Apron Tutorial

May 4 update: for anyone interested, my sewing blog is now at nicholecreates.blogspot.com. Keep in touch for some upcoming giveaways.
I have had a few people request information on how to make these super cute aprons so instead of explaining it poorly 5 or 6 times, I thought I would just put instructions here. If you have any additional questions, put it in the comment section and I will answer them there. Here it goes!
1. To make the pattern cut out a shape similar to this. The top is about 12", the widest part under the curves is about 21" and the length is about 27". This can all be altered for your body, no problem but this is good for someone 5'4"- 5'7" or so. make sure you cut out a front and then a matching lining. I just used a cheap $1/ yard cotton from JoAnn. No one is going to see it anyway.
2. Use a rotary cutter, mat and ruler and keep your other fabric folded as it was when it came off the bolt. Cut two Five inch strips (for the bottom) and two 4" strips for the waist. For the neck straps and pockets you could use the same or a different fabric and cut 2 2 1/2" strips the WIF (width of fabric) again and then a pocket that is 6 1/2" by 11". Then fold the pocket in half and clip two matching corners so your pocket has a little more visual interest.
3. Zig zag stitch all of the edges of the pocket. If you don't want to do this, just fold about a 1/4 inch in, press, and then fold it in again to give yourself a clean edge inside. After zig zagging fold the top over about a 1/4 of an inch, press it and then sew it with a scant seem allowance to keep it down.
After all edges have been folded and pressed (no need to sew the rest), pin it on your apron front where you want it placed. Then top stitch all of the way around the pocket, except for the top. Your pocket is now done!
4. Place your 5" pieces right sides together and sew the two end together with a 1/4" seem allowance then press the seem open. Then fold the entire length in half to give yourself one long 2 1/2" sash. Press it and then  start pleating it. I its kind of hard to explain but basically you are making one inch folds that overlap and then leave one inch in between. Another way to say it is, start with your ruler at the end, grab your fabric at the three and bring it over to the two, leaving a fold between the two and three. Move the ruler down so it starts at the beginning of your last fold and do it again. Maybe the picture will help.
6. When you finish there should be 18-19 pleats. They should all be pressed and pinned in place. Then place it on the right side of your liner with the edges matching each other. You  have to pull and tug to get them to line up the entire way. About 2 1/2" from the corner, pull the end of the sash out the edge and pin in place. See the picture for clarification. Do that on both ends. Machine baste this in place, stitching close to the edges.You can take all of the pins out now.
7. For the neck straps, fold them in half right sides together so you you have 2 2 1/2" strips. Sew the 2 long sides with 1/4" seem allowances. Clip the corners and turn it right side out. Press. For the waste straps fold them in half the other way, right sides together, and sew the long way and the one end. clip corners again and turn and press them. You should have two 43 inch straps now. The exact lengths don't matter.
8. Pin your straps in place as shown with the straps coming in to the apron and put the front on it, right side down and pin that in place.
9. Sew with a 5/8" allowance starting with the strap on the right on its inner edge so you immediately sew that strap on, the go all of the way around the apron ending at the other strap. Leave the space in between the straps open so you can turn your apron out through that hole. After it is turned, press the apron, tugging on the bottom pleat to straighten it as much as you can. Press the opening in folded to close it. Then top stitch starting at one waist strap, going up and around the top and down over the other waste strap. This gives all the straps extra security. After this, you are done!








Let me know if there are any questions or if I didn't explain anything well! Let me know if you make one, I would love to see it! Feel free to leave a comment or send me an email with questions or comments on the tutorial!.
Thanks!