It’s easier than you think to learn how to sew an apron without a pattern that can be easily modified to fit any size!
As a mom and homemaker who spends a lot of time in the kitchen, I find having an apron on hand 100% essential. Not only does it protect your clothes from the mess you’ll most certainly make while cooking, but it can actually be super cute. For years I’ve always had two aprons on hand so that I can wash one and still have a spare to use in the meantime, but recently, one of mine broke. So I thought it was the perfect time to make my own beautiful linen apron. And because I hand my aprons in my kitchen as sort of a functional piece of decor, I wanted this new apron to have a pop of color that would stand out.
This post is in collaboration with Fabric Wholesale Direct and they were kind enough to send me the beautiful linen fabric used to make the apron. You can find their entire collection of linen fabric here! Buying fabric online can be difficult, especially because colors and textures can vary, but I was pleasantly surprised when my fabric arrived exactly as I saw it on the website. It was a little stiff at first, as most new linen fabric is, but after one wash, it was nice and soft and will continue to soften the more it’s washed.
PIN FOR LATER!
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How to Sew an Apron without a Pattern
Tools You May Need:
- Sewing machine
- Pins
- Fabric measuring tape
- Sliding gauge (optional)
- Iron and ironing board
- Scissors or rotary cutter
- Tailor’s chalk
Materials Needed:
- 1 yard linen fabric (or fabric of your choice)
- Coordinating thread
Directions
Step 1: Cut the Fabric
Main Apron Piece
Fold the fabric lengthwise and pin the pieces together then cut the fabric so it measures 16″ wide by 28″ long (unfolded is 32″ wide by 28″ long).
Place the folded fabric on a hard surface with the folded edge on the right side, and measure from the top of the folded edge to the left 6″ and make a mark with the tailor’s chalk.
From the top left side of the fabric, measure down the edge of the fabric 8″ and make a mark with the chalk.
Use the chalk to connect the marks with a curved line.
Cut the fabric on the curved line.
Neck Strap
Cut a piece of the remaining fabric that measures 4″ wide by 28″ long.
Apron ties
Cut two pieces of the remaining fabric that measure 3″ wide by 20″ long.
Pocket (optional)
Cut a piece of the remaining fabric that is 8.5″ wide by 12.5″ wide.
Final Cuts
Step 2: Fold & Press the Fabric for Sewing
Main Apron Piece
Fold the edge of the fabric 1/2″ and press, all the way around the main apron piece.
Fold the fabric edge over another 1/2″, then press and pin all the way around.
To reduce the bulk in the corners, once the edges are pinned in place, remove the pins and unfold the corners.
Cut a small square piece from the edge then re-pin the hem.
Neck Strap
Fold the short ends 1/4″ inch and press.
Fold the edge of each long side 1/2″ and press.
Line the edges up by folding the strip in half length wise, then press and pin.
Apron ties
Fold the short ends 1/4″ inch and press.
Turn up the edge of each long side 1/2″ and press.
Fold the strip of fabric in half lengthwise, lining up the folded edges, press and pin. Repeat for the second tie.
Pocket (optional)
Fold the top edge of the pocket piece 1/4″ and press.
Turn up the fabric of the top edge another 1/2″ and press.
Fold each short side of the pocket piece 1/4″ and press, then 1/2″ and press.
Press the bottom edge of the pocket to 1/4″.
Fold the bottom edge again 1″ and press.
Step 3: Assembling & Sewing the Apron
Attaching the Neck Strap and Ties
Sew the neck strap all around the outside edge using a 1/4″ seam allowance.
Also sew the ties with a 1/4″ seam allowance, sewing all the way around.
Lay the main apron piece on a hard surface wrong side facing up and align the bottom of one side of the neck strap with the top edge of the main piece just to the left of the right hem and pin in place. Repeat this for the other side.
Pin the ties onto the right and left side hems just under the curved hem.
Sew on the wrong side of the apron using a 1/4″ seam allowance on the open side of the hem.
To reinforce the neck strap and the ties, sew a second seam, this time on the outer edge of the top (for the neck strap) and each side (for the ties).
Attaching the Pocket (Optional)
Sew the top edge of the pocket using a 1/4″ seam allowance.
Measure from the top of the main apron piece down 10″ and line the top of the pocket with that mark.
Center the pocket piece, ensuring there’s about 9.75″ on each side of the pocket and pin it in place.
Top stitch all the way around pocket on the right, bottom and left side, leaving the top open.
Sew again around the three sides top stitching the other side of the hem.
Notes
- If you need a larger size apron, I suggest purchasing 2 yards of fabric for this project. For a kids size, you may only need 1/2 yard of fabric.
- I like to use a heavier weight fabric like linen for this apron as opposed to a lighter weight cotton.
- This apron is a standard size. For reference I’m a size 10/12 and can easily tie the ties.
- Depending on your size, height, etc, you may want to adjust the length longer/short, as well as the ties and neck strap. It helps to use a fabric measuring tape to determine any adjustments you need to make.
How to Sew a Simple Apron
It's easier than you think to learn how to sew an apron without a pattern that can be easily modified to fit any size!
Materials
- 1 yard linen fabric (or fabric of your choice)
- Coordinating thread
Tools
- Sewing machine
- Pins
- Fabric measuring tape
- Sliding gauge (optional)
- Iron and ironing board
- Scissors or rotary cutter
- Tailor's chalk
Instructions
Step 1: Cut the Fabric
Main Apron Piece
- Fold the fabric lengthwise and pin the pieces together.
- Cut the fabric so it measures 16" wide by 28" long (unfolded is 32" wide by 28" long).
- Place the folded fabric on a hard surface with the folded edge on the right side, and measure from the top of the folded edge to the left 6" and make a mark with the tailor's chalk.
- From the top left side of the fabric, measure down the edge of the fabric 8" and make a mark with the chalk.
- Use the chalk to connect the marks with a curved line.
- Cut the fabric on the curved line.
Neck Strap
- Cut a piece of the remaining fabric that measures 4" wide by 28" long.
Apron ties
- Cut two pieces of the remaining fabric that measure 3" wide by 20" long.
Pocket (optional)
- Cut a piece of the remaining fabric that is 8.5" wide by 12.5" wide.
- If you need a larger size apron, I suggest purchasing 2 yards of fabric for this project. For a kids size, you may only need 1/2 yard of fabric.
- I like to use a heavier weight fabric like linen for this apron as opposed to a lighter weight cotton.
- This apron is a standard size. For reference I'm a size 10/12 and can easily tie the ties.
- Depending on your size, height, etc, you may want to adjust the length longer/short, as well as the ties and neck strap. It helps to use a fabric measuring tape to determine any adjustments you need to make.
Step 2: Fold & Press the Fabric for Sewing
Main Apron Piece
- Fold the edge of the fabric 1/2" and press, all the way around the main apron piece.
- Fold the fabric edge over another 1/2", then press and pin all the way around.
- To reduce the bulk in the corners, once the edges are pinned in place, remove the pins and unfold the corners.
- Cut a small square piece from the edge then re-pin the hem.
Neck Strap
- Fold the short ends 1/4" inch and press.
- Fold the edge of each long side 1/2" and press.
- Fold the strip of fabric in half lengthwise, lining up the folded edges, press and pin.
Apron ties
- Fold the short ends 1/4" inch and press.
- Fold the edge of each long side 1/2" and press.
- Fold the strip of fabric in half lengthwise, lining up the folded edges, press and pin.
- Repeat for the second tie.
Pocket (optional)
- Fold the top edge of the pocket piece 1/4" and press.
- Fold the top edge another 1/2" and press.
- Fold each short side of the pocket piece 1/4" and press, then 1/2" and press.
- Fold the bottom edge of the pocket 1/4" and press.
- Fold the bottom edge again 1" and press.
Step 3: Assembling & Sewing the Apron
Attaching the Neck Strap and Ties
- Sew the neck strap all around the outside edge using a 1/4" seam allowance.
- Also sew the ties with a 1/4" seam allowance, sewing all the way around.
- Lay the main apron piece on a hard surface wrong side facing up and align the bottom of one side of the neck strap with the top edge of the main piece just to the left of the right hem and pin in place. Repeat this for the other side.
- Pin the ties onto the right and left side hems just under the curved hem.
- Sew on the wrong side of the apron using a 1/4" seam allowance on the open side of the hem.
- To reinforce the neck strap and the ties, sew a second seam, this time on the outer edge of the top (for the neck strap) and each side (for the ties).
Attaching the Pocket (Optional)
- Sew the top edge of the pocket using a 1/4" seam allowance.
- Measure from the top of the main apron piece down 10" and line the top of the pocket with that mark.
- Center the pocket piece, ensuring there's about 9.75" on each side of the pocket and pin it in place.
- Top stitch all the way around pocket on the right, bottom and left side, leaving the top open.
- Sew again around the three sides top stitching the other side of the hem.
Notes
- If you need a larger size apron, I suggest purchasing 2 yards of fabric for this project. For a kids size, you may only need 1/2 yard of fabric.
- I like to use a heavier weight fabric like linen for this apron as opposed to a lighter weight cotton.
- This apron is a standard size. For reference I'm a size 10/12 and can easily tie the ties.
- Depending on your size, height, etc, you may want to adjust the length longer/short, as well as the ties and neck strap. It helps to use a fabric measuring tape to determine any adjustments you need to make.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
-
Yorkshire 6.7 oz Natural 100% Linen - 2-Pack - BLACK & WHITE - Coats & Clark Dual Duty All-Purpose Thread - One 400 Yard Spool each of BLACK & White
- GDMINLO Soft Tape Measure Double Scale Body Sewing Flexible Tailor Craft Vinyl Ruler for Weight Loss Medical Body Measurement, Has Centimetre Scale on Reverse Side 60-inch（White）
- Brother SM1704 Sewing Machine, 7.6" x 17.25" x 13.8", White
Looking for more easy sewing projects?
Looking for more easy sewing projects like this tutorial for how to sew an apron without a pattern? Check these out:
- How to Sew a Reusable Fabric Bowl Cover
- How to Make a Bag from an Old Shirt
- How to Sew Tea Towels
- How to Make a Sofa Pad for Extra Cushion
Did you try making this apron? If you did, I’d really love to see it. Tag me on Instagram (@thesimplehomeplace) to show me your own recreation of this tutorial!
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