How to Make a Gathered Apron
Here’s how to make an easy gathered apron!
This apron has an added touch of femininity by using a couple of gathered edges!
Get the tutorial below. I also have a full video tutorial on how to make this apron!
I used 1 1/2 yards of fabric to make this apron.
I used 1/2 yard of fabric for the top half and pockets for this apron.
I used 1 yard to make the bottom half of the apron and straps.
Measurements
Here are the measurements for your apron!
- Top Piece: 21″ wide, 20″ long
- Bottom Piece: 42″ wide, 28″ long
- Waistband: 4″ wide, 28″ long
- Neck Strap: 2 1/2″ wide, 30″ long
- Waist Straps: 2 1/2″ wide, 44″ long (make 2)
- Pockets: 9″ wide, 9″ long (make 2)
Gather the Waist
First, gather the waist of your apron.
To do this, set your sewing machine to a wide basting stitch.
You can also do this by hand.
Sew two rows of basting stitches at the top (wide) part of your bottom piece of your apron.
Pull your threads and adjust the gathering until your waist of your apron is 28″ long.
Attach the Waistband
Lay your waistband right sides against the gathered edge of your bottom apron half.
Sew with a 1/2″ seam allowance all the way across. (don’t forget to reset your sewing machine back to a regular stitch length!)
Fold the waistband over your raw gathered edge to the back of your bottom apron piece.
Fold the raw edge of your waistband over.
Pin into place, and sew again to hold the back of your waistband into place.
Set aside.
Apron Top
For the top half of your apron, you’ll want to hem all the raw edges.
Fold each raw edge over twice, and sew into place.
Then, top stitch the top edge and both side edges at the very edge of your apron.
Attach the Top to the Bottom
Now you’ll want to attach the top half of your apron to the bottom half of your apron.
Place the bottom half of your apron on TOP of your top half of your apron, joining right at the waist band.
Center your top half. There will be a little “extra” waistband on either side of the top half of your apron.
Pin into place, then sew to attach the top half of your apron to the bottom half of your apron.
Hem the Bottom Half of your apron
Next, hem the sides and bottom of your apron.
To hem the bottom half of your apron, it’s important to fold over the raw edges TWICE.
Aprons work hard! Hide those raw edges completely so they don’t fray over time!
Sew your hems into place. Top stitching is optional for this part, but encouraged. Those extra stitches will help give your apron a nice long life.
Attach your Straps
Attach all of your straps onto your apron.
Sew the neck strap into place. Pay extra attention to the neck strap so that you don’t accidentally twist it!
Sew one strap onto the top edge of the waistband (one on each side).
Sew the straps on nice and strong! Remember, aprons work hard!
Sew The Pockets
Hem your pocket, folding the hem over twice to conceal the raw edges.
Pin your pockets into place on your apron skirt.
Sew the pockets onto your apron.
Gather the Top of your Apron
Lastly, you’ll want to gather the top of your apron (the “neck/top chest” of the apron).
This gives a nice feminine shape to your apron.
Make two rows of basting stitches, just like you did with the waist of your apron.
Gather until the top of your apron measures roughly 12″ wide. (hold it up to your chest to decide what your preference in width is!)
Sew at a regular stitch length over your gathered portion to hold the gathering into place.
Don’t forget to check out my YouTube video for this project!
Happy sewing!
