An Even Simpler Child's Apron

You read that correctly....an even simpler apron.  After making the child's apron, I was able to improve on the pattern.  Barbara from Oodles and Oodles and I had gotten together for coffee the other day.  We had fun sharing projects we were working on and then Barbara shared with me a sweet Singer booklet she had received as a child.  Inside its gently worn pages was an apron design with an easy to sew waistband and ties.  This booklet made me realize it would be fun to revise my pattern especially if working with double fold bias tape as your waistband and ties is too difficult for your little one to manage sewing.

Here is An Even Simper Child's Apron:

Here is how I changed the apron pattern for the additional waistband and ties:

For the waistband, cut one piece of fabric 6" x 16".

For the ties, cut two pieces of fabric 6" x 36".

Follow the directions for the Child's Apron using steps 1 -5.  There is no change to the apron body and ruffle.

6.  Press under 1/2" on three sides of the waistband (6" x 16" piece).

7.  Run two rows of basting stitches across the top of the apron.  One row at 1/2" and the second row at 1/4".  Then gather the apron top to fit the waistband piece.

Sewing the two rows of basting stitches.

 

 

 

8.  Pin the gathered apron top to the waistband.  Sew a 1/2" seam.

9.  Press the seam towards the waistband and then stitch the waistband down to the apron.

 

 

 

Sewing the waistband down. Leave the sides open.  This will be where the ties are inserted.

 

 

 

10.  For each tie:  Fold the 6" x 36" piece of fabric in half right sides together and sew one small end and the entire length of the tie.  Trim seam allowance to 1/4" and turn the tie through the open end.  Press.  Insert the open end of the tie into the waistband. Sew the tie into place.

Repeat sewing the remaining tie and sewing into the waistband.  

This apron has two features that is an improvement over the other apron:

1)  sewing the 1/2" seam is easier for a very young child rather than the 1/4" seam; and

2) the big ties makes a pretty bow for the little one who enjoys dressing up.

The big ties are sometimes preferred by little ones.

Thank you Barbara for sharing your treasured Singer booklet!

Directions for a simple Child's Apron

I tried searching for a simple pattern to teach sewing to a young girl.  When I didn't find what I was looking for, I came up with the following apron design that uses minimal cutting and sewing, yet doesn't look like a potato sack.  I used two coordinating prints for this apron, but if you choose to only use one fabric, it will only take a half yard of fabric that is 44" wide.

What you'll need:
1/2 yard of 44 inch wide fabric or 14" of one print and 3" of coordinating print
thread
rick rack - optional
double fold bias tape for the waistband and ties
 
Here are the dimensions cutting your pattern.  1 square = 1 inch   The straight edge of the apron body pattern will be placed on the fold of the fabric.  The same with the ruffle pattern piece.

Your cut out fabrics should look like this:

Here are the steps to assemble using a 1/4" seam allowance:
1)  Sew a hem on the long edge of the ruffle (turn in 1/4" and turn in again. stitch the fold down)
2)  Sew a gathering/basting stitch on the other edge.  Gather the ruffle to match the bottom of the apron.  On my piece I had to gather to 32". 
3)  Pin the right side of the ruffle to the right side of the apron bottom matching the outer edges.  Sew a 1/4" seam.
4)  Press the seam towards the apron.  Optional:  Sew a piece of rick rack over the seam with a straight stitch.
5)  Make a hem along the outside edges of the apron and the ruffle (turn in 1/4" and turn in again and stitch the fold down).
6.  Make a gathering stitch along the top of the apron.  I gathered my apron to measure 13".
7.  Cut a piece of double fold bias tape 45".  Mark the center of the tape.
8.  Open up the tape matching the center of the tape with the center of the apron top.  Pin the right side of the opened tape up with the wrong side of the apron.  (You will be attaching the opened up tape and sewing it to the back first).
9.  Sew the tape and apron together stitching along the bias tape fold line.
10. Press the seam and fold the tape over to the front of the apron.  Pin the tape down on the apron.
11.  Starting from the end of the bias tape (which is now your apron tie) sew the bias tape closed all the way to the apron body.  Continue sewing over the apron body removing your pins carefully as you sew.  Finish sewing out the tape which creates the other apron tie.
12. Sew another row of stitching along the entire top of the bias top. 
13.  Your apron is finished when you tie a knot at the end of each of your apron ties!

Yippppeeeeee   You're done!  Enjoy!!