How to Make an Apron

This basic bib-type apron is knee length and has fabric ties around the waist and at the neck. This simple sewing project is great for beginners and makes a wonderful gift.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Brushes
• Butcher Papers
• Embroidery Needles
• Muslin
• Dressmaker Pins
• Dressmaker Shears
• Embroidery Floss
• Embroidery Hoops
• Fabric Paints
• Fabric-marking Pens
• Fabrics
• Irons
• Scrap Fabrics
• Sewing Machine
• Tapestry Needles
• Threads
• Scissors
• Pencils
• Kraft Papers
• Yardsticks

1. Choose 1 1/4 yards of fabric for your apron. If the apron is for gardening or other outdoor work, choose a heavy fabric such as denim or canvas. Otherwise, choose a medium-weight fabric. Prewash the fabric.

2. Make a paper pattern for your apron out of butcher or kraft paper. Lay the paper on a fabric cutting board and use a yardstick, pencil and scissors to measure and cut the paper to 36 inches by 25 inches. Position the paper so that the 25-inch ends are to your left and right.

3. Make a pencil mark 8 inches down from the top left corner on the left short edge. Now make a mark 10 inches from the top left corner on the top long edge. Rotate the paper to the right so that the short left edge is now at the top.

4. Start at the first pencil mark you made in step 3 and draw a line that gently curves down and out toward the second pencil mark. This line will form the bib portion of the apron.

5. Fold the apron fabric lengthwise and place the 36-inch edge of the paper pattern on the fold. Pin the paper to the fabric with dressmaker pins and make sure that the paper's edge lines up evenly with the fold.

6. Use dressmaker shears to cut through both layers of fabric just outside the paper's edges (except at the long edge placed on the fabric fold). Cut along the curved line you made in step 4. Unpin the pattern and set the cut-out fabric aside.

7. Use a fabric cutting board, yardstick and fabric marking pen to mark, measure and cut out 8 fabric strips - 4 that measure 29 inches by 2 inches and 4 that measure 19 inches by 2 inches.

8. Use an iron to press all raw fabric edges (on both the strips and apron piece) in toward the wrong side of the fabric.

9. Turn under all edges on the apron piece an additional 1/2 inch and pin the fabric into place. Use a sewing machine to stitch the turned-under edges into place.

10. Take two strips of equal size and lay one on top of the other so that the wrong sides are together. Pin the pieces together. Sew along all sides about 1/8 inch from the edges. Repeat for the remaining fabric strips.

11. Attach the two shorter strips to the top of the apron. Place each strip about 1/2 inch in from the sewn edges and position it so that about 1/2 inch of each end is hidden behind the apron top. Stitch over each strip end, using the hemlines you made in step 9 as a stitching guide.

12. Repeat step 11 for the remaining two fabric strips. This time, however, attach the strips at each side of the apron at the point where the bib portion ends.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid making the bib's curve too deep or it will be hard to turn the hem under in step 9. A gentler curve will also give the wearer more coverage at the apron's top.

• Make a "test" apron out of inexpensive muslin or other scrap fabric. This will allow you to adjust for length and width before you cut your apron fabric.

• Make your apron out of a print fabric or decorate the fabric yourself. Use fabric paints or fabric paint pens or decorate the fabric after you cut it out from the pattern. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly before sewing or ironing.

• Use cross-stitch, needlepoint and embroidery to embellish the apron fabric.

• Add pockets to a garden or kitchen apron. Cut a piece of fabric to the desired pocket dimensions. Turn the edges under about 1/8 inch and then pin the pocket to the apron. Stitch it into place along the pocket edges.