DIY easy-sew apron

When I turned 40, I gave up t-shirts and jeans as a main wardrobe staple. Vintage dresses & skirts with good cuts seemed to be more flattering for a woman of well, my vintage. Only problem is that I love to cook — and staining a new-to-me dress with some crazy sauce isn’t awesome.

I needed some cover for stirring, frying and sauteing, so I sat down and sewed myself this simple kitchen apron. I love not having to change every time I step foot into the kitchen. And, I think they’d be a rad gift for a housewarming or cocktail party!

-Nicole S.

What to get:

-Straight pins
-Sewing machine
-Scissors
-Thread
-Fabric for the apron (44” x 20” – you can adjust the fabric size depending on how long you want the apron)
-Fabric for the pocket and tie” (two pieces that are 4” x 36” each – you can adjust the length depending on how long you want the apron ties to be) + (one 6” x 6” piece for the pocket)

What to do:

1. Fold your apron fabric in half and cut to round off around the edges of the bottom. *You can use a large bowl as a guide or just eyeball it like I did.

2. Use bias tape to trim around the side and bottom edges of the apron.

3. Create loose box pleats around the top (non-trimmed straight edge of the apron) by folding fabric over starting at the middle and ironing. Repeat this across the length of the top until you’re happy with the amount of pleats you have.

3. Sew together two ends of the tie fabric with the right side facing in. *This will be the middle of the apron.

4. Fold the long sides of the strap over so they meet in the middle then iron.

5. Slip the skirt into the waistband by inserting it into the open side and pin it.

6. Starting on one side of the waist ties, fold in the raw edge at the end

7. Sew together the open bottom of the waistband starting in the middle then and going across the apron. Repeat for the other side.

8. Create your pocket by hemming the top of the square, fold over once and iron then repeat and sew across your folded and ironed hem. Then fold over the sides and bottom and iron only once.