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I made these pinafore aprons as garden aprons, but they’d be great in the kitchen or craft room too. I love how the cross back eliminates any strings, and the un-dyed medium weight Lithuanian linen (sourced from Etsy) is absolutely lovely.
Sunny’s been wearing her’s all over, and it’s adorable; I’m hoping for the snow to please stop so we could actually wear these outside in the garden.
This is a simple sewing project; you’ll be done in 1-2 hours I would guess. (it did take me longer as I didn’t have a pattern) Hopefully I can explain it well enough that you’re not totally confused; leave a comment if you have any questions, and I’ll try and get right with you.
Mine is sized as an adult small and Sunny’s is a children’s 4, but the apron’s have a fairly forgiving fit. I ordered two yards of the linen, and had a little left after making both aprons.
Adult cutting diagram: (these are just visual patterns – not available as a to scale download)
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Youth cutting diagram:
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The width of the apron body is figured by your measurement around the bust plus 8″ (seam allowance/hem/cross over). The length is your desired finished length + 4″ for hem and seam allowance, + 3.5″ for children hem and seam allowance.
All seam’s are 1/2″.
– press under 1/2 inch on hem; then pin up 2 1/2″ – stitch
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– cut strap piece in half to create 2 straps – with right sides together, stitch (1/2″ seam) down the long side. Turn right side out and press.
– press under 1/2″ on apron facing piece.
– press under 1/2″ on apron sides – mark 2 1/2″ in (your side hem is 2 1/2 “)
– pin one end of each strap 2 1/2″ in from the apron edges – Sew L shape to attach one end of the strap. Try apron on to adjust the strap length and mark front placement of the straps. (mine were 6 1/2″ apart, Sunny’s 4 1/2” apart)
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– trim top side corners
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– finish sewing top facing seam with straps crossed and placed in front.
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– turn facing down, press, then top stitch
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– measure and pin 2 1/2″ hem on apron sides – stitch
– press under 1/2″ on pocket top; fold down 1 1/2″, right sides together, stitch 1 1/2″ down, 1/2″ in
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– trim corners and flip pocket hem – press under 1/2″ on remaining pocket edges
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– place pockets on apron front and stitch the three sides, leaving top open.
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and that’s it – you did it!
Emma HellamsHi, the Youth Cutting Diagram won’t load, can you please re-attach? Thanks.
Emma HellamsHi, the Youth Cutting Diagram won’t load, can you please re-attach? Thanks.
Amythe youth cutting diagram is to be used as a visual template, not an actual pattern download
Jenamarie Bacotthank you for posting this, i also am having trouble having the youth cutting diagram load, help? thanks 🙂
Claudia Newell LuettersI can’t get either Diagram to load.. Can you please help me..
Amythere isn’t a diagram to download, just an image with the layout and dimensions – hope this helps
Holly Hoffman MinutaglioHi, I think I missed where/when to do the facing. I see it in the photos but the instructions don’t mention it. Help a novice seamstress out please! 😜 I’m not sure if it’s sandwiching the straps, or simply going along the inside top of the apron. Sorry, I’m confused about that portion & stuck at the straps.
Amyi’m sorry – i’m not very good at explaining the directions most likely
the straps are sandwiched in between the lining and the apron so that the tails are hidden and you get a clean finish
JessicaIt’s not you lol I’ve been reading the direction over and over trying to understand the facing and I’ve been sewing (knits) for years.
Michaelle TrottierNot sure if this will be helpful, but the straps are sandwiched between the facing and the front of the apron. Put your facing on the outside of the top of the apron right sides together. Slide the tail end of your straps between the two pieces pin in place. Then you will stitch according to the directions, so that when you turn the facing up and over,the straps will be in the correct place.
MeredithSo adorable! I want to make for my daughter. Unfortunately, the link for the linen isn’t working. Can you suggest where I can get the same linen? I’ve never purchased linen before… 🙂
AmyI would search on Etsy for Belgium linen. Also, Fabric.com has some nice linens – you basically want a medium to heavy weight 100% linen
so young jeongthank you
KathleenWhich marking chalk/chalk implement are you using? Simple, clean.
AmyIt’s a basic taylor’s chalk, something similar to
https://www.etsy.com/listing/83143600/large-white-butterfly-brand-tailors?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=millinery%20chalk&ref=sr_gallery_3
Janice PriceHow long did you end up making the straps for the child’s size 4 apron.
I’m making a present for my granddaughter so I’m guessing…
Thanks
AmyI have 12″ of exposed strap
KellyThis is lovely! I have one I purchased for myself already but was hoping to make one for my 2 year old since I am DIYing a play kitchen for Christmas for her. How tall is your little one? Mine is 32″ and I’m wondering if I could still use this guide. If I shorten the straps will it still be able to fit over her head? Hope I can make this work!
Amyi would shorten the straps only slightly, (maybe an inch) and also shorten the body of the apron by an inch or two
MapleHi, I think your pic for putting straps is not correct? If we want to put the back strap as your finished photo, we need to put strap on the wrong direction. Or maybe I am wrong,but at least mine was not as your finished one. Then cut and try in the opposite direction, and it is ok.
Amyi tried to take the pictures as i sewed the pinafore, so i think it is correct. the straps are super confusing though, in that you’re correct!
NikkiLove the aprons and the fabric is lovely. but I am thinking it is not washable? I would think a washable fabric would work best for an apron.
AmyActually, the linen is quite washable and holds up well
Mary DugglebyWhen you say that your straps are 6.5 inches apart do you mean from the center of the body? Or from the other strap?
Amyfrom each other
LoriCute project! I’m thinking of making this as a gift for a friend and her daughter so I can’t measure them. Just wondering how tall you are. My friend is a small as well but it’s fairly petite, 5’3″. Just trying to figure out if I should shorten the apron.
Thanks!
Amygreat question! i’m 5’2″
JillI have made aprons for child and adult.
How long did you make the exposed adult straps?.It does not sit well. Lovely pattern.
Amyit totally depends on the height of the adult. I’m 5’2, so the length that i used for myself would be too short for a taller person. it’d be best to have someone try it on.
JillI recently asked for lenght of adult straps. I am 5’2″ and cannot get apron to sit. Could you please tell me your length.
much appreciated. Jill
Amyi am also 5’2″, and the straps on my apron are 21″ long
JessicaThis is so cute! I am curious how long your daughter was able to fit in this? My son is 7 so I was going to add a few inches to each measurement, probably be closer to right in between the child size 4 and adult. Thanks!!
AmyMy daughter wore it until she was almost eight – hope that helps
Katavy@googlemail.comWOW- Thank you. It took me all afternoon but was worth it. Don’t think it will take me that long now I know what to do. Cheers.
JessThank you! Your recommendation for how to measure and cut according to individual measurements was exactly what I needed to make my own pinafore apron! I’ve been wanting to make one for so long, but most tutorials have specific measurements without advice on how to modify. Thanks again!!
Rachelyou State to cut the straps in half, after cutting them in half lengthways I now am guessing you meant crosswise, correct?
AmyThe strap gets cut in half to create two straps.
Sorry if this all sounds confusing!
JennyAlso confused by this.. so should we have 2 straps 3iches wide? (I.e cut lengthways) or 2 straps 6 inches wide (I.e cut width ways). Thanks!
Amy(2) straps 3 inches wide
Nancy in WAThank you so much for sharing this tutorial, especially the measurements. I want to make one for my granddaughter and her mama. It is hard to visualize just how big to make something for someone else who is not available to be measured. I had found other tutorials giving centimeters, but inches are lovely!
JillHow would you adjust for an extra large size? 5’ 8” tall gma? Thank you for sharing, I have seen this apron with no instructions on construction.
AmyI would add a couple inches to the over length of and width of the apron, as well as a couple inches of length to the straps
Mary K RauI tried this pattern today and love the results. I had a couple of challenges, but for the most part, it came together extremely well. Thank you!!
Linda BartzI am making matching aprons for my daughter and granddaughter. My daughter is my size so that was easy. My granddaughter wears a 5T dress. Her chest measures 24″. How wide should I cut the fabric for her? They do not live in my state so I can’t try it on her and adjust..
AmyI would just add 1-2 inches to the width.
Bonye NewcombDid you wash and dry the linen first? Doesn’t linen shrink quite a bit?
AmyI did prewash and dry as yes, linen does shrink
NancyHow to adjust the size 4 apron to a size 2? I would to make a few of these for my great granddaughter play kitchen. Thank you!
AmyI would just take a half inch off of all sides. The sizing is very forgiving.
RebekahWhat’s the total amount of fabric used for each apron?
Amyit depends on the size you’re making. Look at the largest apron piece, and figure from there.
MICHELLEHi ! pardon my English, I’m French… I made an apron little girl size 4. Looks like the straps 42″ (cut in 2) are much too long. Looks like is the patern “adult Small” dimension for straps… Isn’t it ? Thank you Amy
AmyYou just cut the strap to the length needed
CarolineGoodmorning 😊 is it measurements in inchs or cm? Thanks
And nice day
Caroline
Amyinches
Amyyou will cut it in half length wise for how short, wide strap pieces