by Nina Banks
Need a quick and easy project for that favorite someone? This simple apron only takes about 3 hours from start to finish and uses a 4×4 hoop for the embroidery portion. Pick the favorite theme and colors of the recipient and go with it! For instance, my daughter loves birdhouses, so I chose some nice birdhouses to embroider on an apron for her. One size fits all, but you can cut the ties shorter if needed.
Supplies list:
* 5/8 yd (45″ wide) of a main fabric choice (A)
* 1/4 yd for a contrasting fabric to match above (B)
* 1 piece 8 x 8 white fabric (or complimentary solid color)
* 1 piece 8 x 8 iron on stabilizer
* Embroidery design (I chose a Beautiful Birdhouse from DBS)
* Sewing thread to match A
* Embroidery thread colors of choice
* 1 Large safety pin
Note: Use a 1/4″ seam allowance.
1. Iron stabilizer to 8 x 8 white fabric, set aside.
2. From the top of A, cut two 3″ wide strips (each 45″ long) these will be the ties and waist band, the remainder of A will be used for the rest of your apron.
3. Sew around each piece of fabric, and the white material with a zig-zag stitch.
4. To make the ties and apron band, sew short ends together of the two 3″ wide strips you cut previously and press the seam flat.
5. Mark 10″ on each side of the center seam.
6. Sew the ties shut from this mark to the end, leaving the ends open for turning. Repeat for other end. Press seams flat
7. To turn the ties, fasten the large safety pin at one end of the tie, then insert the pin into the tie ‘tube’ and push the pin to the center, pulling out the tie (note: the open center is for the apron). Repeat the same procedure for the other tie. Press seams flat.
8. If you need to shorten the ties, this is the stage to do it. You can accomplish this by holding the band and ties centered in front of you, now tie them . . . do they seem too long? If so, cut them to the length you need.
9. Now turn down 1/4″ on each side of center of the band and press flat. Set aside.
10. Now with right sides together, sew fabric B to the bottom of the apron. Press seam down.
11. Hem: Turn up 1/4″ at the bottom of the apron, press, turn up again, press again, then sew in place. Sew the side seams the same way. Set aside.
12. Now embroider your design on the 8 x 8 white material (this is the pocket on the apron). When finished, turn under 1/4″ around the pocket, press, then turn down the top and press again.
Sew across the top of the pocket only for now. Pin the pocket on the apron 4.5″ from the side, and 7.5″ from the top (below the gathering) then sew the sides and bottom of the pocket.
13. Gather the top of the apron and pin to center opening on the open part of the band, sew with a 1/4″ seam. Follow by removing the gathering threads, press seam up. Pin the back of the tie to your apron to cover the gathering and sew in place. Now sew the ends of the ties closed and you’re done.
Front
Back (I hand stiched this)>
Finished!
Thank you for the tutorial. Aprons are so trendy now and your description makes it possible to create a cute apron with embroidery on it. Thank you for sharing your work and creativity with us. Barbara in Saint Louis
Very cute
Beautiful! Nicely done.
Penney
Cute project. I appreciate the detailed photo instructions. Now, I need to go make one !
Thank you for the lovely apron. I can’t wait to try it out. I am always looking for easy tips to sew. I love embroidery, but I am not the best at making items.
Nice and clear instructions.
I too love aprons & this one is so cute, & you made it so easy for people to do. I wouldn’t have thought of putting a design on only the pocket–good thinking!
How Cute! I sew with the grandaughters quite a bit and have one 8 years old and this will be a perfect little project for her! She is the most interested of all the kids.
Thank- you for this very pretty apron.When I was in school I remeber making a apron, using gingham fabric and hand embroidery the pocket. the sewing wasn’t as much fun as it is now because we can quickly machine embroidery designs. Makes a nice gift for someone special!
I re-editing .I want to add how well you wrote this project. Using fully colored photo illustrations. Nice job!
This take me back to when my Grandmother showed me how to make an apron years ago. Of course it didn’t have any embroidery on it. Thanks for instructions and bringing back memories.
I will be making some of the aprons for my three granddaughters. I am teaching the older one how to embroider on some items so she gets the feel of it. I think this will be something she will like to do herself and maybe for the younger two after the aprons are made.
thank you so much -I just made a birthday one for a neighbour for his 60th and it took me a couple of days using my head as a pattern – turned out well but now I have a pattern for a lady thank you so much – I have now a project to do in such a short time – now that I have some time to do it that is – I shall do one tomorrow -
Loved the apron and the colors are so suited to each other. What a wonderful idea and looks to be easy enough for anyone to do. Thanks for the idea
This is a great tutorial for a simple, yet pretty, apron. The instructions are clear and the pictures are very helpful. Thank you, I will surely try this.