As a long-time seamstress (started at age 8, so 50 years now), I have worked on everything from prom dresses to heavy canvas sails to hot air balloon envelopes. Let me make a couple of suggestions. Use double seams to attach pockets (can be done on either single needle or double needle machines). Tools can be heavy and you want your apron to last. Secure pockets at the tops by stitching a triangle at the top. Also backstitch at the start of every seam. Your sewing machine will sew leather better if you apply solid paraffin to the needle periodically. It goes without saying, always use a needle appropriate to the material you are sewing. Your fitting and draping skills are on-point. Work on your straight seams a bit and I’d hire you! 🤪🤪🤪
so what you're saying is that if i sent you my hoodie and denim jacket you could surger the hoodie's center line, apply proper buttonholes (if i marked them right), and see if i sewed the buttons onto the denim correctly then? gimme a link we can use to discuss this and the prices. as an amateur medieval clothes maker, i need a seamstress in my life lol
I know this is a couple months old now, so no one will probably read this, but at 23:35 you put on your apron for presumably the first time, and end up doing a little dance. You say something like, “why am I dancing, I don’t know.“ I sew bespoke costumes and clothing, and I actually do know why you did a little dance. It’s one of those things that I’ve witnessed on almost every person I’ve sewn for. I work on a thing, and eventually it gets to a point where it fulfills the vision of the person wearing it. They get the same smile and they do a little twirl or a dance. That one moment is one of my favorite reasons to sew for people. 😊
"this totally looks like i know what i'm doing. Which is totally not the case." Says a man with decades of experience as a maker. Good to know that feeling never goes away.
As someone that has sewn for over 3 decades my level of respect for Adam just went up 200 fold because the man not only knows how to sew but understands that there is a certain order to sew things together.
I cracked a smile everytime I saw that thing in the background. He must be so jaded from the show, I know I couldn't keep a straight face working with that thing.
Adam a comfort addition I use on all my aprons and bibs, is I have satin material sewn on the underside of the straps that go over the shoulders. It allows the straps to slide and not bunch up my shirts and it allows the bibs/apron to hang properly. Just an Idea, love the apron you created.
I'm really glad you did this, there's a lot of anti-"soft things" bias in my local maker community. As in, sewing isn't making because, I guess, it's seen as stereotypically "feminine". I'm looking forward to sending this video to some of those dudes.
Ive encountered people like that. They like to act all macho because they blacksmith or work with wood, but couldnt repair a hole in their pants if their life depended on it.
Does that bias, or let's call it what it is; prejudice. Extend to leather work, which almost always includes sewing? Or would they like to visit a Saville Row tailor (in London) and tell the, almost exclusively male, tailors that what they do is lessened because it's 'sewing'. Or Saddlers, Sail makers, upholsterers, fishermen repairing nets? Balderdash. Unless they're wearing an animal skin and carved clogs on their feet they need a long cold look at themselves. Oh, and join a new community, try the Amish they're much more open.
@@thedude5880 It always makes me laugh, because doing those funny little needlepoint things with my grandma when I was younger gave me a better appreciation for how I can reach around something and know where my hand is, or assemble something small with minimal tools.
I was that way as a kid..young man...(sewing is for women...men build things women make are clothes.....) ...and now I sit I can't fix a hole in my clothes to save me life and would like to learn to sew
@@Caddoan I just through it in the chest pocket and stick the nuts and bolts to the outside but if you were designing your own apron I would sew it onto the front w a piece of thin leather and that way it would not rub a hole in my pocket.
That, my friend, is a great idea! I bought a 36-pack of neodymium ring magnets for like $15, just to have them. They have a small hole in the middle where you could easily sink a rivet and attach it.
I love how you share what you love about an apron that works like a tool. Workman comfort propells genius accomplishment. No nonsense total productivity is what this is all about. Ten thousand blessings on you. Much love. A frustrated creative.
Adam "I got this new apron that I use all the time and I LOVE IT." Adam, two days later "OK so it turns out that I like this thing, but if I'd LOVE it if I built a nearly identical version with just a few changes." Adam, six days later "I now have eight versions of an apron, which I love for various functions." Adam, two weeks later "Aprons? Turns out I just really like shelves." Adam, a month on "I got an apron shelf." Adam, two days after that "That apron shelf? I'd LOVE it if I had a nearly identical version with just a few changes."
I would not be a bit surprised if he ends up with a mill apron, a lathe apron, a table saw apron, a GP apron, a welding apron, a... . *I* would, if I had all those tools.
But I'm not counting on him noticing those things when he clearly didn't realize that how he changed where the leg pockets went would directly be under the hammer loop until after he sewed them on and was looking at it. I noticed it right away. The hammer loop is like the one of the biggest things for him that he made mention of multiple times and made a tool video about it. Like if he isn't going to realize that one of his favorite elements of the apron is going to be impacted by the on the fly change (granted nearly all of this was on the fly) I doubt he would notice that he didn't go back in and do the pocket rivets or have the foresight or desire to add a magnetic area.
@@hanslain9729 I have a little velcroed magnetic wrist strap with tight little pockets in it. Magnets can hold a dozen deck screws or a miriad of nails right where you can get them. Pockets hold plastic or wooden dowels or Rawl plugs. Brilliant.
Gawd, this brought back some school memories. My old carpentery teacher would always take off his glasses and put them in an apron pocket, before putting on the apron. And you could always guarantee, once a week, he'd then spend five minutes looking for his glasses.
Hey Adam, I work in a machine shop, and I tailored this style of apron to me for my job. I used duck canvas, and it came out great. Thanks for the inspiration
Great design! Love watching it come together. That being said, there are a few small tweaks I'd have made given my ~25 years of doing leather craft: - When doing the rivets on the fabric, I'd have used the punch for the leather parts, then used them as a template for an awl to make the holes in the fabric. By parting the fibers instead of cutting them, it makes the rivet much less likely to tear out. - For the loops holding the small D-rings, I'd have sandwiched the fabric between the ends of the loop; again, less likely to tear out, and I personally would prefer the ring to be centered against the hemmed edge of the cloth. - I'd have attached the leg straps so the snap hooks were ou the outside of my thighs instead of between them. (I'm a bit on the specturm, and the "click-click-click" of the hooks rubbing against each other with every step would quickly drive me to distraction, not to mention them digging into my legs....)
I'm a sewer and maker. See my comment on industrial sewing machines above. Thanks for this reminder on the awl trick for fabric. And I had the same thought about the snaps on the insides of the legs. Each project is a lesson for improvements on the next one.
As a woman, I would have measured to be absolutely sure my... err... nipples were fully protected. From tools and machines, and from the seams rubbing against them. Makes me wonder if a couple of snaps in the crotch area to hold the top of the slit shut might be a good idea for men? Lastly, I worry about those clasps getting caught in a project or machine. Safety always comes first! :)
* whistling* “What’s that R2?” * whistling* “If I don’t adjust my seam allowance I’m going to have misaligned edges?!” * whistling* “Aw, gee thanks R2. That was close!”
Question: what brings you the most joy? Is there a way for you to make money from it? As long as it pays for itself, just do what you love. Make, design, cook, play sports, whatever... Just don't give up wanting to do it.
I made a shop apron recently and I sewed a square neodymium magnet behind a patch up by the collar bone. I can attach nails, drill bits, etc for a quick moment and they just hang there. Really handy feature!
You and Alec Steele should totally meet up. He’s a blacksmith that just came to the US from the UK. He’s done some amazing things, and I think it would make for some amazing content whenever this whole quarantine thing is over.
That would be so good, they can teach each other so many things. Every time I see Alec change the tool on his mill I keep thinking he needs to add a air gun like how Adam does it.
OH MY GOODNESS! I just realized that you are the equivalent of the Bob Ross of our generation! I watch you now like I watched him as a child. Your one day builds are so relaxing. Thank you Mr. Savage.
I made one a while ago like this on my own. All you need is construction paper and tape to make a sheet big enough, the cut out the pattern on the floor. Don't be ambitious the first time and you'll be fine
It is very helpful watching him get frustrated and handle aggravation. It is very helpful how he says his thought process out loud and talks through spontaneous changes and adaptations. It takes the mystique out of expertise and is encouraging for amateurs.
when you said you going to narrow the top part i was worried about the straps scraping the neck, and be honest it looks like it could have been a smidge wider as i see neck scraping straps....
@@sandollor search for waxed cotton canvas, marine quality. Here in Germany, you find it primarily in northern Germany as oilskin for sailors and boats. Maybe in your country you can find it in similar places.
Thanks Adam for making these video during lock down (I’m in the UK) your ‘kid in a candy shop’ excitement & enthusiasm in your work has really been great to watch over this time, it’s a breath of fresh air and escapism from all that’s going on around us. Keep them coming and thanks for the fun and cheer you bring, plus your insight & build experience and how you approach your work. ❤️
Adam! Thank you so much for sharing! I've been sewing for well over 20 years, but I just started wearing all of my sewing tools on me in an apron. The one I bought works, but the pockets are not exactly right. Thanks to you, I have been inspired to hack/alter my existing apron to make it work perfectly for me!
Coming back after 3 years to say that my wife bought one of the production ones you made for this Christmas and it rules! Never worn an apron but it is so useful
Agreed, As a former SORT member your fasteners are on the outside so they don't catch on each other. I literally thought he will end up changing that over time lol.
@@randdmoore1 Yep. I figured he would have went for a regular buckle. On the outside. I'm waiting for the "I hooked my boat snaps together while walking across the shop" video. The lack of breakaways also worry me with his lathe tendencies.
Adam makes an amazing purse he can wear. I love it. Every time I chose a purse it is the separation of things. a way that I can remember where every item goes. I want to be able to reach in and find what I am looking for without fail. I have not found that bag. I have come close.
"I never SPENT a CENT that wasn't MINE" "You SENT the dogs after my SCENT!?" "That's FINE!" Man, Lin is such an artist with those internal rhymes. Loved the reference there, Adam.
I used to work at a bare board PCB manufacturing company as the company chemist (testing and maintaining the chemical baths). We used to use ammoniacal etch which uses cupric (copper+1) ions to oxidise the copper metal into a similar state which then reacts with ammonia to dissolve into the liquid. Ferric chloride is pretty much the same principle, it just uses iron ions to force metal into an ionic state then dissolves them into the polar liquid. The brass will etch slower because it's a mixture of metals and they will oxidise at different rates. My advice for the best and cleanest etch is actually to dunk the piece into the tub of ferric chloride and slowly move it back and forth. The agitation will come from the solution itself. The reason you are moving the liquid around is to ensure that fresh chemical is always in contact with the working area. You could also warm the metal slightly before etching to make chemistry more active (warning not to make it hot as this could liberate some nasty vapours). I'm now working in manufacturing engineering after getting my degree in Electronic design! My love of science and engineering is all because I was inspired as a kid watching Mythbusters and particularly Adam's enthusiasm for learning about the amazing universe around us and applying that to create! If you do read this Adam - THANK YOU!
Adam, will you do a video on scissors? I'd love to see all the different scissors you use in your shop and home, and give us the backstory on why you like them for the specific tasks you use them for.
"Hey guys! Adam Savage here in my cave with another One Day Build, and this one's a tool that you might not think of as a tool. um..." *pats own chest*
LOL Two months after it was made and started appearing in videos - we now see the making of the Savage Apron! this episode was a joy to watch because Adam was so excited during the whole thing! Random dancing does indeed bode well for the outcome of the project :D
Hi Adam! So I did something similar for my culinary aprons but with one improvement you might like. You know how apron straps get all kinds of tangled in the washing machine? I cut all the straps off my aprons and put brass tarp grommets in the 4 points. The harness is some leather straps over the shoulders connected at the intersection to some thin denim straps. I use swivel snap hooks on the shoulder straps to connect to the tarp grommets on the bib. The denim back/waist straps thread through the bottom grommets and tie in the back. Tada! You just wash the apron with no tangles. In the culinary world, daily washing is a must. Love your stuff and hope you can use this tip from a fellow maker.
This is the man who should be teaching future generations!! ❤️ I’ve learned SO MUCH just from his RU-vid videos and the numerous episodes of Mythbusters! I’ve learned not just big things, but little things too. Like the whole order of operations when sewing! Never knew that! Thank you very much for the knowledge Adam!!!
In a way Eric he is, I have been reposting these videos to my other Shop teacher Friends and we are taking the lessons and applying them to our own teachable areas. I am an Auto teacher and the Head Mentor of our Robotics team. Cheers Dude and Stay safe eh
Seems to me that apron is already more than half of a bib overall. You could start from a bib overall in denim and sew on bits of leather to get the same protection & tool holding.
Awesome apron! Although I would have had the back straps crossing over on top of the leather piece rather than underneath it, aesthetics might be slightly worse but I think it would be more comfortable as you'd have a nice big flat piece of leather on your spine rather than the crossed over webbing.
If you make another version of this, try putting the leg clips on the outside, like they do on ankle gaiters. It would keep them from interfering or catching each other. This looks so beautiful.
Well now that you have the new machine...., you need a pin or magnets to hold the scissors instead of storing them on what your sewing. You could make break out the break and make a little tray and rivet it to the front of machine, or maybe with the sailrite you could but some ribs to sit over the top of the machine. Just a thought thanks for the videos Adam.
Adam, this is one example of how you are such a help towards getting rid of prejudice by just being you! You are _sewing_ this together, not, I don't know, riveting it _all_ together, or some other "manly" method of making something like this! Showing that sewing isn't just "women's work!" It's all the more important to me, having been a female semi trailer mechanic for 2½ decades, being a woman in a nearly 100% male-dominated profession, and dealing with prejudice from truck drivers over and over. When I would first start working with one or another mechanic there, they'd act like I expect to be coddled, but every time, I'd have earned their respect by the end of the week - often by the end of the day. 🙂 Thanks, Adam, for being you!
12:00 "It's almost like a clay" would you describe the texture of the waxed canvas as... maybe... Waxy? Adam? :P really enjoy the excitement in this one
One of the best things about these videos is learning the reals names of all sorts of doohickeys you see and interact with everyday but never knew what they were called. The apron turned out very nice.
I have an idea for merch. Aprons! My two suggestions. Minimize the metal on the back. A lot of projects can have you under a car or a sink or whatever and half the benefit of an apron is it gets the out of your pockets so you can move better. Second. If you alternate the hooks and loops on the legs you can you have the option to hook the legs together and wear it like a non split apron.
Adam: I'm gonna rivet these pockets. ... I'm definitely gonna rivet these pockets. ... Oh, right, I was gonna rivet these pockets. ... Well I guess a safety pin does the trick.
