A Girl’s Apron Pattern Tutorial – it’s about time! I’ve had the adult Full Apron Tutorial for quite a while, so it was inevitable that this was coming.
The funny thing is, I didn’t realize I needed this until my oldest and I attended a fun Mother/Daughter baking event and the only apron she had was one of those free kid ones from a home improvement store – so I showed up with my cute apron, and she of course needed one. So now she has one (and they both do!)
So cute, right?! I love aprons because they can really showcase awesome fabrics. The fabrics I used for these aprons are from the new line at Riley Blake, Splendor.
Let’s jump right in to the tutorial. My girls are 7 and 9 years old, and this apron fit both of them.
You’ll need:
–1/2 yard main fabric
–1/2 yard trim fabric
–basic sewing supplies (scissors, sewing machine, thread, etc)
You’ll first need to cut the following pieces:
MAIN FABRIC
bottom skirt panel, 18x12in
top bib panel, 10x6in
TRIM FABRIC
waistband, 18x3in (cut 2)
top trim, 10x2in (cut 2)
bottom ruffle, 30x4in
ties, 20×2.5in (cut 4)
Cutting everything out is half the battle! Now let’s prep the pieces – – for the waistband and top trim, iron under 3 sides, leaving one long side flat (see picture below for clarification). Set aside.
Sew each tie into a tub, with one seam on the long side, sewing it right sides together. Then turn the tubes right-side out. I love using a turning tool. Finish one end buy turning it under and sewing into place. Set aside.
Ruffle: use a narrow hem and hem the bottom edge and sides of the ruffle. Then ruffle the top edge, using a long stitch and creating the ruffle by pulling one of the threads. Match the length of the ruffle to the skirt panel piece. Set aside.
Using a narrow hem, hem the side seams of the skirt panel and bib panel pieces. Set aside.
ASSEMBLY
Now that everything’s been prepared, let’s jump in to assembly!
First – attach the ruffle. Lining up raw seams, sew the ruffle to the bottom of the skirt panel:
Iron it down and topstitch to finish the trim and hold the ruffle flat in place:
Waistband – make a sandwich with the two waistband pieces and the top of the skirt panel, with raw edges matched up, as shown:
Sew along that raw edge then press the two waistband pieces up.
Topstitch along that seam:
Now slide the bottom of the bib panel into the top of the waistband sandwich – that edge on the waistband should already be turned under. Topstitch along that entire edge:
This will ensure that the seams are encased on both the right-side and the back-side of the apron:
Repeat that method with the top trim. When it’s time to sew the topstitch along the top edge, insert a tie on each end at a slight slant. Sew up the ends of the top trim as well.
The ends of the waistband should still be open. Insert a tie near the top:
Then fold it down to create a pleat at the end of the waistband. Topstitch into place. Repeat on other side.
Finished waistband:
That’s it!! Stand back and enjoy your project! Since the waist and neck are ties, it can adjust to fit a variety of sizes.
If you love aprons and want an adult version, I have a tutorial for that on my blog:
Isn’t that cute! Love the fabric choices. And love an apron that actually covers enough so that you don’t ruin your shirt underneath!
So pretty!! I’ve got a Craft Gossip post scheduled for this evening that links to your tutorial: https://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-girls-ruffled-full-apron/2014/05/05/
–Anne
adorable apron! And sweet models 🙂 Great tute, pinning!
Pinned it!
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/257690409903450440/
These are adorable! My 4 year old daughter saw them, and she’s decided she MUST have one. I forsee us making these in the near future!
These are so cute, Mandy!! I need to learn to sew! I think Tinsley needs a mini cookin’ cowgirl apron! 🙂 Pinned!
Thanks for the tutorial! I made one of these for my 8 year old and it is really cute!
awesome! I bet she loves it
Love the pattern. What seam allowance are you using?
It doesn’t have to be too specific since it’s not sewn to fit, and instead ties. I think I used 1/2 inch, but I’m sure any average seam allowance should work. Great question!
What is the finished length of this apron? I wonder how I can adapt your pattern for my 3,5 yo daughter.
Judith recently posted…La création d’un costume de Fraisinette
I’m not sure the finished length (we recently moved and it’s still packed!) but you can adapt it for sure – maybe just take 2 inches off the bib part and 2 inches off the apron skirt part. Good luck!
Hi, cute pattern. Either it’s too late or I’ve been sewing too long today. I just cannot visualize how you are laying out the trim patterns pieces so that you have enough material out of the half yard. Thanks for your time!
Melissa
I think I placed all the cuts in strips, one on top of the other,although that adds up to 19 inches, not 18…. hmmm, I can’t remember how I did it! maybe I had a slightly large 1/2 yard cut? sorry I’m not more helpful – I should have snapped a pic of that!
I was looking for a tutorial on how to put an apron like this together for my Granddaughter.
She is just 2 years old so I had to make it quite a bit smaller.
Your instructions are wonderful, right to the point, and I’m a visual learner so I love
the pictures. Great job. I will be checking more on your blog!
Thanks,
Joan
I bet she loves it!!
You know what is going to happen next? An apron for the American Girl doll, of course!! Great tutorial!!! Thanks for sharing!!!
i want to know how much you folded in the first pieces? thank you, and great tutorial. 🙂
for the hem? i think it was 1/4 inch – have fun making yours!
Thank you for a lovely pattern and helpful tutorial. I’m quite pleased with the final result. My waistband and trim ended up being a little too wide. So, my only change for future aprons would be to not iron the seam for the sides of the top trim and waistband until after attaching the skirt and bib. Then I would tuck them in to match the width of the skirt and bib better. I’m still a newbie at sewing, but your tutorial was quite useful.
What did you do with the four tie pieces? Are two of them sewn together to make a 40 x 2.5 piece of fabric?
Do the largest measurements go horizontal or vertical? Will this fit a 10 year old?
What ages are your girls in these photos?