practically perfect -to me- apron tutorial

Welcome to day two of our week of apron inspiration.  

If you missed Jess's apron tutorial yesturday, you can check it out HERE. 

I love my new apron.   

I knew what I wanted in an apron and tried to create something that met my requirements. 

I wanted something sturdy with an adjustable neck strap. I have a few flimsy vintage aprons and although they are cute, I never use them. 

Once the practical side was satisfied, I knew I wanted something that matched my kitchen, had a ruffle and was high waisted with a tie in the front.

It's practical, pretty and perfect for me.

what you'll need:

-1 yard of body fabric

-1/2 to 1 yard of accent fabric depending on the width of the fabric.

-2 - 1" D rings

-matching thread

Let's talk about fabric for a moment.

My favorite kind of fabric for aprons is a medium weight canvas fabric. 

It's sturdy and doesn't need a lining. 

It's also super affordable. I found these great canvas prints for under $6 a yard. Although this canvas fabric is made for home decor, it also works well for tote bags and aprons. The fabric I used was on clearance for $2 a yard. SCORE!

Fabric.com has a great selection of canvas prints for just under $7 a yard, look HERE. 

Step 1: cutting out body of apron

First I cut main fabric to a 30 x 30 square.

Then I used an old apron to draw my slope at the sides. 

Since I wanted it to be umpire waist I had to adjust wear the slope started and stopped.

With the fabric fold in half I started my slope 4.25" in and it ended 8.5" down from the top.

After drawing your slope, cut it out. 

I used the scrap to cut a 2" x 8.5" strip.  Set the strip aside to be used later. *Sorry I forgot to put it in the picture.

Then I serged all the edges and hemmed the sides. A zig-zag or double folding the edges will work as well. The top and bottom will be finished later.

Step 2: cutting accent fabric pieces.

I cut several strips of fabric.

4 strips - 3" X 46"- for the ties

2 strips - 3" x 30"-for the waistband

1 strip - 3" x 4"-for the strap

1 strip - 3" x 24"- for the strap

1 strip - 4" X 60" - for ruffle at the bottom

(you may have to combine a couple peices to get the 60"length)

Step 3: Sewing the waistband and ties. 

First I placed two of the 4" x 46" strips right sides together and cut the end at an angle. I sewed them together, turned them right sides out and top-stitched around the edges. I repeated with the other 46"strips. These were my ties. 

Then, I sewed the 3" x 30" strips right sides together and flipped them right side out. This was my waistband.
If you need a good tutorial on turning a fabric tube right side out HERE is a good one. 

Next, I sewed the ties to each end of the waistband to make a really long strip. I serged the raw edges. 

I took the waistband with the ties attached at the sides and centered it on the apron body. I pinned it down. 

The waistband should line up with the top of the sides. 

Next, I sewed it down going across the top and bottom and along the sides. 

Make sure when you sew down the sides you catch the raw edges of the seams between the waistband and ties.

Step 4: sewing the ruffle. 

 For the ruffle, I serged around all the edges and hemmed the bottom and sides of my 4" x 60" strip. 

I gathered the ruffle till it was an equal length to the bottom of the apron (a little less than 30")

If you need a tutorial for gathering or making ruffles you can find one HERE and HERE. 

Next, I pinned the ruffle to the bottom of the apron, right sides together.  

Then, I topstitched the ruffle to hold my seam up.  

Step 5: sewing and attaching the neck straps

I Folded the 3" x 24" strap in half lengthwise sewed down the side, turned it right side out and top stitched. 

Then I Repeated with the 3"x4" strap. I double folded and sewed one end of the 24" strap, for a finished look. 

I grabbed the 2" x 8.5"piece of main fabric, and serged all four sides. Next, I folded in and sewed the sides. Then I ironed a 1/2" fold on the bottom. 

I folded the 4" strap piece around the two D rings and...

pinned it on one side of the apron top and the 24" strap piece to the other side of the apron top. 

I sewed over the straps with a 1/4" seam

Then I centered the extra main fabric piece over the straps, right sides together, and pinned it in place. 

I sewed over the top with a 1/2"seam.

Now I  flipped over the flap so the wrong sides would be touching and the straps were straight up. 

You can iron the seam open and the flap down on the back. 

The last thing I did was topstitch the top and bottom of the flap to hold it in place. 

See, that wasn't bad. 

I'm ready to bake my baby's birthday cake. Her birthday is this week. You'll have to check back next week to see what kind I make.