Even though this looks complicated it really is a simple apron to make for your favorite little girls. I hope you give it a try!
Apron Template Download
- Download the template and cut two pieces, one for the front and one for the back.
- Cut 1 strip of fabric 4 inches by 45" (ruffle)
- Cut 1 strip of fabric 5 inches by 25" (waistband) Finished size is 20 -23 inches. Take your child's waist measurement and add about 5 inches to determine the length of fabric needed.
Press ruffle piece (4 " X 45" long strip) in half lengthwise
To finish the ends of the ruffle, take the end and fold right sides together then stitch across the end about 1/4" from the edge. Repeat for other end.
Turn right side out.
Gather the ruffle piece. I do this by zig zag stitching over a piece of dental floss, making sure to not stitch into the dental floss.
Fold piece in half to find the middle and pin.
Gather evenly.
Matching center of ruffle with center of apron, pin ruffle to right side of apron.
Notice how I placed edge of ruffle hanging off the edge of the apron. To make the ruffle taper into the apron, bring the finished end point of the ruffle over to the marking line on the pattern. You may also choose instead to make it go straight by lining up the unfinished edge all the way up the side, just stop at the line (see template).
Place other apron piece on top, pin and then stitch all the way around 1/2 inch from the edge. It worked for me to hold the fabric from the front and back and slightly pull while sewing to keep the top and bottom layers flat. I have a setting that allows the needle to remain in the fabric when I stop-- this helps me also.
Turn right side out and
top stitch all the way around sides along the ruffle. You do not need to stitch across the top.
For waistband. Press 5" X 25" inch piece in half lengthwise. Open up and press each edge to center, then fold in half and press(for a visual on this technique look here on how tote bag strap is pressed). Finish each end the same way as the ruffle ends. Pin to top of apron.
Top stitch all the way around the edge. Sew a two inch piece of Velcro to the back of the front of the apron and a three inch piece to the end of the strap. This allows the waist to be adjustable.
I added a flower to the front of the apron where the Velcro was sewn. You can learn how to make the fabric flower from Wisecraft.
Not only does she look fancy while she is cooking, she can put it on and take it off all by herself!
Updating...
So cute! I LOVE the velcro!
[...] So I decided to use the idea of the towels from Made, but incorporate them with this adorable apron tutorial at Skip to My Lou. (She used Amy Butler fabric, how could I say no??) I paired the towels with two fabrics I [...]
[...] a gorgeous apron tute from here. and I added this book with [...]
Thanks so much for the tutorial. I did it! My daughter was going to a birthday party today so this morning, I made the apron to go with a “baking” themed gift. It was perfect.
This is a great tutorial, thanks so much! I made the apron for a birthday present for a little girl too. Now I need to make my daughter one. Thanks!
Love this! I want to make a full apron though, do you have a pattern or recommendation for adding the part?
Thanks.
thank you so much! the apron turned out soooo cute! my little niece is going to love it!
[...] it. I have been searching the internet for a cute apron pattern and I think I’ve settled on this one (pictured above) from the blog Skip to my Lou. I will probably tweak it a bit, but I love that it [...]
how old was your daughter when she was wearing it in the last pic? i would LOVE to make this but it is for an 8-year-old girl and i’m wondering how much bigger i should make it, as the pattern looks a little small for her when i printed it out. thanks for any input!
[...] sweet girls. I packaged them with cookie decorating supplies (and hopefully will make them matching aprons in the [...]
Wow!! I have just made 12 of these for my daughter’s cupcake birthday party next weekend! They are fabulous and I was able to use up some of the fabric that I have lying around the house! The girls will love them. Now I just need to find a pattern for some aprons for the boys.
Thanks for the fab tutorial! I learned a new sewing trick from you–love the zig zag to make the ruffle. I also posted the apron I made via your tutorial, if you’d like to see it. Thanks for the terrific detail and great project.
http://lovenstamps.com/blog/2011/03/08/sew-sweet-stitches-little-girls-apron/
I’m making two of these today, one for each of my girls. The first is finished, and she’s LOVING it. It turned out so adorable… this is such a great tutorial! Thanks for taking the time to make it for us!!
[...] every little chef (and every big one, too!) needs an apron wardrobe! I used the tutorial that Skip to my Lou posted and they turned out just darling! (Even though I had to gather all those ruffles… and I am [...]
I just made the apron. It was fun to make.
[...] Tutorial em Deck The Halls of HOME with JOY! [...]
Really cute project!!
[...] Çok hoşuma gitti bu önlük
Çiçek güzel bir ayrıntı olmuş. Dikişten anlıyorsanız yapımı burada. [...]
[...] Ruffled child’s apron [...]
Great tutorial, thank-you. I just made one but added a bib to make it a full apron.
Love this pattern. Thanks so much. I just made one and it was my first ruffle! Thanks for teaching me how.
http://treasurehuntergirl.blogspot.com/2011/11/ethical-clothing-pledge-gift-for-gabby.html
Thank you so much for posting this pattern. I’m so excited to make it for my god-daughter this Christmas!
[...] on Skip To My Lou, (such a great inspirational blog, LOVE the ideas she comes up with!) Go here and print the apron template and come back and see the rest of the [...]