How to Sew an Apron

Aprons are essential for keeping your clothes clean while working in the kitchen or doing housework, but they can be expensive! Making your own apron is easy as long as you have some basic sewing skills and a sewing machine. Buy, download, or create a pattern, choose the fabric you want to use, and get started!

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Cutting Your Fabric

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Aprons are usually made from a durable, washable fabric. Opt for natural material, such as cotton, but make sure to choose a fabric that is heavy enough to protect your clothing from any food or grease that may splatter onto it.^{[1]XResearch source}
Tip: Go with a festive print fabric to make a seasonal apron, such as a red and green patterned fabric for a Christmas apron or a pastel-colored fabric for a spring baking apron.
Purchase an apron pattern in a craft supply store. If you don't want to buy a pattern, find a free apron pattern online to download and print. To create a pattern, fold an apron in half lengthwise and place it on top of a large piece of paper. Then, trace around the outside of the apron to create a pattern for the body of the apron. Add an additional 0.5 in (1.3 cm) around the non-fold adjacent edges of the apron body for seam allowance.^{[2]XResearch source}
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3
Measure the straps and draw them on the pattern paper. Measure the length and width of the strap that goes around the neck. Do the same for the ties at the waist of the apron. Then, draw a rectangle that is twice the width and half the length of each of the straps plus 1 in (2.5 cm) to both measurements for seam allowance. Make a separate pattern for the neck strap and the waist straps.^{[3]XResearch source}
- For example, if the waist straps on the apron that you are using as your example are 20 by 2 in (50.8 by 5.1 cm), then your rectangle would need to be 10 by 4 in (25 by 10 cm) plus 1 in (2.5 cm) seam allowance, so 11 by 5 in (28 by 13 cm).
- Only make 1 waist strap pattern and cut it out 2 times to get 2 waist tie pieces.
4
Fold your fabric in half and pin the pattern pieces on the fabric. Fold the fabric in half lengthwise and smooth it out to make sure that there are no lumps or bumps. Place the body pattern piece so that the long straight edge is against the fold. Place the strap pieces so that 1 of the short ends is on the fold. Insert pins through the pattern piece and fabric. Place 1 pin every 2 to 3 in (5.1 to 7.6 cm) going all the way around the edges.^{[4]XResearch source}
- Pinning your pattern on the fold saves you the trouble of cutting out 2 pieces for each part of the apron and sewing them together again.
5
Cut along the edges of the paper pattern pieces. Use a sharp pair of fabric scissors to cut out the fabric pieces for your apron. Do not cut along the fold! Cut out 1 body piece, 2 waist straps, and 1 neck strap. Cut out 2 waist strap pieces using the waist pattern piece you made.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Make sure to use a pair of sharp fabric scissors to cut out your pieces and be careful not to create any jagged edges as you cut.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Hemming the Apron Pieces

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1
Fold the strap pieces in half lengthwise with the right (front) sides facing. Open up one of the strap pieces to its full length. Then, fold the piece in half lengthwise to line up the raw edges on the long sides of the strap pieces. Make sure that the right (front or print) sides of the fabric are facing each other and only the wrong (back or non-print) sides are visible. Place a pin every 2 to 3 in (5.1 to 7.6 cm) to secure the folded fabric.^{[6]XResearch source}
- Repeat this for each of the strap pieces.
Tip: Iron the fabric pieces before you sew them together for an extra-crisp apron!
2
Sew along the raw edges of the straps leaving a 3 in (7.6 cm) opening. Set your sewing machine to the straight stitch setting and begin sewing along the edges of one of the straps. Position the needle so that it is 0.5 in (1.3 cm) from the raw edges of the fabric. When you reach the center of the long edge, stop sewing and cut the thread. Then, resume sewing about 3 in (7.6 cm) from this position.^{[7]XResearch source}
- This opening is required to invert the strap fabric through, so make sure that you include it!
- Remove the pins as you sew! Otherwise, you may damage your sewing machine.
3
Invert the straps and push out the corners. Use your fingers to turn the strap right-side out. Then, take the pencil that you used to draw the pattern. Push the pencil eraser-first into the opening you left and push it into the corners of the straps.^{[8]XResearch source}
- Repeat this for the other 2 straps.
- The back end of a chopstick or the back of a capped pen will also work to push out the fabric at the corners.
4
Sew the opening closed and hem the edges of the straps. After you have finished inverting the straps, tuck the fabric under along the opening so that it is hidden and even with the rest of the seam. Place a couple of pins through the fabric to hold the opening closed. Then, sew a straight stitch all the way around the edges of the straps. Keep the stitch about 0.25 in (0.64 cm) from the edges of the straps.^{[9]XResearch source}
- This will close the opening you left and tack down the edges of the strap for a nice, neat look.
5
Hem the edges of the apron body. Fold over the fabric on the edges of the apron body piece by 0.5 in (1.3 cm). Make sure to fold the fabric over to the wrong side so that the raw edge will be hidden on the back of the apron. Insert pins every 2 to 3 in (5.1 to 7.6 cm) along the edges to hold the fabric in place. Then, sew a straight stitch about 0.25 in (0.64 cm) from the fold to secure the hem.^{[10]XResearch source}
- Make sure that you remove the pins as you sew. Do not sew over them or you may damage your machine!

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Sewing the Apron Pieces Together

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1
Pin the ends of the neck strap to the top edges of the apron. Place the end of the strap so that the right side will be facing out and then the seam will be hidden on the wrong side of the apron body. Make sure that the end of the strap overlaps the top edge of the apron by about 1.5 in (3.8 cm). Position the end of each strap so that the outer edge of the strap is parallel to and even with the outer edge of the apron.^{[11]XResearch source}
- Place a couple of pins through the fabric to secure the strap ends in place.
2
Sew a straight stitch in a square shape to secure the ends of the straps. Start sewing at the top most corner of the apron body to attach the first end of the neck strap. Position the needle so that it is about 0.25 in (0.64 cm) from the edge of the strap and apron body hem. Then, sew straight down by 1 in (2.5 cm). Turn the fabric 90 degrees and sew across the bottom edge of the strap. Repeat to sew a complete square through the end of the strap and the corner of the apron.^{[12]XResearch source}
- Repeat this for the other end of the neck strap.
3
Pin the ends of the apron ties to opposite edges of the apron body. Attach the waist straps so that they are horizontal and the long edge is parallel to the middle of the apron. Arrange the end of the strap with the right side facing out and the seam facing away from the front of the apron. Overlap the top edge of the apron by about 1.5 in (3.8 cm). Position the end of each strap with the outer edge parallel to the outer edge of the apron.^{[13]XResearch source}
- Repeat for the other strap.
- You may want to slip the apron over your neck to locate your waist before you pin the straps in place.
4
Sew in the shape of a square around the edges of each of the straps. Position the needle 0.25 in (0.64 cm) from the edge of the first waist strap and apron body hem. Then, sew a straight line 1 in (2.5 cm) over from your start point. Rotate the fabric 90 degrees and then sew a straight line down the bottom edge of the strap. Continue to rotate and sew until you have completed the square.^{[14]XResearch source}
- Repeat for the other waist strap on the opposite side.
After you have finished attaching your straps, cut the excess threads. Then, slip the neck strap over your head and try on your apron! Tie the waist straps behind your back to secure the apron.
Want a full set of custom-made kitchen gear? Try making a matching oven mitt or potholder to go with your apron!

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Question
What tips or techniques do you have for cutting fabric?
Kpoene Kofi-Bruce
Tailor
Kpoene Kofi-Bruce is a tailor, couture wedding gown designer, and the Creative Director of Mignonette Bridal and Ette the Wedding Tailor in Chicago, Illinois. With nearly two decades of experience as a wedding gown designer, small business owner, and vintage sewing enthusiast, Kpoene specializes in wedding gown design and the social history of wedding dresses. She received a BA in Creative Writing from Middlebury College and studied the business of fashion at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She is also a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10KSB program and the Chicago Fashion Incubator and has written about wedding fashion for Jezebel, Catalyst, the Sun Times, and XO Jane.
Kpoene Kofi-Bruce
Tailor
Expert Answer
Always know where your grain line is, make sure you have good sharp scissors, and utilize fabric weights or pins. For items like silk, satin or flimsy fabrics, making sure the fabric doesn’t shift as you cut it is crucial for the best results. Patience while cutting is also a must. You will quickly find that patience during this step equals great result!
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