How to Sew an Easy Apron
This sewing tutorial has been a long time coming! In fact, I’m surprised it’s taken me this long to create an apron tutorial because I’ve been making this same exact apron for literally decades. So, a little late, I know, but today I’m sharing with you how to sew a simple full apron for your kitchen (and it has pockets!)
My mom is really the one who deserves credit for this apron, since she’s the one who started making these many years ago. She’s made countless aprons for housewarming gifts, bridal shower gifts, and birthday/Christmas gifts. During my first year of marriage, she made me an apron for every holiday that came along that year. So I had cute aprons in holiday fabrics to wear for years to come! So cute and clever.
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This apron has a full bib, plus pockets, and you can decide to make ties that tie behind your back or go all the way around your waist and tie in the front. And the best part is that you don’t even need a pattern. I’ll show you how to draft and draw it right onto your fabric and cut out all the pieces.
I created a free comprehensive video tutorial for you for this project, but I’ve also made a printable PDF version for my pattern shop, so you can print out the instructions or keep them on your iPad for future reference. You can purchase that version here or on Etsy if you prefer.
Let’s get to it!
How to Sew an Easy Apron
First off, here’s the video tutorial! The video will you through the apron sewing process, step by step. First, how to draw the pattern and what size to cut your strap and pocket pieces, then how to sew on the patch pocket, hem all the sides, and how to sew and attach the straps.
I find myself wearing an apron not only in the kitchen for cooking, but also to clean in! It protects my clothes and it gives me somewhere to put the Legos and hair pins I pick up from the floor when vacuuming. That’s why for me, apron pockets are a must! And while I like the idea of vintage style aprons with gathers and ruffles, I feel a little silly wearing them. That’s why I’ve stuck firmly to this basic utility apron style. It has everything I need without being fussy. Plus, I can sew one up in under an hour.
What are the best fabrics for an apron?
You can make an apron out of several different fabrics, as long as you choose natural fibers. Polyesters won’t work for this project! Choose cottons or linens. Quilting cottons work just fine and are easy to find in those holiday prints. These fabrics also make these easy to personalize for gifts, since you can find sports team fabrics, coffee fabric, yoga fabric — anything the recipient is into, really.
Other great choices are denim, canvas, duck cloth and linen. The fabric in my peach apron is a heavy cotton fabric from Hobby Lobby’s current spring line. It’s so cute and the weight is perfect for an apron!
How much fabric do you need?
You can for sure squeeze an apron out of one yard of fabric, but I always buy 1.5 yards, just so I don’t have to squeeze. If you’re planning to enlarge the apron measurements at all, this will also ensure you have plenty of fabric to work with. Plus, you’ll have scraps, and who doesn’t love scraps??
What size person is this apron for?
This apron pattern is for an average size woman, but at the end of the video, I tell you how I would make the pattern work for a man, a plus size person, a tall person, and even for a child. Once you have the construction process down, you’ll be able to gauge how to resize the idea for various sizes of people.
Other things to note:
In the video, I used a couple tools that I know people will ask about. One is the measuring tape masking tape I used for marking the center of the pocket. It’s Scotch brand and I get it here on Amazon. Every time it appears in a video, I get questions about it and it is pretty cool, not to mention, useful.
The other is my Fasturn, which is an absolute must have in my sewing room! It makes turning tubes right side out soooo fast and easy. I’ve had mine for 20 years and it’s still in good condition. The things never break!
Lastly, don’t forget you can grab the printable version of this pattern! Stick it in your sewing binder and use it over and over :)
I hope you enjoy this apron project! It’s such a simple kitchen item to sew and makes such a great gift, so I’m happy to get this apron out into the world.
Cheers!
Nikki
