Iron Sew

Iron Sew

How to: Sew an Apron

It's easier for me to do a chore if I am first outfitted with the proper accoutrements. For example, doing the dishes is much more palatable if I have a cute new pair of rubber gloves. Sewing is more fun with a pretty pin cushion too, and don't even get me started on how much the perfect 1950s housewife dress makes me want to vacuum.

Baking and cooking are definitely onerous tasks for me, a clear kitchen novice, so what better way to motivate myself to put spatula to pan than with a cute new apron?

To make your own apron, all you need is a sewing machine, an iron, and some fabric (I used a vintage sheet).

First I cut the fabric into the size and shape I wanted the front of my apron to be. I didn't use a tutorial, so I just estimated and measured against one of my skirts. My fabric ended up being about 26″ wide by 20″ long, but as you'll see at the end, it was a little too big. I also cut two strips that were 4″x45″ to serve as the waistband and tie. You could alternatively cut one 4″x90″ strip if your fabric piece is long enough.

I wanted my apron to have a rounded bottom because I thought that would give it a more vintage feel. Since I'm not confident in my free-hand abilities, I used a large, round serving platter as a template and traced an arc to round the two bottom corners.

And then cut along both corners to make the apron shape.

Next I ironed about 1/2″ around my apron piece and both waistband pieces so I could finish the edges more easily.

Then I went ahead and finished the edges. Do three out of four edges on the waistband pieces–leave one 4″ side alone on both because they will be joined together there later. Leave the top 26″ side alone on the apron piece because it will be joined to the waistband later.

After all the edges are finished, it's time to join the two waistband pieces together along the unfinished 4″ side of both. Sew them together with the wrong sides facing out, and then iron the seams down in the back.

With both pieces of your apron finished, you can now join them together. Pin the edge of the waistband to the ironed (but unfinished) edge at the top of the apron piece with wrong sides facing out, and stitch ‘em down!

Now you may think we're done, but, well, you're wrong. I mean, what's an apron without ruffles?? To make my ruffles, I cut another long strip of fabric that was about twice as long as the distance around the bottom of my apron (arc length? circumference? perimeter? I don't do geometry…) and about 3″ wide. You may want to cut your strip longer because my apron did not turn out ruffly enough for my liking!

About the Author

Karisa Tell is an Editor for AllFreeSewing.com

Quilting is like fitting together pieces in a puzzle
Colorful fabric scraps ... the hum of sewing machines ... the laughter and camaraderie that comes when a group of women get together over a shared interest. Quilting bees historically have served women well, as social support systems and creative outlets.

Iron Sew

• Patch Iron Sew

Tagged with: iron sew