Apron in an Afternoon

Our summer has been filled with the sounds of wedding bells and I have been making aprons as wedding gifts. It is fun to find fabric to match the bride's personality. I also love to pair an apron with baking/cooking items from the couples' registry.

Pretty Pillowcase Apron

I was inspired to make pretty pillowcase aprons after receiving this apron as a gift from my sister. She is so creative; she found this pillowcase at a thriftstore and used coordinating fabric for the pockets and straps. I adore it!

Here's how to make this simple apron in an afternoon:

1. Find a good-looking pillowcase (I found mine at a thrift store) and coordinating fabric for the pocket(s) and ties. Wash and iron.

2. Hold it up to yourself and decide how you want the top to the look. I wanted the top to be thinner and curve out at the waist. Fold the pillowcase in half and cut the curve.

3. Make the waistband, 2 ties, and neckstrap: Cut four pieces of the coordinating fabric to the desired length and width. I cut 4 pieces of the same measurement (21'' x 6''). Start with the waistband; the waistband length has to be at least as long as the fullest part of the pillowcase. Press in half matching the long sides, wrong sides together. Stitch 1/4'' seam down the length of the fabric. Turn right side out and press. Topstich around 3 sides if desired. One short side can remain unfinished for the ties, both short sides can remain unfinished for the neckstrap and waistband. Repeat these steps to make two waist ties and one neckstrap.

4. Attach the waistband: Use pins to secure the waistband to the fullest part of the pillowcase.

5. Fold under the raw edges of the waistband. Press with an iron.

6. Attach the waist ties: Make a small pleat in each tie. Put the unfinished edge (pleat side) between the waistband fold. Topstitch 1/8'' to attach ties to waistband.

7. Attach the neckstrap: try on the apron. Pin the neck strap in place. You'll want to leave enough room for the apron to easily pull on and off. Tuck the unfinished edges of the neckstrap into the top of the apron. Stitch across entire top of apron. Stitch across the entire bottom of the apron also.

8. Make and Attach a pocket: I chose a simple square pocket to match the pattern of this fabric. You can make the pockets any shape or size. Sometimes adding embellishments like lace is a fun addition.

9. Try on that fabulous new apron! You may want to whip up one of these for yourself!