Skill Level:
(requires basic sewing knowledge)
Project Cost: $15+
Materials:
1. Four coordinating
fabrics,
A. For main fabric: 3/4 yard of 45"-wide fabric,
B. For ties and pocket: 1 yard of
45"-wide fabric,
C. For pocket trim and ruffle: 1/3 yard of 45"-wide fabric,
D. For lining: 3/4 yard of 45"-wide fabric.
2. Coordinating thread (I used
white for the whole thing).
Tools & Supplies:
1. Scissors,
2. Sewing machine,
3. Iron,
4. Tape measure,
5. Straight pins.
Instructions:
Note: All seams are 5/8" unless otherwise
specified.
1. Cut out your fabrics:
Cut out the following pieces:
A. Main fabric: 28.25" wide X
19.25" long
B. Lining fabric: 28.25" wide X 19.25" long
(not shown in photo above)
C. Pocket fabric: 12.25" wide X 6.75" long
D. Ties: 3 strips, each 36.25" wide X 6.25" long
E. Pocket trim: 12.25" wide X 2.5" long
F. Ruffle fabric: 2 strips, each 28.25" wide X
4.25" long
2. Prepare the pocket
1. With right sides together, pin the
pocket trim to the top of the pocket fabric and sew.
2. Working from the front of the pocket,
flip the trim up and iron.
3. Now turn pocket over and work from the
back. Fold trim fabric to the top of the pocket fabric and
iron. Fold the trim fabric down one more time over the
pocket fabric, and iron again.
4. Working from the front of the pocket,
sew the trim onto the pocket fabric. Sew as closely to the
edge of the trim as possible.
5. Take pocket back to ironing board.
Working from the back side of the pocket, fold the bottom edge
and both side edges 5/8" and iron.
6. On the bottom corners, unfold the seam
allowance that you just ironed, and fold the corner in at a 90
degree angle.
7. Re-fold the seams and iron again.
This forms a nice corner. Repeat this on the other bottom
corner.
3. Attach the pocket to the main fabric
1. Pin the pocket to the front of the main
fabric. The top of the pocket should be approximately 5 to
6 inches from the top of the main apron fabric.
2. Working from the front of the
apron/pocket, sew along the edge, bottom, and other edge of the
pocket. Try to sew as closely to the edge of the pocket as
possible.
3. (Optional) Sew a straight line
down the middle of the pocket to form two pockets.
4. Prepare and attach the ruffle
1. With right sides together, sew the two
strips of ruffle fabric together end to end to form one very
long strip.
2. At one end, fold the fabric in half
with right sides together, and sew a seam on the end only.
Repeat on the other end.
3. To avoid bulkiness, cut a "V" from the
corner. Then turn the strip right side out. Fold the
entire strip in half and iron.
4. Set your sewing machine to the largest
stitch (basting stitch), and sew a gathering thread along the
top edge of the ruffle. You should be sewing along the
edge with the raw fabric edges. Because the piece is very
long, it's a good idea to start in the middle and sew towards
one end, then start in the middle and sew towards the other end.
5. Pin the ruffle to the front bottom edge
of the main apron fabric. Be sure to leave space on each
end of the apron front for the seam. I suggest bringing
the ruffle fabric in about 3/4" from the edge of the apron
fabric.
6. Find the center of the bottom edge of
the apron and pin the center seam of the ruffle to the center.
7. Using your gathering threads, ruffle
the fabric until it fits the bottom of the apron edge. Sew
along the bottom edge to attach ruffle. Fold
the corner of the ruffle in and pin so that it won't get caught
in the side seam during the next step.
5. Finish main part of apron
1. Pin the lining fabric to the main
fabric, right sides together. Be sure that the ruffle is
sandwiched between the two fabrics, and that the corners of the
ruffle are folded in so that they won't get caught in the seam.
2. Sew along the side, bottom, and other
side of the apron. Cut a "V" from each bottom corner to
avoid bulkiness. Turn apron right side out and iron along
the edges.
3. Pin main fabric and lining along the
top edge of the apron.
4. On the top edge, measure in from the
right edge 8 inches and place a pin to mark. Then measure
in 9 inches and place another pin to mark. Bring pins
together for form a little pleat and pin the pleat in place.
Repeat from the other side so that the apron has two small
pleats along the top edge.
6. Sew and attach the ties
1. Sew the three strips of fabric together
to form one very long strip. Iron the seams open.
2. Find the middle of the ties, and with right sides
together, pin the tie to the middle of the apron top edge.
Continue pinning all along top edge of apron. Sew in
place.
3. Working with the loose tie ends, fold in half, right
sides together, and pin. Sew the ends and along the long
edge, ending approximately 3/4" from the apron front.
Repeat with the other loose tie end. Turn the ties right
side out and iron.
4. Pin the tie to the back side of the top edge of the
apron.
5. Beginning at the very end of one of the ties, stitch
along the bottom edge of the tie as closely to the edge as
possible. Continue sewing along the apron top, and finish
at the other end of the other tie.
6. Remove pins and enjoy!!
Helpful Hints:
1. I preferred making mine with
coordinating fabrics, but I've seen aprons made with completely
random fabrics also, and they looked fantastic.
2. Before sewing the ties, they can be
lengthened or shortened for a more custom fit.
3. Rather than using a plain lining
fabric, you could use a different decorative fabric and attach a
pocket to that side as well. Then you'd have a reversible
apron.
Variations:
We don't have any variations on this project, but if you do, we'd love
to hear yours!
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