Reversible Apron Tutorial

This easy apron is a true basic. With or without ruffles and fancies, this apron is sure to please. It was quick, too. It should take less than 2 hours to finish this project.

I made this one for one of the daughters :) <3

I don’t have patterns, just figure it out as I go. This one is loosely adapted from McCalls 5284 Misses'Aprons .

Supplies:

1 m of fabric, 42"- 45" wide

1/2 m if using a contrasting color, approx

thread to match

pre-made ruffle or make it yourself

embellishments (buttons, rickrack, etc)

Cut your pieces of fabric:

Cut 2: ruffles 7" x 45". I used a 90” length of pre-made ruffle.

Cut 2: neck ties 3" x 26" (or to length)

Cut 2: waist ties 3" x 30" (or longer)

Cut 4: pockets 12" x 12"

Cut 2: body 21" x 24"

   Measurements of apron body:

   The bib is 10" across the top.  

   The waistline is 9" down from the top.

   From side to side, width of apron is 21".

   From top of bib to bottom, height of apron is 24".

   Curve the underarm and bottom as you wish.

3/8" seam allowance

Ruffles: 

Right Sides Together (RST) sew ruffle pieces together at the short ends: total piece size = 7" x 90". Press seam open.

With right side showing, fold ruffle in half, press.
Baste across raw edge at 5/8" and baste again at 1/2".
Edgestitch the folded edge of ruffle to keep its shape.
Gather the basted raw edge as desired.

Waist and Neck Ties: 

RST, fold neck and waist ties in half lengthwise, press.

Sew two sides, leaving an end open. Cut corners. Invert ties thru the end opening. *Stick a pencil into the opening making sure to "poke" the corners until they are pointed. Press.

Edgestitch three sides of ties. The raw edges of the ties will be inserted into the apron body.

Apron Body:

RST, sew apron together at both underarm curves.  Press seam flat.

Fold over 5/8" on all other raw edges and press. Match up the front and back apron bodies when you iron the raw edges so they match up. Turn right side out. 

Pockets:
Make two pockets, one for each side. 

** Now would be time to add embellishments to the pocket(s) or pocket front(s) before they are sewn on. (Buttons, rickrack, etc.)

RST, pin one of each pocket fabric together. Sew almost all the way around, leaving about a 2" gap. Cut corners. Invert pocket thru the gap. *Stick a pencil inside pocket and make the corners pointed. Press. 

Center pocket on the front of apron body in desired location, slightly lower than the waistline, and pin.

Topstitch three sides of pocket to apron front. Do not sew the top of the pocket! 

Center other pocket on other apron front, matching it up with pocket on the other side that you just sewed. Pin. Topstitch on three sides.

Finishing:

Insert waist ties at waist sides of apron. Pin in place, between the layers.

Pin ruffle between waist ties, around the bottom of the apron, allowing a little extra ruffle at ends. Bring the raw edge of ruffle into the seam, curving it gently. Pin. Sew.

** Variation: "sandwich" ric rac between front and back aprons instead of ruffles.**

Pin neck ties at neck of apron. If ties are too long, cut to length and pin again.

Pin ruffle between neck ties, allowing a little extra ruffle at ends. Bring the raw edge of ruffle into the seam, curving it gently. Pin in place.

Sew across the top of the bib, making sure the neck ties and ruffle have been sandwiched between the front and back apron bodies.

The "John Deere" apron (in the photo) is cut smaller than the pattern.

I made the bib 8 1/2" wide, and the waist 8" lower than the top.

The width was 18 1/2", and 21" bib to bottom.

This smaller apron fits a petite woman or a 'tween very nicely. Size 5 and under.

The original pattern fits most adults.

Variations:

Plain John BBQ Apron (not Jane, as this apron w/o ruffles would look more "man-ish"): Do not cut curve into bottom hem, leave square. Omit ruffle on bottom hem and between neck ties.

Not Reversible Apron:

You should only need 1m of fabric. Only cut 1 body piece and 2 pockets pieces. When hemming all sides, fold over 1/4", press. Fold over 1/4" again and press. Stitch. Or you could use bias tape to finish the raw edges.

Get creative! Try different pockets, trims, etc!

I Love Dem Aprons! By Auntie Dem...