving a 2" opening for the elastic. Using a large safety pin, push through about 7" of elastic.

Pin ends together and sew ends of elastic together, leaving 1 1/2" of elastic on the other side of the seam. Trim and topstitch to enclose the opening. This makes the "wrist" end of the sleeve protector. On the other end, follow the same instructions only this time sew the seam on the elastic very close to the raw edges. This will allow for more room for the upper arm. Repeat to make a pair.