Learn how to make an apron that is beginner-friendly, simple, and quick to sew in under an hour. In this step-by-step tutorial, you’ll learn how to make a beautiful and practical reversible apron that will protect your clothing while in the kitchen.

As someone who loves spending time in the kitchen, I understand the frustration of getting oil or stains on my handmade garments. An apron getting dirty is much better than clothes I have spent hours sewing getting ruined!

This apron pattern is a fun afternoon sewing project to make, if you have kiddos, they may enjoy sewing this as a first project with you.

Handmade items like this apron make fantastic gifts! You could wrap a beautiful basket filled with homemade kitchen items like pot holders, drawstring bags, reusable paper towels, and some homemade natural all-purpose cleaner.

Makyla wearing a pink check reversible apron in her garden

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This blog post was originally posted on 21 January 2021, it has since been updated with more content and images.

Why You Will Love this Apron Pattern

  • Quick and easy to sew with the beginner-friendly sewing pattern.
  • This apron is customisable to your favourite patterns and colours.
  • Cheaper than buying a low-quality apron.
  • This apron is reversible!
Blue and yellow floral patterned reversible apron

Project Tips

  • Play with contrasting fabrics – experiment with contrasting fabrics for each side of the apron. Especially helpful when you can’t decide what fabric to go with!
  • Add functional pockets – Make your apron more functional by adding pockets to the front. This could just be a simple rectangle or square shape that is topstitched on. This detail adds charm and provides a convenient place to store small kitchen essentials.
  • Use contrasting fabrics for the ties – For fun, you could choose contrasting fabrics for the neck and waist ties.
Makyla wearing a pink gingham apron

Materials and Tools You’ll Need

Apron Video Tutorial

How to Sew an Apron Step-by-Step Tutorial

Step 1 – Print the pattern out
Download and print the PDF Apron Pattern. Assemble the pattern pieces and cut them out.

Step 2 – Cut out the apron
Lay your fabric on the fold, ensuring it’s smooth and wrinkle-free. Place the pattern pieces against the fabric fold and cut out the apron pieces as per the cut list below.

Cut out the following pieces:

  • Apron: Cut 2 (a pair)
  • Neckties: Cut 4 (2 pairs)
  • Waist ties: Cut 4 (2 pairs)
Cutting out the apron fabric

Step 3 – Start sewing the apron
Take the pairs of waist ties and pin them right sides together. Sew around the short side and both long sides, leaving one end open, using a 1cm seam allowance. Trim the corners on the closed end.

The apron waist ties and neckties right sides together
Corners trimmed off the neckties

Using a knitting needle or similar tool, turn the tie right side out and press it flat with an iron. Repeat these steps for the other waist tie and the neckties.

Turning the ties through with a knitting needle

Step 4 – Attach the ties to the apron
Pin the neckties at the top of the apron, aligning the right sides together (as marked on the pattern). Leave a 1cm gap from the side of the apron curve to the tie. Repeat this step for the other necktie.

Pin the waist ties to the apron as marked on the sewing pattern, leaving a 1cm gap above the ties.

Pinning the neckties to the main apron
Close up of the necktie on the right side. 1cm away from the edge.

Next, sew the ties in place with a few back and forward rows of stitching to secure them well.

Step 5 – Lining the apron
Place the other apron piece on top, aligning the right sides together. Pin all the way around the apron edges. Make sure the ties are not in the way of any seams!

Placing the right sides of the apron together before sewing around it.

Sew all the way around the outside of the apron with a 1cm seam allowance, leaving a 10cm gap in the bottom hem.

Push the apron through the hole to the right side, wiggling out the corners, and press it flat.

Turning the apron through to the right sides through the seam opening.

Edgestitch the hole closed.

Step 6 – Start baking with your new apron!
Here are some of my favourite recipes:

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any specific fabric recommendations for this project?

You can choose from a variety of fabrics such as cotton, linen, or even lightweight canvas. Look for fabrics that are easy to work with and thick or absorbent for spills or splashes.

What are some tips for achieving clean and professional-looking seams?

Take your time while sewing and use pins or clips to help hold the fabric in place. Press your seams with an iron after sewing to get crisp lines. Don’t forget that pressing your work can make a huge difference. It’s often overlooked, but shouldn’t be!

More Beginner Sewing Projects to Try:

Yield: 1 Apron

How to Make an Apron

How to Make an Apron

Learn how to make an apron that is beginner-friendly, simple, and quick to sew in under an hour. In this step-by-step tutorial, you'll learn how to make a beautiful and practical reversible apron that will protect your clothing and make you feel cute while cooking in your kitchen.

Prep Time 30 minutes
Active Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost $15.00

Materials

  • 2 metres (or yards) of fabric (for contrasting fabrics you need 1 metre (or yards) of each colour/print)
  • PDF Apron Pattern
  • Matching thread

Tools

  • Sewing machine
  • Fabric shears
  • Iron
  • Pins

Instructions

  1. Print the pattern out
    Download and print the PDF Apron Pattern. Assemble the pattern pieces and cut them out.
  2. Cut out the apron
    Lay your fabric on the fold, ensuring it's smooth and wrinkle-free. Place the pattern pieces against the fabric fold and cut out the apron pieces as per the cut list below.
  3. Start sewing the apron
    Take the pairs of waist ties and pin them right sides together. Sew around the short and long sides, leaving one end open, using a 1cm seam allowance. Trim the corners on the closed end. Using a knitting needle or similar tool, turn the tie right side out and press it flat with an iron. Repeat these steps for the other waist tie and the neckties.
  4. Attach the ties to the apron
    Pin the neckties at the top of the apron, aligning the right sides together (as marked on the pattern). Leave a 1cm gap from the side of the apron curve to the tie. Repeat this step for the other necktie. Pin the waist ties to the apron as marked on the sewing pattern, leaving a 1cm gap above the ties. Next, sew the ties in place with a few back
    and forward rows of stitching to secure them well.
  5. Lining the apron
    Place the other apron piece on top, aligning the right sides together. Pin all the way around the apron edges. Make sure the ties are not in the way of any seams! Sew all the way around the outside of the apron with a 1cm seam allowance, leaving a 10cm gap in the bottom hem. Push the apron through the hole to the right side, wiggling out the corners, and press it flat. Edgestitch the hole closed.

Notes

  • Play with contrasting fabrics - experiment with contrasting fabrics for each side of the apron. Especially helpful when you can’t decide what fabric to go with!
  • Add functional pockets – Make your apron more functional by adding pockets to the front. This could just be a simple rectangle or square shape that is topstitched on. This detail adds charm and provides a convenient place to store small kitchen essentials.
  • Use contrasting fabrics for the ties - For fun, you could choose contrasting fabrics for the neck and waist ties.

Did you make this project?

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