How to Make a Simple Denim Craft Apron for Your Child

This craft apron is easy to sew, and makes a nice gift for a preschool or early elementary school aged child. Children will enjoy receiving this apron in a gift package, accompanied by a selection of simple cooking tools or crafts supplies.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 5/8 yard medium weight denim or cotton duck
• 4 yards contrasting bias tape
• Thread to match bias tape
• Purchased decorative appliqué (suggested height 1 inch)
• Newsprint, kraft paper or wrapping paper to cut pattern
• Pencil/pen
• Yardstick and drafting triangle
• Scissors and fabric shears
• Sewing pins
• Sewing machine
• Steam iron

1. 
   Basic apron shape

   Make a pattern: Lay out the newsprint, and with the pencil and drafting triangle, measure a 7”wide by 11”high rectangle. Mark a horizontal line at 5 ½” high. At the base of the rectangle extend the width 3 ½ inches each side to make a second rectangle 14”wide by 15” high. Now you have two stacked rectangles. Connect the top edges of the wider rectangle with the halfway-point up the sides of the smaller rectangle on top, and now you have an apron shape. The top edge is the neck of the craft apron.

2. 
   Folded in half to taper the edges

   If you wish to curve the armhole shape (angled piece) draw an eased curve along one side, fold the paper in half, and copy that curve on the second side.

3. Cut out the pattern, and pin it onto the fabric. Use sewing shears to cut out one piece.

4. Do a double turned edge on the bottom (or hem edge) of the apron, by turning over and pressing under ¼’ then 3/8” fabric, pressing each smooth. The trick is to make sure you turn it in the right direction, so that the finished hem is actually on the back of the fabric. You will have this part of the fabric exposed when you make the pocket.

5. 
   Apron with turned up pocket

   Turn up the bottom of the apron 4 ½ inches, and pin in place. This will be the pocket of the apron. Stitch the sides to secure, then press, and mark four even vertical divisions across the pocket with a pencil or tailor’s crayon. Topstitch the vertical divisions. This will tack down the fabric and divide the larger pocket into four small pockets.

6. Cut 1 piece of bias tape about 8” long, pin it along the top face of the apron at the neckline, and enclose the raw edges of the fabric. Topstitch into place. Trim excess tape beyond the edge of the apron.

7. Cut 2 pieces of bias tape 1 ¼ yard each. Pin onto each side of the apron, enclosing the raw edges of the fabric. To make a nice finished end, turn under the raw edges of the bias tape and topstitch the end before topstitching up the sides of the apron and up the edges of the extended bias tape pieces. The extra bias tape at the top will form the neck straps.

8. Cut 2 pieces of bias tape 18” long, fold in the ends to make a neat corner, and then stitch up the sides of the tape to make waist straps. Attach the two pieces, one to either side, at the juncture of the small rectangle with the larger one, at the waist of the apron. Stitch into place.

9. Stitch on the decorative appliqué.