Tutorial: Sew a child's reversible craft apron

Apron side one

Apron side two

Printable instructions can be downloaded here (on Scribd).

These aprons were sewn as Christmas gifts for a friend's two little ones. I tucked themed crayons, colored pencils and stickers into the pockets - Disney's Cars for the little guy and Disney Princesses for the little gal. The toddlers loved their new aprons so much that after they each drew me a thank you picture they proceeded to wear the aprons for the rest of the day.

These aprons are oh-so-simple to sew! Use one side as a craft apron; flip it over and it becomes a little kitchen helper's apron.

Sizing

• This craft apron fits approximately size 2 to 6.

Materials

• 1/2 yard for each apron side
  
• 4-1/2 yards of bias tape
• thread
• paper to draw the apron pattern.

Create the paper pattern
To create the apron body pattern:

• Draw a rectangle 14" (long) x 9" (wide)
• Mark the left side as the center front.
  
• Measure in 3-1/2" along the top edge and make a mark.
• Measure down 4-1/2" along the right side edge and make a mark.
• Draw a curved line connecting the two marks you made.
• If you want, curve the bottom corner. I used a dinner plate as a guide for the curve.
  

To create the apron pocket pattern:

• Draw a rectangle 7-1/2" (long) x 9" (wide)
• Draw a vertical line 6" in from the right side connecting the top and bottom lines. This is the stitching line that forms three pockets.
• Don't forget to curve the bottom of the pocket if you curved the apron.
  

Sew the apron
Cut out the pattern pieces

• Remember! Place center fronts on the fold of the fabric.
• Cut 1 apron and 1 pocket from fabric number one.
  
• Cut 1 apron and 1 pocket from fabric number two.
  
• Make 4-1/2 yards of bias tape or use purchased bias tape.
  

Apron side one

• Apply bias tape along the 18" (top edge) of pocket.
  
• If you're unsure how to apply bias tape, check out videos on YouTube, like this one.
• With right sides facing up, place pocket on top of apron matching bottom raw edges. (The wrong side of the pocket will be against the right side of the apron.) Pin.
• Hand or machine baste pocket to apron along outer edges, leaving upper edge (the edge with the bias tape) free.
• Machine stitch along stitch lines on pocket, securing the pocket to apron.
  

Apron side two

• Repeat steps for the reverse side of the apron.

Join apron front and back

• With wrong sides together, match the raw edges of the two aprons. Pin.
• Hand or machine baste together close to raw edges.

Bias tape

• Apply bias tape to lower edge of apron making sure raw edges of both sides of apron are encased.
• Apply bias tape to upper edge of apron making sure raw edges of both sides of apron are encased.
• Do not apply bias tape to the curved edges of the bodice yet. You'll finish the curved edge when you add the tie ends.

Tie ends

• Cut 2 pieces of bias tape the length of the curved area (from the top edge of apron to side edge of apron) plus 30".
• Apply bias tape to curved edge of apron extending 15" on the top of the apron (forming the neck ties) and 15" on the side of the apron (forming the waist ties).
• When sewing the bias tape to the curved edge, continue stitching along the unfolded edge of the bias tape close to the edge.
  

Done!

• Place apron on your little one and sit back and watch them happily begin their own creative journey.

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