Girl of a different Era

The apron is a truly timeless, so I set to work the other day to create myself an apron. I wanted the classic white waisted one, that can flow in and out of any era. Being not only useful but perfect for costuming!

Here are the step by step directions on how I created this quaint white apron.

1# Lay out your fabric. (I am using a thin sheet so I doubled it up)

2# figure out how long you want the apron and add 2 inches more for the hem (I made mine 32″. Make the width 3 feet adding an inch for hem allowance.

#3 Sketch the outline onto your fabric with a pen or pencil, by first marking the dots then connecting them using a yardstick as a straight edge.

#4 Then cut it out.

5# Make two pocket measurements by taking a book approximate to the size you want and trace its outline onto the cloth Then cut out. (The book I used was slightly larger then 8″x 5″)

6# Now cut out a the waist band and straps. First measure the from the two side seems of the shirt you are wearing and use that as your waist band length, for the width you will use 4 inches. For the straps you will cut out two more strips of the same length.

7# Time to start hemming! Fold in 1/2 inch of materiel from either side, pin, and hem.

8# For the bottom you make a wide 2 inch hem, and folding in 1/2 inch of the top of it (so their is no ragged edge)

9# Now for the pockets, make another wide two inch hem and fold down the top as before.

#10 to attach the pockets measure 10 inches from the top of apron and mark the line it makes with pencil or pins.

Next find the center of that line and insert a pin. Then on either side pin your pockets five inches from the cente.

#11 Now we must gather the top of the apron so it is less wide then the bottom; To gather baste(big stitches) a row of stitches 1/4″ and 1/2″ at the top of the apron (don’t cut off the thread tails). Now picking up the two front threads begin to pull gently (you will see the fabric begin to bunch) continue to do this working the bunched fabric along the top until you have about half of the top scrunched up, then switch and do the same on the other side.

#12 To sew on the waist band. Widen or narrow the gathered top to fit the waist band with 1/2 inch to spare on either side. Pin a little less than 2 inches of the waist band to the inside of the apron and sew.

13# Now, iron down 1/2 inch of the top of the remaining hem and sides. Flip down hem and sew.

14# To prepare strap sew a 1/2 inch hem along the bottom,cut a diagonal at the ends and also so sew.

Then flip the straps inside out.

14# Now to attach the straps, rip out a one inch section of waist band stitching then insert strap, and sew. Repeat on the other side.

15# Try it on!!!! You did great!

Let me know if you have any questions, or if you want to try this out. Also leave a comment if you want me to do more posts like this!