Gardening Apron Free Sewing Pattern

Pattern Description:

This is a DIY Gardening Apron pattern designed to protect clothes and organize essential gardening tools like snips, gloves, and seed packets in handy pockets. 

It is a simple, fairly easy project suitable for intermediate sewers that can be finished in an afternoon. 

The design requires less than a yard of fabric, with specific yardage detailed below, and features an adjustable tie making it one size that fits most.

Materials Needed & Measurements:

The entire project requires less than a yard of fabric. Medium weight cotton canvas is suggested, and fabric should be preshrunk.

Material/Component	Amount Needed (Supplies)	Dimensions (Cut Out)
Solid Fabric (for apron front, lining & tie)	½ yd	2 rectangles (apron front & lining): 13.75 x 20″; 1 strip (tie): 3.5 x 45″
Printed Fabric (for pocket front, lining & loop)	⅓ yd	1 rectangle (pocket front): 9 x 22″; 1 rectangle (pocket lining): 9.75 x 22″; 1 rectangle (loop): 3 x 4″
All-purpose thread	Coordinating colour	N/A
Metal D rings	2 (1″)	N/A
Tools needed (but not measured)	Sewing Machine, Iron, Basic Sewing Supplies (measuring tape, chalk, pins, scissors, etc.)	N/A

Instructions for Making the Gardening Apron Pattern:

Cutting Out the Fabric

Following the pattern dimensions, cut the fabric pieces needed for the apron. It is suggested that you first transfer measurements to paper, label them, cut out the paper pattern, and then use the paper pieces to cut the fabric.

• From the solid fabric (½ yd), cut:
  • Two rectangles (for the apron front & lining): 13.75 x 20″.
  • One strip (for the tie): 3.5 x 45″.
• From the patterned fabric (⅓ yd), cut:
  • One rectangle (for the pocket front): 9 x 22″.
  • One rectangle (for the pocket lining): 9.75 x 22″.
  • One rectangle (for the loop): 3 x 4″.

Assembling the Pockets

The standard seam allowance is ¼” unless otherwise specified.

• Take the pocket piece and the pocket lining piece. Match their upper edges with right sides together. Sew across the top.
• Press the seam allowances toward the lining.
• Flip the lining to the wrong side of the pocket. Align the lower edges of the lining and the pocket. The pocket lining (cut at 9.75″) is slightly larger than the pocket front (cut at 9″); this difference in size allows the lining to extend above the pocket to form a trim once pressed. Press this setup in place.
• Baste the sides and the lower edges together.

Constructing the Apron Body

• Pocket Placement: Mark the lower center on the apron front and the pocket. Place the pocket over the apron, ensuring the apron front is right side up. Baste the ends of the pocket to the apron. 

Match the centers along the lower edges of the pocket and apron and baste a 2″ line across the center to hold it in place. Note that the pocket is wider than the apron front.

• Dividing Pockets: Measure 6.75″ inward from each side of the apron and mark a parallel line extending through the full height of the pocket. Stitch along these marked lines. Backstitch at the top for additional reinforcement.
• Pleating: Fold a pleat into the pocket along the vertical stitched line. The pleat should fold toward the center so that the pocket lays flat against the apron. 

Press the pleat firmly and baste the lower edge to secure it. Stitch a 2″ vertical line from the lower edge, remembering to backstitch at the top.

• Shaping Corners: Use a chalk pen to sketch a slight curved line on one of the bottom corners of the apron. 

Cut off the corner portion along this line to round it out. Fold the apron in half and cut the opposite side to match the curve. 

Lay the apron over the lining piece (right sides together, matching all raw edges) and cut the lining corners to match the curved shape.

• Sewing and Finishing: Pin the apron front and lining together. Sew all around the perimeter except for the top portion. Trim and notch the corners. 

Turn the apron right side out through the opening left at the top. Press all the seam edges. Baste the top portion to close the opening. Top stitch the remaining edges.

Attaching the Tie and D-Rings

• Take the long tie strip. Place it along the upper apron edge with right sides together. Pin the tie in place, ensuring that 9.5″ of the tie length extends to the right side of the apron edge. Stitch in place along the entire apron top. Press the seams toward the tie.
• Fold the tie with right sides together, matching the ends and the long sides. Pin and stitch. Start stitching at one end, pivot at the corner, and stop 3″ in toward the apron.

Repeat this process on the opposite side. Trim the corner and the seams, then turn the tie right side out.

• Press the tie edges together. Fold the raw edges under beyond the portion you just stitched. Continue this along the entire length of the tie, creating a finished edge. In the middle section, the tie will sandwich the apron. Pin this central portion in place.
• Top stitch around the entire perimeter of the tie. While stitching the middle section, ensure you secure it to the apron along the inside edge by catching the underside of the tie as you sew.
• Attach the two 1″ metal D rings to the short end of the tie. Slide both D rings onto the tie end together (facing up). Loop the end around to match up with the back of the tie (approximately 1″ in). Stitch this in place.

Creating and Securing the Loop

• Take the small loop rectangle. Fold it in half lengthwise with right sides together, and stitch it, leaving the ends open.
• Turn the loop right sides out and press it, ensuring the seam is positioned at the middle back. Stitch close to the end of each raw edge to finish the ends. Trim any loose threads.
• Turn ½” under on both sides of the loop. Fasten the loop with a line of stitching above the pocket. Allow for slight slack in the loop so it can comfortably hold items such as scissors. You may attach the loop to the right or left side of the apron, depending on whether the wearer is right- or left-handed, and place it at a height that is comfortable.

Final Touches

Finally, clip any remaining loose threads and give the entire apron one last good pressing with the iron. The utility apron is now complete and makes a great gift for a gardener or crafter.

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