4/11/08

Quick & Easy Apron















Here's another apron tutorial for those of you looking for something SUPER simple. There's nothing fancy here, just strait cuts and straight lines. I didn't add a pocket because I wanted to keep this as basic as possible. (plus, I like it better without a pocket.)

If you like this fabric, I got it at Reprodepot. The red floral is "Lotus" by Amy Butler and I have no idea what the vintage kitchen fabric is called and I can't find it on the site. (and I'm mad because I need some more!)








These are all of the pieces you'll need:

A top and bottom piece
24" wide by 23" long (or create your own size depending on what you like)

One waistband - 9" x 24" (or 4 1/2" folded)

One bottom band - 3" x 24" (or 1 1/2 " folded)

Two belt ties - 9" x 37"

To make this easier: If you were to take one yard of fabric, the one you'll use for the trim, and lay it out flat, fold the two longest pieces together, and then together again. Then cut your waistband, ties, trim, etc. with your rotary cutter and ruler. You can adjust your waistband length however you want it - but the ties will be just right.





Pin right sides together of the apron pieces and belt ties.

Leave a top opening in the apron, as well as one edge of the belt ties so you can turn them right-side-out.




Iron about 1/4" all the way around on the waistband and bottom band.




Sew seams and clip edges. Press open EVERYTHING.













Belt ties are hard to press open, so fold back one edge, press and work from there.

Turn them right-side-out, press.






Center your apron on your waistband, pin in place







I love the look of pleated ties. Simply overlap in the center and iron it flat. I usually pin it in place so it keeps it's shape while I sew.

If you do pleat, make sure you pleat opposite on either side. Pleat left on one side and right on the other side. I like my pleats to face DOWN - but do what you like. (see photo below)


Now you just stitch, starting at the top of your right corner where the belt ties are pinned, all the way around to the left corner. You can stitch the top of the waistband if you'd like, but it's not necessary.

Finally, center your bottom strip across, pin in place, and stitch.










38 comments:

Danetta said...

This is great, thank you for sharing.

The Peterson Family said...

I was already excited to join your apron swap and now you're making my life even easier. You're apron is so cute. I might have to make one for me before the swap!
Lisa P. in Hawaii

Rachel Holloway said...

TOTALLY CUTE! LOVE that fabric!!

I debated joining the swap because I am just so afraid to sew something too complicated--bit this looks SO easy! I guess maybe next time...

lera said...

Cute little apron! Great fabric choices.

Sarah said...

This is so great. I'm new to your blog, and really excited about your apron swap. Tried making an apron this week (for me...just a test), I think I will use one of your tutorials next time....so much easier! You're awesome.
Sarah, CA

LeAnne said...

I love that apron! The kitchen material for the body of the apron is adorable. I hope you find it. Thanks for sharing the link, that site has some amazing vintage prints.

I didn't join your apron swap, I really wish I could have. Life is just crazy busy at the moment. (I too am an Arizonan living in Michigan for a spell!) Loved your pictures of the desert, made me homesick. :)

Jules said...

Perfection! As soon as the critters go to bed I am making one. Thanks again for your awesome tutes!

Our Hands For Hope said...

I agree...that necklace is great!
terisa

missliss5/Melissa said...

That apron looked SO cute on you last night!

Crystal said...

I love this Abby! Perfect for those of us who are sewing impaired!

Dianna said...

I am excited to try this. It seems perfect: cute, easy for a beginner like me, and I'm in desperate need of an apron.

Lisa said...

Thank you for the great tutorial, I've just made one for my 3 year old daughter and she loves it! I'm making a matching one for myself too.

Elizabeth said...

I especially adore that bright red fabric!

Carolyn said...

Hello! I just posted on my blog a picture of my first apron that I made using this great pattern of yours. Thank you for sharing it! My blog is ivyleaguehomemaker.blogspot.com. Your blog is inspiring. I'm also LDs, by the way.

digibudi said...

Thank you for sharing this pattern! I was looking for a simple but good pattern, et voilĂ ! P.S.: coincidence or not, I used the same kitchen fabric for a little purse I've made for a craft give away last month! you can see it here :

http://digibudi.blogspot.com/2008/07/craft-community-needs-you.html

Merry & Gary said...

Hello, I just stumbled upon your blog and love this apron. My daughter is looking for a cute & simple apron to make for Christmas gifts and I think this is perfect. Thanks for sharing. We are LDS also.

Cary Hairbows said...

I found you through Google, and WOW what a treat! I love this apron and will make a bunch of these as Christmas gifts. Thank you so much! I have you marked as a "must read" blog!

Shannon

Caley said...

We just love the wrap-around tie and the cute fabric. We featured a link to this quick and easy apron as part of our Apron Patterns Roundup here. Thank you for sharing =)

Kathleen said...

I love the wrap around ties and wide bands you've been using one your approns. Perhaps I can turn this into a young women's activity. i think I'll try it out an see if how it goes. Love your blog.

Anonymous said...

I love this apron, can't wait to make one.

Grace said...

I used a kitchen towel I received for Christmas for this apron, it simplified the sewing even more! Love the finished product, very cute!

Sienna Starfish said...

This is so cute and looks so easy even I might be able to do it. Thanks so much for sharing it!

Sienna Starfish said...
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Sienna Starfish said...
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Jill said...

I realize it's been awhile since you posted this, but I've only recently discovered you ;) Anyway, I wanted to say, I love your blog and I made an apron today! I'm an aspiring crafter/baker/cook and a mother of five. I've never made a scrap of clothing (I have made some pillows and tie block quilts when I was a teenager), and this is the FIRST article of clothing I've ever made. I'm so proud of myself and I have you to thank for it :) You can see how it turned out here: johnnyandjill.blogspot.com

kay said...

I love this pattern! I have been looking at the instructions and I have one question if anyone can answer it. Is this apron lined? I have purchased material and after looking at the instructions again I think I might not have enough material. Thank you for any help!

Abby said...

Hi Kay! {I hope you get this!} This apron has a front and back piece - so it's technically lined. You sew the two pieces right sides together - and that gives you a double thickness. I hope you have fun making an apron!

Whitney said...

Hi, Abby, I am so excited to make my first apron ever...inspired by this tutorial! :)

I bought all the fabric, I'm cutting it and then I just had a "oh, no!" moment...was I supposed to pre-wash the fabric???? I hope not and I'm going to forge ahead, but hopefully I'll hear back from you because I plan on making more than one. :)

Thanks!!
Whitney

Abby said...

Whitney - YES! Prewash fabric! It will most definitely shrink up and you want that to happen before you sew.

Good luck!!!

Whitney said...

Abby,
Thanks for the quick response! I finished the apron as is (LOVE it!) and I'll wash it and see how it fares. I'm holding out hope that it does OK. As far as washing all of the fabric I bought: won't it fray and cut down on the amount of usable size? I could sew a zig zag stitch on all of the cut edges, but that might take a long time on the pieces I've measured and cut already for the next apron. Ideas??
Thanks,
Whitney

Abby said...

Hey Whitney! Your apron should be fine - the shrinkage won't be a big deal. Whenever you buy new fabric, wash it, and press it, it does fray a little bit around the edges, but not enough to cut into your usable fabric. It's SO much better to wash, press, and rotary cut your fabric edges than to not wash it at all. You'll still have plenty left to make cute aprons!

I want to see pictures of your apron, girl!!! Send me an email - my address is up top on the sidebar!

Kyla Armstrong said...

I know you posted this tut forever ago, but I just found it and love it. My poor brain can't do the math though - how much total yardage of each fabric do I need?

Kira J. said...

I love this apron!! I'm just learning to sew and this was very easy once I got the hang of it. I've made five to give as gifts and will be making more. They were a huge hit. Thanks SO much for sharing!!

amy said...

This tutorial is so helpful, so easy to follow! LOVE the style of this apron and your fabric choices. I am a screenprinter and I'm about to make one in linen and then screen print one of my designs on it. Wish me luck. Thank YOU bunches!

KJ@letsgoflyakite said...

Thanks for this pattern. It's great. I made it for my daughter's teacher. I added a little ribbon to the waistband to make a tea towel holder.

http://letsgoflyakiteuptothehighestheight.blogspot.com/2010/12/sewing-projects-using-festive-fabrics.html

Candace @ Candace Creations said...

Thanks for the tutorial! I made one of these last night and love how it turned out, I like the pleated look on the belt ties too! I posted a pic on my blog and linked to this post.

Atelier do Feltro said...

So nice... congratulations

Becky said...

I know your tutorial is very old, but I just stumbled upon it and made my first apron last night! It turned out perfect! I love how it ties all the way around and back in the front. Can't wait to give it as a gift tomorrow! Thank you for sharing :)