8 a mostly vintage apron tutorial.

3.08.2010

In need of an easy sewing project?  I've had several of my friends by sewing machines in the past few weeks, and I think this is the perfect project to get them started.

Want to make a mostly vintage apron?  You don't even need vintage fabrics.  New ones will work just as well, although then you can't call it "mostly vintage".


You will need:
1 yard medium weight cotton
1 yard lightweight cotton for lining
An applique design from a vintage placemat, table runner, pillowcase, etc. (or any other applique design you like).* optional--you do not need to add an applique if you don't want to and/or don't feel ready to sew one on yet. 
Coordinating thread



1.  Cut out your fabrics.  Follow the cutting diagram for your front fabric.  
The 24" x 27" piece is for the front of your apron.  The 4" x 27" piece will be your waistband, and the two 4" x the width of your fabric pieces will be your ties.  The 7" x 7" piece is for the pocket.

Now cut your lining fabrics.  Cut a 24" long by 27" wide piece for your apron lining and a 7" x 7" piece for your pocket lining.






2.  Carefully cut out your applique designs.  I used two different applique pieces for my apron.












3.  Place your applique design(s) on your apron where you want them.  Since we will be taking in each side by 1", the top by 1/2" and the bottom by 3", make sure your designs are within those smaller dimensions.  Pin your applique well so that it won't move or bunch when you try to sew it onto your fabric.






If you want to place an applique on your pocket, make sure to allow 1/2" from each edge to allow for the seam allowance.
4.  Sew on your applique.  Make sure to sew around all of the edges so it is secure.










Sewn and secure.














5.  To finish your pocket, place 7" x 7" front and lining fabrics with right sides together and pin.












6.  Using a 1/4 seam allowance, sew around all sides, leaving a small opening on the bottom for turning.












7.  Clip corners to decrease bulk.














8.  Turn right side out and press.















9.  Topstitch using a 1/4" seam allowance along the top of your pocket.












10.  Pin your pocket to your front apron fabric.  I placed mine 4" from the top and 4" from the right side of the edge.















11.  Sew your pocket onto your apron along the sides and bottom edges using a 1/4" seam allowance.















Your apron is coming together!












12.  Place your front apron fabric right side down on a flat surface.  Place your lining fabric on top of it facing right side up.  Make sure your edges are all aligned and smooth out any creases.













13.  Fold and pin the right and left edges of your fabrics over 1/2" towards the lining fabric along the entire edge.  Press the seams.  Remove pins.





















14.  Fold the right and left edges over an additional 1/2" to hide the raw edges and pin.  Press the seams.






















15.  Sew along the right and left seams using a 1/4" seam allowance.
















16.  Fold the bottom edge over 1 1/2" and pin.  Press your seam and remove pins.
















17.  Fold over bottom edge an additional 1 1/2" to hide raw edge.  Pin and press seam.















18.  Sew using a 1 1/4" seam allowance.

















19.  Pin one of your tie strips (the long ones) to your 4" x 27" waistband fabric  right sides together along the short edge.  Sew using a 1" seam allowance and press seams open.  Attach your other tie strip to the other end of your waistband in the same way.  

When complete, your waistband should be centered within your tie strips which are sewn on each short edge and the right sides of all three strips should all face up at the same time. 




20.  Line up your waistband seams with the edges of the top of your apron.  Pin waistband and apron right sides together along the top edge.














21.  Sew along the top edge of your waistband (stopping and backstitching at each waistband seam) using a 1/2" seam allowance.














22.  Press seam to the waistband side.

















23.  Fold and pin tie edges to the back side 1/2" along the entire length of the ties.  Repeat along the top edge of the ties and waistband.  Press seams down.














23.  Fold waistband and ties in half along the entire length to hide raw edges.  Pin together and press.















24.  At the end of each tie, fold the edges in to hide the seams at a diagonal, pin and press.















25.  Sew along open edges using a 1/4" seam allowance.



















Your apron is finished!  Now go bake something to break it in!


I hope you enjoyed the mostly vintage apron tutorial!  As always, if you have any questions, email me or leave them in the comments.  Happy sewing!

8 comments:

  1. Thanks for all the detailed instructions and pictures! That is so helpful! I will be referring back to this. I love the apron you made. I just posted today about my machine if you want to see a picture. You can probably tell me more about it than I can tell you. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. As soon as I get a sewing machine, I'm going to make this!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great tutorial! I need to take a cue from your precise fabric cutting plan. I cut from everywhere and anywhere and end up with unusable pieces :(

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is so pretty! Thanks so much for adding it to the One Pretty Thing Flickr pool. I'll be linking in Sunday's Weekend Roundup.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Awesome tutorial! I just made this as a wedding shower gift and it turned out GREAT! And since I have zero sewing skills that's saying a lot for your wonderful instructions.

    ReplyDelete
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