I’ve saved the best for last, in regards to our 4th of July party posts! One of my main focuses of the party was the decor. I wanted to keep most of it simple and use things that you may have already or that wouldn’t cost much to duplicate. One thing that I really wanted to have as part of our party decor was an apron garland across the front of our food table. Don’t let this reversible apron tutorial scare you with all the pictures, it really is pretty easy.
The best part about this apron is that it only uses 3 fat quarters of fabric. Use a couple scraps and you got some pockets.
My mother in law is a expert seamstress. When I told her what I wanted to make she took me into her sewing room and opened up her 4th of July project drawer. She pulled out the most adorable Riley Blake fabric fat coordinating fat quarters of fabric. So this project was truly meant to be! 🙂
I made 5 reversible aprons at the same time, trying to remember to take pictures throughout the process. The fabrics I use for each section may change, but the process is what is most important for this reversible apron tutorial. I’m not super great at sewing terms so if you don’t understand one of the steps from my description, please let me know.
I think the hardest thing was to decide which fabrics I wanted to use together. Once you’ve decided that, you are ready to start. Out of the 3 fat quarters you will have to decide which two are going to be the apron part and the 3rd fat quarter will be the tie.
Take the two apron pieces and put them front sides together.
Fold them in half width wise so you will have a 10.5 in by 18 in. surface to cut out your pattern. For your pattern use a piece of tissue paper, or 11×17 paper or whatever is handy to cut out your apron fronts. You can see that the straight edge of the paper we laid down on the fold of our fabric. Our apron patter is 16 inches long and 10.5 inches wide. We just did a free hand cut to round the corner and to bring it in at the top. Pin your pattern to your fabric and cut out your apron.
Next I cut the pieces for the tie. You will need to get 4 strips of fabric out of the 3rd fat quarter. Cut (4) 4.5 inch by 21 inch strips of fabric for the tie. Once your strips are cut, put two of them together right sides facing together and sew a 1/4 to 1/2 inch seam. Sew all 4 pieces together to make one long tie piece. Lay your seam section down on the ironing board and iron the seam open and flat. Most likely you will have a selvage edge on each piece of fabric. I just made sure to include that in my seams.
If you want to add pockets to your apron you will need 1 or 2 pieces of fabric 10 inches by 6 inches.
Fold the fabric in half and then in half again. Using paper for a pattern again, place the straight edges along the folds of the fabric and cut a small triangle shape out of the fabric. Making it so the pocket will have a nice point at the bottom.
To sew the pocket, sew a 1/4 inch seam around the edges of the pocket (not the folded side) leaving a small opening on one side. If the fabric has a print, make sure the front of the fabric is together as you sew the along the edges. Then turn your pocket right side out and iron flat. Making sure the little opening is tucked in and it will make it easier to sew to the apron. We placed our pockets on the right side of the front of the apron about 4.5 inches from the top and side of the edge. Sew the pocket to the apron making sure to not sew the top shut. 🙂 Once the pockets are sewn on, it’s time to sew the apron “skirt” together.
Put the fronts of the apron together and sew a 1/4 to 1/2 in seam along the edge of the apron. Don’t sew the top of the apron.
Make little cuts along the rounded corners of the apron, making sure to not clip the actual seam. You do not need to do this for the straight edges. This just helps when turning the fabric right side out.
Then turn the fabric so the front of the apron is showing and then press the seams so they are flat.
Now it’s time for the tie. Lay the front of the tie down on the front of apron (it doesn’t matter which side you start with) so the top edges line up and the middle seam of your tie is at the middle of your apron. Pin it along the top of the apron, then sew a 1/4 inch seam. Flip the tie up so the front of the fabric is showing and iron the seam flat.
Turn the apron over so the other front of the apron is showing, fold the tie in half and roll up the edge of the tie about 1/4 inch and finger press a hem line into the fabric as you pin the tie to the top of the apron. Pin it along the top of the apron first and then work on the length of the tie. We just did a finger pressed 1/4 hem line on both sides of the tie as we pinned the tie together. Once it was pinned, we sewed the edges together with a 1/8 inch seam. Start at one end of the tie and sew the entire length of the tie even as it crosses the apron. Or you could sew the part across the apron first and then do each of the ends of the tie. It’s whatever is easiest for you.
Now you have one really cute apron! I love that it’s reversible too!
I think that the apron garland/banner is such an awesome addition to our party decor. When I think retro I just automatically think aprons and these aprons are totally giving off the retro vibe!
I just pinned them to the white table cloth and then we tied the ties together making cute bows. Don’t you just love when and idea you have in your mind actually turns out in real life?
This reversible apron tutorial would be fun to use to make any holiday aprons or just everyday aprons. If you know someone that loves aprons, this would be a fun and special handmade gift.
Don’t forget to check out all the details, food, drinks and printables from our 4th of July party, and if you love retro, check out the ribbon sandwiches I made!
Happy Sewing!
Liz
Comments & Reviews
T'onna @ USS Crafty says
These aprons are soooo cute! I love the apron with the stars and the one with the dots! I’m pinning these! And I agree that this apron would be fun to make for all holidays!
Navy Wifey Peters @ The Submarine Sunday Link Party