Pattern Description:
This is a Child’s Apron pattern that is simple to stitch up and makes a great gift. It is designed to coordinate with the Ruby Lou Bag pattern and features a small top pocket.
The pattern is sized for a small child, originally size 4-7, but is quite forgiving in terms of sizing. Instructions are also provided for a larger size 8-12.
Materials Needed & Measurements: Equipment
The pattern recommends the following equipment and tools:
- Sewing Machine (BERNINA or Bernette recommended)
- Basic Sewing Tools
- Cutting Mat
- Quilt Ruler
- Pins
- Hera Tool
- Curved Corner Ruler (optional)
Supplies
The necessary supplies include:
- ½ Yard Fabric for Skirt
- ¼ yard fabric for Apron Top
- 1 Fat Quarter Fabric for Pocket
- ½ yard Fabric for Ties
- 1 package ric rack
Instructions for Making the Child’s Apron Pattern:
Step One: Create the Pocket
To begin construction, the pocket pieces must be prepared. Use a Curved Corner Ruler, a plate, or an old CD to round the bottom two corners of your two pocket pieces.
Next, place the pocket pieces right sides facing and stitch around the edge, making sure to leave a 2-inch opening at the bottom of the pocket. Once stitched, turn the pocket right side out and press it well.
Step Two: Create Ties
This step involves creating both the shoulder straps and the waist ties.
Shoulder Straps
To make the shoulder straps, fold one of the shoulder straps in half lengthwise. Stitch along the outside edge using a ¼-inch seam allowance.
Ensure that one end of the strap is left open while the other side is finished by mitering the end.
After stitching, turn the strap right side out; a turning tool may be helpful for this step. Repeat this process for the second strap piece.
Waist Ties
Fold the Waist Tie pieces in half lengthwise, placing them with right sides facing. Stitch down one long side and one short side using a ¼-inch seam allowance. Turn the piece right side out and press. It is recommended to miter the ends, similar to how the neckties (shoulder straps) were finished.
Step Three: Apron Top Assembly
The apron top is constructed by incorporating the pocket and the shoulder straps.
First, pin the sewn pocket piece to one of the Apron Top pieces, ensuring the pocket piece is positioned in the center.
Stitch around the edge of the pocket, remembering to backstitch at both the top and the bottom. Next, pin the two shoulder straps to the top of this apron top piece, positioning them ½ inch in from the edge, and stitch them in place.
Finally, pin the other apron top piece to the sewn piece (right sides facing). Stitch around the top and the two sides using a ½-inch seam allowance, taking care not to catch the straps as you sew. Turn the assembly right side out and press; the bottom seam will remain open.
Step Four: Apply Ric Rack
Prepare the skirt by rounding the bottom two corners of the Apron Skirt piece. Stitch a piece of ric rack to the outside edge on the right side of the apron skirt piece.
The ric rack should rest on top of the edge of the skirt, and you will stitch right down the middle of the ric rack.
Turn the ric rack to the wrong side of the fabric and press. Finish this step by topstitching the right side of the fabric.
Step Five: Skirt Gathering and Waistband Attachment
Find the center of one of the waistband pieces and the center of your apron skirt piece. Run two lines of gathering threads along the top of the apron skirt piece, setting the machine stitch length to a 6.
- For Size 4-7: Pull up the gathering threads until the skirt piece measures 12 inches wide.
- For Size 8-12: Pull up the gathering threads until the skirt piece measures 16 inches wide.
Pin the right side of the gathered skirt to the right side of the marked waistband piece, making sure the center of the skirt matches the center of the strap.
Note that for size 4-7, the gathered 12-inch piece will not extend the full length of the 18-inch waistband ends.
Stitch the skirt to the waistband with a ½-inch seam allowance, stitching the top of the skirt to the bottom of the waistband piece (right sides facing).
Press along the seam, flipping the waistband piece up and pressing the seam allowance toward the waistband. If desired, this seam may be topstitched along the edge of the waistband.
Step Six: Final Assembly and Finishing
- Attach Apron Top Piece
- Find the center of the sewn apron top piece. Place it on the top of the right side of the apron skirt/waistband piece, on the side of the waistband that does not have the skirt stitched to it. Stitch the apron top in place with a ½-inch seam allowance.
- Attach Waist Ties
- Pin one of the sewn waistband straps to the edge of the waistband piece. You will need to “pleat” the sewn straps so that they fit inside the waistband with ½ inch left on each side of the strap. Baste this strap in place and repeat the process for the other strap on the opposite side of the waistband. It is important to ensure that the waistband ties remain tucked in toward the center of the apron during the remaining steps of construction; pinning them is recommended to prevent them from slipping out.
- Attach the Waistband Lining and Finish
- Create a “sandwich” where the apron top acts as the “meat” and the waistband and waistband lining pieces act as the “bread”. Pin the second waistband piece (the waistband lining piece) to the sewn waistband/apron top piece along the top edge and sides of the waistband, but not the bottom. The waistband lining and waistband pieces should be right sides facing.
- Stitch the waistband lining with a ½-inch seam allowance, beginning at one side and stitching all the way around the top of the waistband to the other side. Again, do not stitch the bottom. Turn the waistband lining right side out to the back of the apron and press. The waist ties will “pop out” upon turning. Finish the apron by folding under the raw edge of the waistband lining and hand stitching it in place, though machine stitching is also an option. As an optional extra finishing touch, topstitch the top of the center strap just below the seam connecting the apron top and the center strap.
