Pin so back edge of band is ⅛ inch longer than edge of front of band. Top stitch along front edge of band. This finishes your band. Be sure to press the band before you stitch. It will make stitching easier. Add your pockets Pockets are for both use and decoration. Make patch pockets that are securely stitched and have no raw edges at the top. Press the side and bottom hems of the pocket first. Then fold the top hem over and stitch in place. Study the most convenient location for your pocket. Baste it in place. Check to see that it is even. Reinforce the top of the pocket with double stitching, as shown in the drawing. Stitching is ¼ inch apart. [Illustration: Pockets] Remove gathering stitches and press your apron. [Illustration: Finished apron] Peasant apron with elastic top You will need to buy 30 inches of cotton fabric 1 spool of matching thread 14 inches of ½-inch elastic Measure and cut your apron Cut your apron 20 x 31 inches. This will fit a girl of size 10 to 12. Make this longer than 20 inches if you are tall. Cut two sashes 26 x 5 inches. Cut two pockets 5 x 5 inches. Make sashes and hems the same as for peasant apron with band, page 10. [Illustration: Apron pattern] 31 in. 20in. APRON 5in. 26 in. Pocket 5in. 5in. SASHES Pocket 5in. Make the side hems ¼ inch wide and the top and bottom hems 2 inches wide. Gather the top 1. Make a heading or hem at the top of your apron. From the top edge of the apron, measure down ¾ inch and mark with pins or chalk. Start stitching at upper corner and slope to ¾-inch line. Stitch across the apron and slope up to the corner. [Illustration: Hemmed apron] 2. Stitch one sash to end of ½-inch elastic. Thread elastic through heading. Then stitch other sash to end of elastic. Pull ends of sashes into heading of apron. [Illustration: Elastic hem] 3. Finish ends of bottom hem with a slip or blind stitch. The slip stitch is used on a hem with a folded edge. Fasten the knotted thread in the fold of the hem. Slip the needle through the fold for about ½ inch. Pick up one thread in the skirt or, if the fabric permits, split a thread with the needle. This thread should lie at right angles to the hem edge. Slip the needle back into the fold of the fabric, and continue hemming. Stitches are almost as invisible on the wrong side as the right side of the skirt. [Illustration: SLIP STITCH] Gathered skirt Select fabric that is colorful and gay for your skirt. Closely woven cloth will be easy to sew and will hold a sharp crease. You will need from 3 to 3½ yards of fabric for your skirt. The more fabric you try to gather in your skirt the harder it will be to make. For the girl of average height cut your skirt as follows: How to cut your skirt