This Free apron pattern and tutorial includes a video tutorial! You can make a classic apron that is cute enough for hosting, but practical for everyday use!
Inspired by the “Baking Outside the Box” Recipe book.
You’ll need:
1.5 yards cotton ( 1 yard fabric A , 1/2 yard fabric B)
Rotary cutter, ruler and mat
Cording (optional)
Thread
Iron
Sewing Essentials (scissors, pins, etc.)
Sewing Machine
Video Tutorial Here, Written Below:
Thankful Apron Pattern – Free apron pattern and tutorial
1 – Cut out pattern;
Print up the pattern (you can get assembly instructions here)
Cut out pattern pieces. You will need to cut 2 of the top – One of the front and one of the liner.
Note that the front bodice piece you cut where the dotted line is.
In addition to the top you will need to cut the following:
Cut 3 of the Neck strap/ waist strap piece – be sure to set on the fold where it says in the pattern.
You will need to cut one of the 2nd neck strap (the shorter one) again be sure to place on the fold.
You will then need to cut the skirt. Using a rotary cutter cut across the full width of the fabric to make the skirt. The length you desire is up to you – In the example I chose to make a shorter skirt that was about 18 inches long.
Note: If you want to make a apron with a “belt” (the strip of fabric at the waist as seen in the example) you will need to cut one more of neck/ waist strap 1.
2 – Begin to build the apron
Turn under .25 inches twice and press with an iron the edges of the rectangle that will be the skirt ( all sides including the hem). Then sew using a straight stitch down the middle of the pressed seam. Set aside.
Tip: One easy way is to sew a straight stitch .25 away from the edge of the cloth – it’s an easy line to follow while ironing and it reinforces the fabric from fraying.
Do the same to the 2 waist strips. Turn under undes .25 inches twice and sew using a straight stich.
I know that finishing like this a is a pain – but it will make the garment able to take a lot of abuse and can be thrown in the washer without a second thought.
2b – prepare the neck straps
The two neck straps are not the same length on purpose – it’s part of the pattern to tie a bow on the side rather than in the back.
Taking the two strips that will be the neck ties, fold one right sides together (so it makes a strip that is approc 1.75 inches wide), and sew, using .25 seam allowance.
Using a safety pint on one end, Turn right side out, press. Repeat with other strip.
Take one end of the strip and tuck the raw edges in on itself, about an inch and top stitch shut. Set aside
Repeat with other neck strap.
3 – Prep Pieces for the bodice
Turn bottom of lining under 1 inch and press.
If making the waist band, hold up to bodice and trim to correct length.
Then turn under the top long edge of waistband .5 inches and press down (add cording if desired at this time.)
3b – prep the front bodice piece
If you are adding the waist band you will need to attach it to the front at this time. Line up the waist band piece with the bottom of the bodice. Pin the top and bottom thoroughly. Top stitch the piece onto the bodice about the .25 inches in fromthe waistband edge.
4 – Begin to bring it all together
Take the skirt part of the apron.
Make a basting stitch at the top of the rectangle (the 40 inch long side of the skirt ) near the edge (about .25) gather to the length of the bottom of the bodice. With right sides together pin to the bottom of the bodice and sew bodice and skirt together using a .5 seam allowance.
Tip: mark the center of your skirt with a pencil at the top – this will help ou be able to arrange your gathers more evenly.
5- Add the straps
Pin the neck and waist tie straps to each side of the bodice on the right side of the fabric. Sew on the straps, with a .25 seam allowance. This is to just give them extra reinforcement.
Note: The side with the shorter neck strap is the side the bow will be on.
Pin the straps out of the way, so they won’t get caught in the seam allowance of the bodice
6 – Attach the lining to the bodice
Then pin the lining or back side to thebodice, right sides together – the straps should be sandwiched in between. Sew all the way around the bodice from one side to the other leaving the bottom (where the bodice meets the skirt – the section you ironed under open. The section you ironed under should be facing up). Sew all the way around the bodice except for the bottom using using a .25 seam allowance.
7 – Finishing touches
Turn right side out, making sure straps are fully turned. Now that the bodice is turned you are almost there!
Pin the bottom of lining (that is not attached) to the front of bodice to hold in place.
Topstich all the way around the bodice .25 from the edge – including the bottom (this should sew the bottom shut).
Trim threads and you are finished!
Download the free pattern here.
You can get a free copy of Adobe reader here. By downloading you are agreeing to pattern terms of use. Click the picture of the pattern envelope to download the .pdf !
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