{handprint aprons for mother's day}

If you are my mother, or my husband's mother, please do not read any further.  ☺

Sometimes it seems like the years past faster than the days do, and capturing little handprints are like freezing a moment in time. When my oldest was small, I made an apron with his handprint on it for my dad for Father's Day.  I still LOVE seeing his tiny little hand on that apron.  ♥ This year I decided to make them for my mother and mother-in-law--perfect for Mother's Day!

This is an easy and super fun project---the hardest part will be trying to get the handprints in the right places with a minimum of wiggling! I love gifts that the kids can contribute to, and it created some really great family time.

{SUPPLIES}

• canvas apron
• fabric paint (make sure it's washable!)
• fabric, matching thread
• heat transfer (optional)

{DIRECTIONS} 

1.  I added my embellishment first--I thought it would be easier to have it in place, and use it as as guide when I added the handprints. I added a ruffle this THIS at the top and along the bottom of the apron, then stitched on a flower at the top using a coordinating fabric. You can embellish these aprons any way you like--that's the beauty of it!  I've seen darling flowers made out of handprints, with ric rac for the stem.  A friend of mine added a ruffle all the way around the edge of the apron, and it was adorable.

2.  I cut out the names of the moms (Grandma and Gramme), and the names of the kids in the same font--My Own Topher on my Silhouette. I used white flocked heat transfer, which I love for this project, because it has some depth to it. I didn't iron them on yet--I wanted to wait until after handprints were on. but if you would rather do it the other way around that's okay too!

When I made the original apron when my son was little, I used the fabric paint (get the bottle with a pointed tip--meant for writing) to write all the text.  It turned out really cute, and it was super easy to do. 

3.  I applied the white paint to the hands one at a time, and despite much wiggling, I think they turned out pretty well!  Have a plan for where you want them to go--it might not be perfect, but it will be better than guessing.  Once this paint is on, it's on! Check the bottle for directions, but mine needed to dry for 24 hours.

4.  Once the handprints were dry, I ironed on the heat transfer names.

Ta-da!  Darling Mother's Day aprons!!!