Craft Apron Tutorial

I have been on the search for a good craft show apron design for awhile now. It's nice to have something to hold your calculator, scissors, phone, pens and other items you want to have on hand while vending, and I wanted something handmade that matched by booth design.  I finally found a quick and easy method of creating a tool belt style apron and gave it a shot! Design Sponge published this tutorial last week for a gardening apron, and I loved the poster's logic for creating pockets and attaching the apron tie in such a simple, clever way. Using their construction methods and a few modifications, I created my own pattern for this craft apron and took some step by step photos to share with you along the way.

Materials:

1/2 yard durable fabric (cotton canvas or denim work well)
1 yard complementary fabric
I used 1/2 denim and 1 yard quilter's weight cotton for the pockets, apron backing and tie
optional: iron-on Quick Fuse fabric sheets for ink jet printers

I wanted an apron that would look a little like a miniskirt, so I chose a width that wrapped further around my sides and didn't hang too long. I settled on a base piece of denim that was 13" x 22".  I then measured how high I wanted the pockets to go on the apron - about 8". The pocket piece gets folded in half and stitched to the base piece so there is fabric on the inside and outside of the pockets. Really easy! I'll explain the apron construction step by step below.

 

1. Cut all four pieces you will need for the apron: one 13" x 22" of denim or other durable fabric, one 13" x 22" cotton fabric,  one 16" x 22" piece of cotton fabric for pocket, and one 5" x 60" piece for tie (you can also piece two strips together if you don't have this long a piece). I used a .5" seam allowance. Press all fabric pieces with an iron before sewing

2. Line up the two 13" x 22" pieces and lay right sides together. Fold in half and measure and cut the curves to create the rounded apron bottom. You can also leave them square for a basic rectangular shape.

3. Fold the long strip for the apron tie in half with right sides facing and press

4. Measure and place a pin 20" from each end of the strip. You will leave this open and slide the apron inside to attach the tie to the apron.

5. Sew the tie with right sides facing. I angled the ends to give it a little style, but you could leave them square as well. Sew to the pin and back stitch. Go to opposite end and sew to the pin and back stitch.

6. Turn apron tie right side out. I used a knitting needle to help push the fabric tube right side out.

7. With ride side out, fold pocket piece in half and pin to the face of your denim fabric with bottom sides flush. Measure and pin where you would like your pockets. Sew a straight line to create a pocket division and back stitch at the top to secure the two pieces of fabric.

 

8. Place the two 13" x 22" pieces of fabric with right sights facing one another. Sew all the way around leaving a 4" gap to turn the pieces right side out.

9. Place the apron body right side out into the opening in the apron tie. Fold under the excess fabric on both sides of the tie to hide the raw edge. Pin into place.

10. Leaving 1/8" seam allowance, top stitch the apron tie on all four sides, stitching the apron tie to the apron body as you go.

 

I added a red bias tape strip around my apron to give it a little punch. I also printed out an image of Bean and Lily onto Quick Fuse fabric sheets. These sheets are iron-on and will print using your home printer. I cut out the image and ironed it onto the apron to make it look like Bean and Lily were hanging out in my pocket.

Creating an apron for craft shows is a great way to let customers know you're the booth owner, and it's also handy for keeping your materials and money close by. See my great big craft show prep list here on Handmadeology.

Craft tutorials are for personal use only. All tutorial content and photos are copyright of Beantown Handmade. Please do not reproduce without permission. Thanks!