This project is the latest in our free beginners sewing tutorials, as part of our Fast Fat Quarter series of easy sewing patterns that you can make with just a couple of fat quarters of fabric. You’ll only need two fat quarters of fabric to make it. We’ll show you how to make an apron, step by step for a great beginner’s sewing project that will only take you an evening or two to finish.
How to make an apron
You will need
- Main fabric: fat quarter
- Contrast fabric: fat quarter
- Basic sewing kit
Notes
- Use a 1cm (3⁄8in) seam allowance.
Easy-sew apron: step-by-step
You will need
-
Fabric
1 fat quarter each of main fabric and contrast fabric - Basic sewing kit
-
Rotary cutter
(, or scissors) - Ruler
- Iron
Method
Cutting out
Cut the main fabric to 36x55cm (141⁄8x215⁄8in).
From the contrast fabric cut out the following pieces:
- Waistband and ties: five strips, 6x56cm (23⁄8x22in) each.
- Skirt trim: one strip, 20x56cm (77⁄8x22in).
How to make the apron skirt
Turn the short edges of the main fabric under by 5mm (1⁄4in) then 5mm (1⁄4in) again and press. Stitch into place to hem.
Fold it in half widthways to find the centre and then fold again to find the quarters and mark these points.
Make a box pleat 1cm (3⁄8in) wide at the quarter points. Pin, press and sew.
Pin the skirt trim to the bottom of the main piece, right sides (RS) together.
Sew into place. Press the seams open then downwards towards the trim.
Assembling the skirt trim
Fold the bottom raw edge of the skirt trim under by 1cm (3⁄8in), press then pin.
Fold this RS together so that the turned-under edge meets the stitched seam of the main fabric and press.
Sew the folded strip together along the side edges of the strip.
Trim the seams then turn RS out.
Topstitch the top edge of the strip into place.
Making the waistband and ties
Place two of the strips RS facing at right angles and draw a line diagonally across them, then stitch along this line.
Trim the seam and press it open.
Repeat this to join all five strips together to make one long strip.
Fold the long strip in half lengthways with RS facing and press.
Stitch together along the short edges and long raw edge, but leaving the central strip unstitched.
Turn RS out then turn the edges of the central strip under 1cm (3⁄8in) to the WS.
Attaching the skirt
Tuck the top raw edge of the apron skirt inside the central waistband section and pin into place.
Topstitch along the bottom edge of the tie and waistband, stitching across the pinned central section to hold the apron skirt into place and to decorate.
