I shared this apron tutorial several months ago on Karen’s blog ‘Redoux‘.  Now I’m sharing it here with all of you.  And just in case you wonder – Karen was totally fine with me posting it here too 🙂   She asked if I was interested in guest posting and suggested a sewing tutorial. So I set about designing an apron that can be made without a pattern.  With the help of my Teenager as a model, I did indeed come up with one.

The cream and black apron I made for myself.  It was the second apron, after doing some tweaking and changing to make it fit nicely.

Apron takes a little more than 1/2 a yard of fabric, a package of extra-wide double fold bias binding, and whatever ribbon you wish.  I prefer at least 5/8 inch wide.  After perfecting the pattern to my satisfaction I pulled out a vintage tablecloth from my stash.  The seam binding and linen ribbon were found in my on-hand supplies to.  If you  have a half a yard of fabric or even a little less you can adjust the length of the lower apron to accommodate the fabric you have.

You will need:

1 – 20×24 inch Rectangle

1 – 12×18 inch Rectangle

1 – 5×20 inch Rectangle

Ribbon – wrap around your waist, double that and add 12 inches (this will go around your waist and back around and tie in front – if you want it to tie in the back you will only need to go around your waist once.)

1 package extra-wide double fold bias binding

 Start with a straight edge.    My tablecloth was hemmed but not very straight.  I straightened it up using my metal yard stick.  {Lower left photo}  Draw a line with a pen and cut along the line.

I used the selvage edge of my tablecloth as the bottom edge of my apron – I measured 24 inches wide {Top Photo} and made a small snip to mark my width.

 From that snip mark I measured up 20 inches and made a small dot {Lower Right Photo}

I measured up 20 inches on the edge I straightened and marked it.  Then from that 20″ mark I measured over 24 inches.  Look at the lower right photo again.  See both dots?  The one to the right was my first mark when I measured up.  The dot to the left is the one that marked the 24 inches from the other side edge.  This dot I lined up with the snip mark at the bottom edge, drew a line using my yard stick, and cut on it.  That is how I cut a rectangle.

If you have a better way – please feel free to disregard all this!!  The same technique can be used for the 12×18, and 5×20 rectangles.

Now fold your large rectangle in half.  The 20 inch long raw edges will be lined up together.  The 24 inch side is the bottom of your apron.  At the top edge of your folded rectangle, measure in 2 inches from the raw edges {Top Right Photo}  Lay your yard stick in a diagonal line from the corner of the bottom edge to the mark you just made.  Draw a line along the yard stick.  Cut on that line.

Your large piece should look like this.

Follow the same steps for the 12×18 rectangle – but where you measured in 2 inches from the raw edges you need to measure in 3 inches.  Also, the raw edges need to be the 12 inch edges.  The 18 inch side will be the bottom of the top piece.  Now fold the 5×20 piece in half lengthwise and press.  Serge the top edge of your large piece (the bottom apron piece).  Serge the bottom and the top edge of the upper piece of the apron (the one that was the 12×18 inch rectangle to start with)  Hem the top of the upper piece by pressing the serged edge under and top stitch.

Lay the folded edge of the 5×20 strip on top of the serged edge of the lower apron piece; top stitch in place.  I double top stitched because I like the look of double top stitching.  Serge the top raw edges together.

To finish the side edges I used the extra-wide double fold bias binding.  Encase the side edges of the top and bottom pieces in the binding and top stitch.  Lower right photo shows how I fold the bias binding over at the top so there is no raw edge of bias binding showing.  Hemming these edges will also work if you don’t want to use the binding.  Or  just serge them if you want.  If you don’t have a selvage edge for the bottom of your apron like I did, you can encase that in binding too, or serge and hem it like the top piece of the apron.

Center your upper apron piece on the lower apron piece {Upper Left Photo}

Top stitch over the serged edge, just like you did earlier when you put the 5×20 folded strip to the lower part of the apron.  Now add your ribbon, which will cover the seam you just sewed and become your apron strings.

Find the center of your ribbon by folding it in half.  Match that center with the center of your apron – I just eyeball it – you can measure or fold the apron in half to find the center.  Lay ribbon on apron making sure it covers the serging/seam, and stitch it on from edge to edge.  Strings should be long enough to go around your waist and back around to the front and tie.  If you would prefer that your strings tie in the back cut your ribbon accordingly.

Almost finished!!

You need a ribbon to go around your neck to keep the apron on.  Start with a 20 inch piece of ribbon.  I recommend using safety pins, pinning the ribbon on the apron at the top corners and trying it on to see how long you want the ribbon.  Everyone likes it a little different.  Mine ended up about 18 inches long, the one I made my daughter was shorter.  Once the ribbon is the  length you want it, unpin and stitch in place, with the ribbon ends to the back side of the apron.  I angled the ribbon in towards the center of the apron just a little.  Make sure your ribbon is not twisted before sewing the second side on.  You should now be able to slide the ribbon over your head, and tie the strings around your waist.

And just like that you have a cute, fun apron to wear while cooking or crafting 🙂  Hang in a prominent spot where you can grab it quickly and where visitors can see it and exclaim over it.  Wash as needed.

Some variation suggestions:  Add a ruffle to the bottom, or along the top edge at the neck, or both.  Add a pocket or two to the front of the ‘skirt’ and/or a big pocket to the ‘bib’. Prefer a half apron?  Just skip the steps for the top part.  Lengthen or shorten to suit your style.  Embellish any way you please!

Send me pictures if you make one 😀

Sew a Fine Seam

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