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!
thank you so much! the apron turned out soooo cute! my little niece is going to love it!
Love this! I want to make a full apron though, do you have a pattern or recommendation for adding the part?
Thanks.
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!
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.
So cute! I LOVE the velcro!
Thanks for this tutorial. I’m going to post a link to this. I also love the tip with the dental floss to gather the ruffle.
Beautiful!
I was wondering why you put the material on the front and back and the ruffle in between. Wouldn’t just one piece of material be sufficient?
Just made a whole bunch for my 3 year old’s birthday party! They turned out fantastic! Thank you so much for the inspiration and tutorial! Here’s a pic of mine: http://mamasamess.blogspot.com/2010/02/cupcake-fever.html
Ok so I just finished making four aprons for my two grandaughters and two grandnieces. I added felt appliques to personalize them. This is such a cute design and very simple to create. Love your site!
thanks for this! i used it to make a few reversible aprons for Christmas presents!
I made a couple for the girls coming to my mother’s house for cookie decorating!
Oh wow! I dug through some remnants I had and whipped this up really fast… about 2 hours. Suspect I can do some much faster now that I see how it should go and am thinking of making some for my nieces for Xmas. Thanks so much for the super helpful tutorial…. and the floss trick was THE best. Love it!
Thank you so much. I made this apron for my daughter and it turned out so great! Really easy and quick. The floss trick was wonderful! We plan on making more in different fabrics.
This is so cute! And I love the floss tip for doing the gathering. Thanks for sharing :).
Okay this is soooo stinkin’ cute I wish I would have thought of it! Thanks so much for sharing.
Mommaoh aka Jamie