I love baking and I love sewing, so some of my very favorite things to sew are aprons. I have several apron patterns that I love, but this is the one that I make most often. It’s a cute, ruffled, flirty apron!
And believe me, you can make it in any fabric combo! (I have about 10 of these.)
Apron Patterns: Cute Apron Tutorial
Supplies Needed:
- About 3/4 yard of your main fabric
- About 3/4 yard for the fabric on the back
- About 1 yard of fabric for the ruffle and straps
Instructions:
To start out you are going to cut out your main pieces. The basic shape should look like this:
The dimensions are:
- 25″ long from top to bottom
- 11″ across the top (so with your fabric folded in half as shown above, measure 5.5″)
- 22″ across the widest point (again, you are measuring half of that since your fabric is folded, so 11″) and then just curve around to reach the bottom matching the shape above
To make the straps you need to cut 2 pieces of fabric that are about 4 inches wide and that are 45″ long. I do this is the same fabric that I am doing my ruffle in, so in this case it was the red and white polka dot.
Folding the straps so that right sides are together, sew the length of your straps and turn them and then press them nice and flat. I like to make the ends angled just to add a little flair:
For the neck strap you need a piece that is 4″ wide by 22″ long. Fold it with right sides together, stitch the length of it and turn it. Then press it flat.
For the ruffle, cut out 2 strips that are 45″ long and about 7-8 inches wide. To make this long enough to create your ruffle, you need to sew these to strips together in the middle so that you end up with a piece that is about 90″ long. You won’t use the whole thing, but you will use a lot of it.
So, sew it together in the middle:
Then fold over one end and stitch it so that you have a nice little hem:
And then fold it in half with right sides out and press it nice and flat.
Now, put your 2 pieces of apron together with right sides touching.
Get your straps in place. They need to be tucked inside the apron about 1 inch below the bottom of the arm pit-where the apron reaches a point and begins to turn into the curve.
Make sure the side straps are at least 1 inch down from the corner (see below).
For the neck straps put them at the top just about 1/2 inch in from the edge of your apron on either side. Pin them in place.
Now you get to make your ruffle. Make sure your main fabric is on top. Working from the spot where you just put your side strap and making sure to put your ruffle piece in FRONT of your strap, start with the hemmed side. Lift your top fabric out of your way just a little so that you can work and get everything in place: (raw edge of the ruffle is out)
begin to make little pleats like this:
and pin them in place as you go, sandwiching it between your 2 main fabrics:
Do them about every 1-2 inches. You can measure if you are a perfectionist. I just eyeball it. They should look something like this from the side. Stick a pin in each pleat all the way around the apron.
Do that all the way around to the other side.
When you get to the other side and can see where you are going to end, you will need to cut off your ruffle fabric and hem that end in the appropriate place BEFORE making your final pleat.
Once you have your apron ruffle pinned all the way around, sew your apron. Start at one of the armpit spots and sew all the way around but leave a small opening (about 4 inches) to turn it.
Turn the apron and pull out the straps and ruffle and get everything nice and smooth.
Press it flat, fold the edges of your opening in and top stitch the opening closed. Then go bake something GREAT!
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Dave says
I love thi tutorial! Ive made five! Two for presents and three for myself. Puts a whole new pleasure into housework! My wife will often say as she goes off to her job, “no more aprons!” Lol
Jamie hatfield says
i made a variation of this! Very doable for an amateur . i wasn’t sure how far down to start the curves and end them, so I used 1/3 length for top and 2/3 for the skirt then did double ruffles!
I don’t see a away to attach photos though
Amber says
Sounds so cute!
Joyce says
Are there directions for the ruffle on the pink/white polka dot apron that is pictured (with the bow)? TIA Am getting ready to cut out the blue one today!!
Amber says
Not sure what you mean? This is a tutorial for that.
Julie Brown says
This is great how ever wheres the pattern to make the apron? You know to print out and trace out and cut? Also could you show the back on this pattern please thanks.
Amber says
Nope, sorry. Just the dimensions to cut.
sara says
I love that purple one! I am going to attempt the cute santa one! 🙂
Kathy says
Love this apron pattern. It is so cute. Hope to make several.
Joanne says
It;s a wonderful apron !!! Love it and i’ll try to make it 🙂 thanks for sharing it.
Theresa says
Thanks for the great pattern. I have linked to it on my blog – http://alittlebirdmademe.wordpress.com/2013/07/05/27-free-tutorials-and-patterns-for-aprons/
Erica says
How long did this take to make?
Amber says
An hour or two.
Diane says
Sorry! I found/figured out the back straps!
Making my apron today for a late Valentine’s Day gift!
Thanks,
Diane
Diane says
Very cute with the ruffles! But how do you tie it closed in the back?
I’m missing something. ?
Violets Silver Lining says
So cute! Can’t wait to make one some time! 😀
Lily says
Super cute, Love this apron!
♥ http://personalisedaprons.org
Cheryl @ Sew Can Do says
Really pretty – the curve & ruffle are so cute. Thanks for linking to Craftastic Monday at Sew Can Do:)
Brittany @ My Decoupaged Life says
I LOVE this apron! I have a ton of patriotic fabric sitting around that I had no idea what to do with. This is a great tutorial.
Just so you know, I featured you on today’s Show Off Saturday!
http://www.mydecoupagedlife.com/2012/06/show-off-saturday-fourth-of-july.html
Christine says
Such a GORGEOUS apron!! Can you make me a Canada Day one? 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing at The DIY Dreamer… From Dream To Reality! I can’t wait to see what you link up this evening! 🙂
Marilyn Clark says
This apron is so cute…LOVE it!
suzyhomemaker says
I love aprons. I would love to sew my own someday. Right now I mostly have vintage hand-me-downs, which I love as well.
I am hosting a Patriotic party as well if you would like another place to link up.
http://www.suzyhomemaker.net/2012/05/lets-party-like-its-1776.html
Aimee - ItsOverflowing.com says
SUPER CUTE! Crossing my fingers you’ll share at my party! Saturdays at Seven!
XO, Aimee
The Bold Abode says
Super cute apron~ Love it, yo.
Vanina says
LOVE the fabric!
Hilary says
I love the fabric you used! Super cute!
Michelle@ Learning to Be a Mom says
I love the ruffle. It turned out so cute.
Liz says
I LOVE aprons, so I have to make this! Thanks for sharing!! Liz
Lindy@Itsy Bitsy Paper says
This is great! I love aprons. I hope you will link up to my Patriotic Project Parade Party!
http://www.itsybitsypaperblog.com/2012/06/patriotic-project-parade-linky-party.html
Heather says
This is adorable and I love the pleated ruffle. I’ll just be happy if I get any apron made. You were ambitious to make one just for the 4th…great job!