D.I.WHY Artesprix Sublimation Pocketed Apron

Hi everyone! It’s Designer Betsy here! I was excited to personalize an Artesprix Apron with some custom Iron-on-Ink artwork, asking myself “D.I. WHY?”, but knowing one of my big challenges is keeping my tools, or even my phone handy, while I create. The Artesprix Apron has lots of room to get creative, which means lots of fabric to add some pockets. Follow along to see how I did this!

What is Artesprix Iron-On-Ink?
Artesprix Sublimation Inks are specially formulated heat transferred ink. These inks allow you to create personalized designs on polyester coated surfaces and polyester fabrics. Using plain copy paper, you create your design,, you then transfer the finished design onto your compatible blank using a heat source and pressure. The results are vibrant, colorful, and best of all permanent! Before Artesprix you needed a fancy printer to experience this level of personalization, but not anymore! 

Supplies:
Artesprix Apron
Sublimation Markers 
Canva (or other design program)
Printer and Copy paper
Heat Tape
Protective Paper Roll
Scissors
Ric-Rack Trim-Wright Brothers-2 packages of 2.5 yards (optional)
Straight Pins
Ruler
Sewing Machine, needle and thread, OR Beacon Adhesives Fabric Tac (or a combination of both) 
Heat Source

Step-by-Step Tutorial:

Step 1- Using Canva or other design program, create your design and then print out in reverse, or "mirror image".

Pro Tip: If your printer does not allow you to flip your page. Save your design as a jpg. File and then add the design to a word document. You should be allowed to flip the image to mirror there, and then print out. 

Step 2: Color in your design. Using Artesprix Iron-on-Ink Sublimation Markers, color in your designs.

Pro Tip #2: If you have the extra time, trace the design on a new piece of copy paper with a black marker. This way your existing printer ink will not interfere with your transfer. 

Step 3: Preheat your heat source to 400℉. While preheating, cut our your images, leaving some white border around to be able to adhere the image to your apron with heat tape. 

Step 4: Lay out your apron. Fold up the bottom portion of the apron 6 inches. Use a ruler to help you be precise. Measure on both ends and the middle. This will ensure your pocket is straight. Pin in place.

Note: If you are going to make smaller pockets, add a pin where those dividers will be. Keep in mind, this pinning is temporary. You will need to remove the pins when you sublimate your designs to the apron. Pinning at this stage allows you to place the images more precisely on your pockets. 

Step 5: Using Artesprix heat tape, secure your designs onto your apron. Remove the pins.

Note: The designs for the pockets will be on the back of the apron. Don’t worry, we will move them back to the front when we recreate the pockets. 

Step 6: Create your "sublimation sandwich". Lay down a piece of protective paper on the surface of your heat press. Then lay down your apron with your design secured face down, front side up. Finally add a piece of protective paper on top.

Step 7: Time to make the magic! Using your heat press, press your images at 400℉ for 60 seconds.

Note: If your press is smaller than your apron, transfer with multiple presses, ensuring everything stays in place. Do not move iron back-and-forth, use "tile technique".  

Step 8: "Peek Test" time! Gently lift a corner to see if your colors transferred properly. If your transfer is bright, pull off your designs completely. 

Step 9: Remeasure your pocket areas.Starting with the 6 inch fold. Pin in place. Add pins to mark your vertical lines if you are creating smaller pockets within the larger one. 

Step 10: Using a sewing machine (preferred method) sew a straight line along the edges of the apron where you pinned. Also create vertical lines where you indicated you wanted pockets. If you don’t have a sewing machine, a needle and thread will work, you can also use the Beacon Fabric-Tac.

Step 11: Add trim. Using Fabric-Tac, glue trim along the pocket hiding the seams on the edges. I also embellished the upper edges of the apron.

Pro Tip #3: This step can also be done with a sewing machine. This was my original intent but due to circumstances beyond my control, my machine and I were not on speaking terms during this part of the process. Sometimes it's better to fold! Pun intended.

Step 13: Time to try on your new apron and admire your work! This is perfect! Transfers will last a lifetime, and now we have pockets for tools, a phone, or even snacks! 

I have to admit, I thought to myself in the midst of this project, “is this going to work?" As creatives we’ve all been there. The project we envisioned, doesn’t exactly look how we planned half way through, but we trust the process and sometimes create something even more wonderful! That is why it is called DIWHY! A good reminder for me to “trust the process”. To keep going, keep creating to see the amazing outcome. If you ever need help or inspiration for your Artesprix projects, join the  Artesprix inspiration Facebook Group! 

Happy Crafting! 

Betsy

P.S. Special “Thanks” to my lovely apron model!