Directions for Making an Apron

Make a simple apron for a costume.

An apron can make a plain dress into a prairie girl costume or a choir robe into a pilgrim costume. Half aprons are stylish again, so sew up a matching set of mother/daughter aprons for a useful family gift. A bright apron made to match your curtains is decorative even when it is hanging on a hook in the corner.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric
• Iron
• Sewing machine
• Matching thread

Instructions

1. Cut a 20-inch by 36-inch rectangle of fabric for the apron and a strip of fabric 5 inches wide and 2 yards long for the waistband.

2. Fold under 1/2 inch on both short sides of the rectangle. Press the folds. Turn under 1/4 inch on both folded edges. Press these folds. Stitch close to the folded edges.

3. Baste along the top long edge of the rectangle with a 5/8-inch seam allowance. Baste again in the seam allowance. Pull up the gathering threads until the fabric measures 20 inches. Distribute the gathers evenly.

4. Pin the apron to the waistband, right sides together, matching edges and centers. Stitch with a 5/8-inch seam allowance. Press the seam allowance toward the waistband.

5. Fold the waistband in half with the right sides together. Sew from the edge of the apron to the end of the ties on each side, turning the corner and sewing along the ends of the ties. Turn the ties right side out and press the entire waistband folding up the raw edge behind the apron.

6. Slip stitch the opening in the waistband closed.

7. Turn up a 4-inch hem and press, turning under 1/2 inch of the raw edge. Sew the hem by hand or machine.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are in a hurry you can sew the opening in the waistband by machine. Stitch in the indentation between the band and the gathers being careful to catch the other edge of the fabric.

Resources

• Sew Beautiful