Apron from Scratch

Aprons have been on my project list for a couple of years! After sorting through my stash last December, I renewed my resolve to make a set of aprons using border prints I’ve kept in my dragon hoard.

I like the idea of border prints, they’re usually adorable and I’ve seen beautiful dresses made with them. My problem was finding a proper pattern for them while avoiding gathers, because I know I could just make a skirt from rectangles and gather it at the waist, but it just isn’t my style anymore.

So, aprons! I made some sketches to figure out how to draft the pattern and how to assemble it. I was focused on simplicity and utility, but I think it turned out pretty cute, too!

Drafting the pattern was simple. I used my bust span (apex to apex on the bust, divided by two) plus 1″ for the top width. I measured down to the waist and marked it along the Center Front. Then I squared out a line equal to half my waist measurement and squared down for the remainder of the length. Finally, I connected the waist to the top of the apron with an angled line.

I made about 144″ of bias tape (1/2″ wide when finished) for the ties. They’re technically not cut on the bias, as I didn’t need the extra stretch to navigate any rounded edges. I like making bias tape the slow way – by folding and pressing and repeating.

The top and sides are finished with a small double-fold hem. Bias tape finishes the angled side and forms the tie – all in one stitch! I attached the center of the bias tape length to the center of the angled sides, folded it over and stitched close to the edge along the entire bias strip.

I added a small pocket on the chest and a large pocket a couple inches below the waist. The large pocket is divided down the middle so it doesn’t hang open or swallow up objects.

The gray “Cotton+Steel Garden” border print features cats, birds, and flowers. I took care not to repeat the same parts of the pattern in the pockets and used them to highlight the different creatures instead. I left the selvage on the bottom (and didn’t hem it) because it was so pretty!