Gathered Apron Tutorial

Hi there! I hope you all had a great weekend!  I spent the weekend sewing with this beautiful Milk Cow Kitchen fabric! You guys, this fabric is gorgeous in person!  I had so much fun sewing with this beautiful fabric.  I have made three different projects with the Milk Cow Kitchen fabric and will be sharing them all week long with you guys!

Today I am sharing this fun Gathered Apron tutorial!  If you are a beginner (like me) when it comes to garment sewing, this is a pretty easy project to start with!  

This apron is reversible, and it also has a fun pleated pocket on one side.  If you wanted to keep this apron even more simple, you could leave the pocket off entirely, and you could whip this apron up in no time! 

Aren't those cows just the cutest?  

I had a lot of fun sewing up this apron, and now I proudly have it hanging in my kitchen! I love how it turned out and I can't wait to start using it! :)

Now let me show you how I made this!

Supplies:

1/2 yard cut of main print
1/2 yard cut of backing print
1/2 yard cut for pocket, ties -- Cut pocket out using template.  Cut 2 - 6" x WOF strips for ties.
6.5" x  3.5" piece of fabric for band of pocket

Step 1: You will use the entire piece of your 1/2 yard cuts for the panels of your apron.  With the fabric folded in half, layer your two fabrics and round the bottom right corners. (Do not round off your folded edge, round off the right bottom edge) I used a large plate to do this.

Set aside.

Step 2: Print off your pocket template -- (here)  Cut out template and then use template to trace onto fabric and then cut out.  You need two pocket pieces for your pocket.

Step 3:  Place pocket pieces right sides together and pin.  Sew around the pocket, leaving the top opened.  Then turn right side out and press.

Step 4:  With a ruler, mark the halfway point of your pocket.  Then from the halfway point, mark an inch on the right side of your mark, and then on the left.

Step 5: Now fold over your right side and line up your right mark and place right on the center line and pin.  Do the same to the left side and pin. Then sew a 1/4" stay stitch across the top to keep your pleats in place. 

Step 6:  Now we will add the band.  Fold over a 1/4" and press on the long side of your band.  Then fold in half right sides together.  

Step 7: Stitch around the three sides, leaving the bottom edge where you folded the 1/4" open.   Then clip your corners, and flip right side out and press.

Step 8: Now slip your band over your pocket, and then stitch it down along the bottom edge of your band. 

Step 10: Now attach your pocket to your front panel of your apron.  I placed mine on the left side towards the bottom.  This is a personal preference.

Step 11: Now you will sew your front panel to your back panel.  Place them right sides together, pin all the way around and then sew a 1/2" seam around the perimeter, leaving the top open.  Turn right side out and press.  You can also sew a top stitch around the apron at this point if you'd like.  

Step 12: Using a gathering stitch, gather the top of your apron.

Step 13: Make your ties.  Sew your two strips together, making an 88" long tie.  Then fold over about a 1/2" on either side and press.  Then fold in half and press.

Step 14: Find the center of your ties and the center of your apron and pin.  Sandwich the ties around the apron.  Then sew the ties on using an 1/8" seam.  When you come to the edge of the ties, fold in the raw edges and sew closed. 

And there you have it!  A darling apron, perfect of an afternoon of baking! :)

Talk to you soon,

This apron was inspired by this child's gathered apron.