How to Make a Patchwork Apron

Making a patchwork apron is a fun way to use up scraps of fabric left over from completed sewing projects. The apron is perfect for use in your own kitchen or to give as a gift.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Fabric scraps
• 1 yard of coordinating solid colored fabric
• Thread
• Pins
• Sewing machine
• Self-healing cutting mat
• Rotary cutter
• Ruler
• Iron
• Ironing board

1. Wash and dry all of the fabric to preshrink it, making sure to place it in lingerie bags to minimize fraying during the wash cycle.
2. Use the rotary cutter, self-healing cutting mat and ruler cut out 30 squares from your scraps of fabric that are 3 by 3 inches in size.
3. Arrange the squares in a rectangle with five squares across (for the width of your apron) and six down (for the length of your apron).
4. Pin and sew the squares together with the right sides facing together one at a time to complete a row. Allow for a ¼-inch seam allowance.
5. Press each seam open with a hot iron.
6. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 for the remaining rows.
7. Pin the rows together with the right sides of the fabric facing together then sew each row together with a ¼-inch seam allowance.
8. Press open each seam with the hot iron.
9. Cut two 4-by-24 inch strips down the length of the solid colored fabric.
10. Measure the finished quilted piece. Use the rotary cutter, self-healing mat and ruler to cut out a piece of solid colored fabric in that size.
11. Fold the strips of solid colored fabric in half so that they now measure 2 by 24 inches in size. Pin the fabric in place then press the seam with the hot iron.
12. Sew the strips along two of the open seams to form a tube, leaving one of the 2 inch long ends open. Turn the tubes right side out.
13. Pin the quilted piece and the solid colored rectangle together with the right sides facing each other. Tuck the open ends of each tube inside the seam near the top corners of the apron.
14. Stitch the pieces together leaving a 3 inch hole along one edge. Turn the piece right side out.
15. Slip stitch the opening closed.

Tips & Warnings

• Take your time when cutting out the pieces for this apron. Each piece needs to be cut perfectly so that all the corners meet when you stitch the quilt pieces together.