We know Sew4Home is all about home dec sewing, but every once in a while, we like to branch out. Besides, we were a little afraid our cool Patio Party table linens were stealing all the glory. I hate it when the placemats look better than me! Aprons are always popular because they are so fun and easy to make. Try this cute little number, and show off your own party style.
This half apron is very simple, and the result is fantastic! Our thanks to American Patchwork & Quilting® for the use of their pattern.
Our sample originally used fabric from Heather Bailey’s Freshcut collection. Pick your favorite quilting cottons and get ready for a groovy patio party of your own.
Sewing Tools You Need
- Sewing machine and standard presser foot
Fabric and Other Supplies
- ½ yard of 44″+ wide fabric for the body of the apron and the pocket: ½ yard of 45″ wide fabric: we originally used Heather Bailey’s Freshcut in Groovy-orange/green
- ½ yard of 44″+ wide fabric for the apron waistband, side ties, bottom hem band, and top pocket band: we originally used Heather Bailey’s Freshcut in Dotted Paisley-green
- All purpose thread to match fabric
- See-through ruler
- Fabric pen or pencil
- Iron and ironing board
- Scissors and/or rotary cutter and mat
- Seam gauge
- Seam ripper
- Straight pins
Getting Started
- Download and print out the base apron pattern courtesy of American Patchwork & Quilting®. For more free patterns, go to allpeoplequilt.com.
- Cut out all six pattern pieces around drawn lines. Tape all six pattern pieces together along dotted lines as diagram indicates, and cut around outside edge.
- From the fabric you are using for the body of the apron, cut a rectangle 18″ high x 34″ wide.
- Fold this rectangle in half widthwise, right sides together, lining up the raw side edges. Pin the apron pattern through both layers of the fabric, making sure to line up the center front fold line on the apron pattern with the fold line of the fabric.
- With the remaining fabric from the apron body, cut ONE 5″ high x 6½” wide rectangle for the pocket.
- From the fabric you are using for the Bottom Band, Side Ties, Waistband, and Pocket Band, cut the following for rectangles:
ONE Bottom Band: 33¼”wide x 3″ high
TWO Side Ties: 30″ wide x 3¼” high
ONE Waistband: 25¾” wide x 3¼” high
ONE Pocket Band: 6½” wide x 4″ high
At Your Sewing Machine & Ironing Board
- Following the marks on the pattern, on the right side of the fabric, fold and pin closed the open darts/pleats along the top, then sew the pleats shut with an edgestitch horizontally across the raw end.
- Still on the right side of the fabric, lightly press the pleats from the top raw edge to about 2″ below it.
- Pin the bottom band to the bottom edge of the apron, lining up the raw edges along the bottom and on the sides, and sew together with a ¼” seam allowance.
- Press the bottom band downward, pressing the seam allowance down as well. Edgestitch through the Bottom Band and the seam allowance.
- Along both sides of the apron and the raw edge of the bottom band, turn under the right side of the fabric ¼”, and then another ¼” and press. Edgestitch along the folded edges, creating a simple ¼” double-turn hem on all three edges. For more info about hemming read, How to Make a Simple Hem.
- Pin one end of a side-tie piece to one end of the waistband piece, and sew ½” seam. Repeat for other side-tie piece on opposite end of the waistband to make one long side-ties/ waistband strip. Press both of these seam allowances open.
- Turn back each end of the ties ½”. Then, along one long raw edge, fold back the fabric ½”. You should end up with a nice right angle corner at the end of each tie.
- Pin the side-ties/ waistband strip to the top of the apron, right sides together, aligning the raw edges. Be sure to match up the side-ties/ waistband seams with the finished sides of the apron. Sew a ¼” seam along the top raw edge. You are sewing across the waistband section only. Start and stop your stitching at the waist tie seams.
- Press the waistband and its seam allowance up – away from apron’s skirt, then continue turning under ¼”and pressing along the bottom raw edges of both side-ties.
- Fold the waistband down and around to the back of the apron so the top ½” pressed edge covers the previous seam allowance and so the two pressed edges of the side-ties line up.
- Flip over the apron over so it is now right side up. Starting at one end of the side-ties, sew a continuous edgestitch down the end of one side-tie, then along the bottom edge of that tie, across the bottom of the waistband, along the bottom of the opposite side-tie, and finally up the end of that final tie. Remember to stop with your needle in the down position when you come to a corner, raise your presser foot, pivot 90˚, lower the presser foot, and continue stitching.
- To make the pocket, pin the pocket band piece to the top edge of the pocket piece, and sew a ½” seam allowance.
- Press the the band and its seam allowance up – away from the main pocket. Press flat.
- Turn back the right side of the fabric ½” along all four edges.
- Fold down the pocket band to the backside of the Pocket, making sure to cover the seam allowance. Press.
- Flip over sewn pocket, and edgestitch along the bottom edge of the band.
- Pin the finished pocket to the body of the apron. It should sit 2¼” below the bottom of the waistband, and the inside edge of the pocket sits 1″ beyond the pressed pleat edge, which means you are overlaying the pocket across one pleat. You can place the pocket on either the left or right side, depending on your preference.
- Edgestitch along both sides and the bottom edge of the pocket, pivoting at the bottom corners. As with most pockets, we recommend a backstitch at the start/stop points of the pocket’s upper corners. These are stress points for any pocket and it helps to make sure they are extra tough.
Hints and Tips
If you are a more experienced sewer, you can follow the dart shape on the apron pattern to sew two front darts in the apron instead of making pleats.
Since we are sewing a straight waistband to a curved edge on the top of the apron, you may find it helpful to pin the waistband in place after folding it in half and pressing (Step 10 above), and before sewing the edgestitch (Step 11 above). By pinning first, you can ease the straight line to fit the curve. Just make sure the edgestitch along the front of the waistband’s bottom edge catches the bottom edge of the back of the waistband – since you won’t be able to see that when you sew.
If you have excess fabric, you can make two pockets and put one on each side.
Project Design: Alicia Thommas
Sample Creation & Instructions: Gregory Dickson
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