Sew your own ruffled half Apron with this easy to follow tutorial! The Apron features two ruffles, two Pockets with machine appliqued Hearts, and long Tie Ends making it adjustable for many sizes. This apron design looks so sweet in this Valentine themed fabric, but it would look great in any combination of fabrics!
Prefer to watch how the Apron is put together? Click here to view my DIY video tutorial on YouTube that will walk you step-by-step
on how to sew this adorable ruffled Apron.
SUPPLIES
Note: I used quilting cottons for my Apron.
Apron Body: 42" x 18" - CUT 1
Upper Ruffle: 42" x 7" - CUT 2
Lower Ruffle: 42" x 7" - CUT 2
Pockets: 8" x 8" - CUT 4 (same fabric as Apron Body)
Waistband: 26" x 5" - CUT 1 (same fabric as Apron Body)
Tie Ends: 40" x 5" - CUT 2 (same fabric as Apron Body)
Heart Appliques: 6" x 6" (2) for Large Hearts; 5" x 5" (2) for Small Hearts
Thread - Coordinating to sew Apron
Thread - Contrasting to Applique the Hearts (I used a Sulky rayon thread)
Paper-backed Fusible Web (I used Heat-n-Bond LITE)
Ruler
Paper and Fabric Scissors
Pencil
Iron and Ironing Board
Sewing Machine
Optional: Two 1/2" buttons for the pockets; Open-toe pressure foot for applique; Self-healing mat and rotary cutter; Purchased applique for the pockets (instead of creating your own).Download the PDF file of the
Hearts. Print.
(this is
a PDF File on Google Drives) - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1DvBW4Xm0uHcssf9-fYvs8Gmgt6m_VG0e?usp=sharing
APPLIQUE HEARTS TO POCKETS
Place the fusible web paper
backing over the Hearts with the paper side up (bumpy side will be down). Trace
2 large Hearts and 2 small Hearts onto the paper. Be sure to leave about
1/2” between the Hearts. Rough cut the Hearts.
Following manufacturer’s
instructions, fuse each Heart onto the wrong side of fabric. Cut out each Heart.
Place 1 large Heart in the center
of 1 Pocket piece. Carefully lift up and peel off the paper backing. Place
Heart back in place. Fuse following the manufacturer’s instructions. Repeat for
the other Pocket.
Place 1 small Heart on the lower
left edge of the Pocket overlapping the large Heart slightly. (See photo of Apron for approximate placement).
Once you’re happy
with the placement, make a small mark on the edge of the large Heart where the
small heart meets. Be sure to use an erasable fabric marker. (You’re marking where you will start and stop
the large Heart applique to avoid a thread bump underneath the small Heart.)
Remove the small Heart and set aside.
Repeat for the other pocket.
Using contrast thread applique
the large Hearts in place using a narrow width/length zigzag. Start and stop at
the marks you added in the previous step. Experiment on a sample first to
determine the exact zigzag width and length to use on your machine.
Place the small Hearts back in
place. Carefully lift up and peel off the paper backing. Fuse following the
manufacturer’s instructions.
Using contrast thread applique
the small Hearts in place using a narrow width/length zigzag.
PREPARE THE POCKETS
Note: All seams are 1/2”
Place 2 Pocket pieces (1 with the
appliqued hearts) right sides together. Pin. Mark a 3” opening at the bottom.
Stitch around all edges, leaving a 3” opening for turning.
Trim the seam allowance and snip
a small triangle piece off at each corner. Turn the Pocket right side out.
Press, making sure to turn in the seam allowance of the 3” opening.
Repeat for the other pocket.
Fold the upper edge 1/2” to the right
side and press. If desired, stitch one button in the center of the Pocket
securing the folded edge to the pocket.
Set Pockets aside.
HEM THE APRON BODY
Designate one 42” edge of the
Apron Body as the top. Press under and stitch a double 1/4” hem along the
bottom edge, and both side edges.
CREATE THE TWO APRON RUFFLES
Place the Upper Ruffle strips
right sides together along one short end. Pin and stitch. Press seam open.
Press under and stitch a double
1/4” hem along all four edges.
Stitch a row of gathering
stitches 1” from the upper edge, leaving long thread tails at the beginning and
end. Stitch a second row of gathering
stitches 3/4” from the upper edge, leaving long thread tails at the beginning
and the end.
Repeat for the Lower Ruffle.
STITCH RUFFLES TO APRON BODY
Fold the Apron Body in half and
mark the center with a pin or erasable fabric marker. Unfold.
Mark the center of the Upper and
Lower Ruffles.
Position the Apron Body on a flat
work surface with the right side facing up. Position the Lower Ruffle 5” from
the bottom of the Apron Body with the right side facing up. Matching the centers
and the ends, pin the Lower Ruffle to the Apron Body. Pull up the gathering
threads to distribute the ruffle fullness evenly. Pin. Stitch in place.
Position the Apron Body on a flat
work surface with the right side facing up. Position the Upper Ruffle 9” from
the top of the Apron Body with the right side facing up. Matching the
centers and the ends, pin the Upper Ruffle to the Apron Body. Pull up the
gathering threads to distribute the ruffle fullness evenly. Pin. Stitch in place.
STITCH POCKETS TO APRON BODY
Position the Apron Body on a flat
work surface with the right side facing up.
Measure 5-1/2” from each side
edge, and 3” from the upper edge. Mark with a pin or erasable fabric marker.
Place each Pocket along the lines. The lower edge of the pocket will be tucked under the top edge of the Upper Ruffle. Pin. Edgestitch along three edges, keeping
the upper Pocket edge open.
ADD WAISTBAND AND TIES
Stitch a row of gathering
stitches 1/2” from the upper edge of the Apron Body, leaving long thread tails
at the beginning and end. Stitch a
second row of gathering stitches 1/4” from the upper edge, leaving long thread
tails at the beginning and the end.
With right sides together, align
one tie short edge with one Waistband short edge. Pin. Stitch. Repeat to stitch
the remaining tie to the opposite Waistband short edge. Designate one Waistband
edge as the upper edge.
Position the Apron Body on a flat
work surface with the right side facing up. Position the Waistband right sides
together over the apron, matching the upper edges. Align the center of the Waistband
with the center of the Apron, and the side seam of the Waistband with the side
edges of the Apron. Pull the bobbin thread to gather the upper edge of the Apron
Body to match the width of the Waistband. Pin. Stitch.
Press the seam toward the Waistband.
Press the short edges of the Tie Ends 1/2” toward the wrong side. Press the remaining Waistband edges
1/2” toward the wrong side. Fold the Waistband in
half lengthwise, wrong sides together, enclosing the raw edges. Press. Pin. Edgestitch the Waistband/Ties long and short ends.
Ta-da! Done! Put on your new
ruffle apron and give it a twirl!
If you sew this Apron using my tutorial, be sure to tag me on Instagram (@SharonSews) or use the hashtag #SharonSewsApronTute so I can see your lovely creation!
Blessings!
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