1-Yard Apron Tutorial
At long last, dear readers! Here it is! I’ve been putting this off, and putting it off, and getting distracted, and putting it off some more. I really wanted to have example photos, but that’s not looking likely with my end of the year schedule, so you get some written instructions instead. Please comment with any questions or concerns, and feel free to tag me on social medias if you use this pattern and tutorial!
Step One: Pocket
Once you have everything cut out, take up your 8” by 12” pocket piece. On the two 12” long sides, use your iron to press the raw edge inward by a quarter of an inch. Press the folded edge in by another quarter inch so that the raw edge is tucked out of the way. If you’re hand-sewing this, you can use a whip-stitch or a backstitch to secure these edges. If you’re using a machine, do one long line of stitching along the folded edge. Take your time with this as it can be finicky.
With those secure, fold the top and bottom in by half an inch and press. Fold in another half inch and press. Use the technique you used to finish the long edge of the pocket. With that, your pocket is done! Set it aside in a safe place until you’re ready to attach it to the apron skirt.
Step Two: Waistband
Due to fabric restrictions that I put on myself, the waistband had to be cut in two pieces. To get one complete waistband piece, pin the pieces together along one short end and sew with a half inch seam allowance. You can do this with a machine, or a sturdy backstitch by hand. That’s the waistband! Told you this wouldn’t be too difficult!
For an extra step to make your life a little easier in a step or two, press one long end up by half an inch.
Step Three: Skirt
In this step, we’ll be finishing three out of the four edges of the apron skirt. On the two 36” long edges, press the raw edges in by a quarter of an inch. Press again by the same amount so that the raw edge is folded under. Finish this edge in the same manner that you finished your pocket. For your hem, press the bottom raw edge up by half an inch, and press again to get that raw edge out of the way. Finish this like you’ve been finishing everything else, or do it by hand with a whip-stitch to hide your hem.
Mark the center front of your apron with a pin or a pencil mark. You can also use a heat-erasing pen for this if you have one. This center front mark is going to line up with the center front of our waistband. I’m going to give you instructions on how to gather your apron, but you can also pleat it or smock it.
About a quarter inch away from the top raw edge, use a running stitch to go all the way across the top of your apron. You’ll want to use a strong, unwaxed thread for this so that it doesn’t break. Don’t knot off your thread at either end - leave a long tail at both ends. Hold one of your thread tails firmly in your left hand. Pull gently on the other end of the thread with your right hand. This should begin to gather your fabric. You can gather your fabric down to half your waist measurement, three-quarters of your waist measurement, or half plus two inches on either side, etc. That’s up to you! Just make sure your gathers are nice and even.
You can also gather entirely by machine. With a long stitch length, sew a line a quarter of an inch down from the raw edge. Don’t backstitch and leave your tails long. Stitch another line a quarter of an inch down from the first. Like before, hold one side of your tails firmly while pulling gently on the other. I prefer to gather by hand, but going by machine is faster.
Step Four: Waistband to Skirt
Line up your center front markings. You should have marked center front on your apron skirt, and the center front mark on the waistband is the seam. If you pressed in one side of your waistband earlier, pin your waistband to your skirt on the unfolded side. Pin here first (right sides together)and then work your way out to the ends of the skirt. Sew this by machine or with a backstitch by hand.
On your ironing table, lay your skirt down with the skirt coming towards your and your waistband farther away from you. Press your waistband and your seam allowance flat and away from you. On the side of your waistband that you sewed to your skirt, there will be excess length with raw edges. Press these up by half an inch. Fold your waistband in half, matching folded edge to folded edge. Where the waistband is connected to the skirt, pin the folded edge just under the seam.
With the waistband pinned together and all the raw edges tucked away, you have a couple options. You can topstitch everything together by machine. Be sure to catch the folded edge of the waistband to secure it to the skirt. You can go by hand and whip-stitch everything together. You can also use a slip-stitch. To finish the two short ends, flip them inside by about half an inch and close them in the same manner you closed the rest of the waistband.
Step Five: Pocket to Skirt
Try on your lovely new apron to see where you want the pocket to be. Pin it into place there. You can stitch it on by machine or use a whip-stitch or slip stitch.
And that’s it! You have a brand new apron ready for housework or a costume! I hope this was helpful and informative. Like I said above, don’t hesitate to show off your makes and tag me on social media! Until next time, dear reader.
Sincerely,
Madeline
