Apron Tutorial

I've had a few inquiries about the apron i made and the "burrito" or "tube" technique which ultimately hides your seams inside so when washing there wont be any fraying.  I thought the easiest way to show you all is through a TUTORIAL!!    its a bit lengthy but I'm about the details. i like to show LOTS of pics/visuals.  that's how i learn to do things.  :)

here is the apron i made before christmas.  loving my cows!  this apron gives you a chance to use some of those FQ piling up in your stash and lets you have some fun with aprons.  I've already made 5 of these.  I'm thinking i need one for each day of the week!  what a fun gift also.  you could give this, matching pot holders and some kitchen gadgets!!!  i could go on and on....but lets see how these things are made!

below is the one we are making today.  my hubby did a quick modeling for you :)
(he is straight in the door from work, hence the nasty white t-shirt and sweats LOL)

List of supplies:
1 fat quarter of fabric for the body (18x22)
1/2 yard of fabric for the bottom/top sash and tie.  (18 inches by WOF--width of fabric which is around 42-44)
thread
sewing machine
scissors
cutting mat and rotary cutter  (or just a simple scissors and ruler)


here we GO!
1-fat quarter
1/2 yard of fabric for handles/borders

cut your 1/2 yard of fabric into 3 sections.  all 6inches by WOF  (width of fabric--usually around 42-44").  be sure and cut off any selvage (bottom) edge.

iron your fat quarter and also trim this piece up so it is even and the edges are nice and straight.  ( cut off selvage if there is any)

take 1 of your 6xWOF pieces and cut it in half.  this piece should now be 2 pieces of 6x22(ish).  sometimes when removing the selvage it makes the WOF a bit shorter which is NOT a problem.  this apron is very giving in measurements.  you'll see this later.

ok, here is the FUN part.  take your 6x22ish piece and place is right side UP.  take your fat quarter piece and place the 22inch section right side DOWN.    NO PINNING YET.  make sure if your apron body has a directional fabric or words that this is the BOTTOM edge of your apron.  your words would be upside down. 

see, right sides together.

 now, roll up from the bottom end in a tube.  make it small but not tight.

 don't roll all the way to the edge.  now take your bottom fabric--the handles/sashing fabric--fold this up and over your apron body/tube. 

see....its a fabric burrito and a TUBE!  :)
DO NOT get any of the tube into the pinning section, because we are going to sew a seam here.

once this is pinned, sew a 1/4 inch seam all the way down.

remove your pins and pull the tube of fabric out.  you shouldn't need any type of a turning tool.  this should come out very easy. 

VOILA!!  the seams are INSIDE the tube and wont fray when washed.  WOOT WOOT.  now get that iron heated back up and iron this edge nice and crisp. 

i like to sew and give this piece a nice top stitched look.  you could get creative here and do all different types of decorative stitching too.



next....we aren't done with this bottom edge YET.  now take and fold the sides of your apron (the 18" edge)over twice. (towards the back of the apron)   i do about a 1/4inch seam x2.  I also iron it down, which keeps it in place when sewing.

  

sew this edge down.  this will not fray either when washing because your raw edge is inside.  how sweet is that??!!!

lets get to the top and get this girl done!
take your other piece of band/sashing fabric which you had cut in half earlier.  it should be around 6x22.  fold the sides over x1 about 1/4-1/2 inch.  iron this piece well so it stays in place when sewing.

lets do the burrito/tube method again!  right sides together, roll, pin and sew.

 when you pull the tube out, make sure you fold this end piece back inside.  this will give you a nice seam when sewing in your handles/ties.

 here is your apron body.  FANCY HUH?  if you have some overage on the top like i do its NO BIGGIE because once you add in your ties it will all blend together.  this is why your measurements have some give. 

time to make the ties/handles and we are in the home stretch.  fold one of your pieces of the 6x44ish tie fabric right sides together, so its a long piece (3x44ish).  pin if you don't trust yourself to sew this straight.  I'm a bad girl and don't pin a lot.  tisk tisk tisk.

 STOP sewing when you have about 6inches to go.  fold the bottom over into a 45degree angle.  i eyeball this and use my nail to make a crease.  sew down to the crease, with your needle in the down position, pivot your fabric and sew down your 45degree angle.

 this will make the nice decorative end to your ties.  after you sew down the crease, cut off the excess fabric you don't need.  repeat this process with the other handle/tie.

teehee)

 sew both sides and check out your handy work!!!  NICE JOB!  (except my little thread sticking out of the end HAHAHA)

 NOW you can top stitch all the way around the top sashing/tie/handles.  whatever you want to call those things. 

lastly,  put your apron on.....do a little dance around your house..... or go bake something.  channel your inner june cleaver. 

here is a picture of our completed apron....this time i grabbed my son to pose.  THANKS FOR THE NICE POSE BUDDY!  (he loves to read my blog) 

 these aprons can easily be made in an hour.  you could cut up a bunch and sew them all at once.  i love the options you have for the fabrics.  you could mix and match all different colors and patterns, add different decorative stitches, add a pocket on the front or sides.  seriously, have some fun with these!!

i have seen similar tutorials online for this apron, but i have changed and added a few of my own directions which worked best for me. this is the idea my sister and i brainstormed together and came up with. i hope you find it user friendly. 

SEWMUCH2LUV has a good apron tutorial and HERE is an older tut from a different blog.