Pocket Apron

It’s so much fun to make an apron! Or two or four.
They’re a quick sew.
There are endless options.
They make great gifts.

They look cute from both the front and the back.

And mostly, I just love an excuse to use one of my favorite prints from the BLUSH fabric collection—Dutch Blooms.
Ahhhh! I want to sew this fabric into everything. And this print works great for an apron, because it really shows off that retro flower design.
(Parfait Pouch–zipper pouch—HERE)

So let’s make aprons!
We’ll make a Basic Apron first, and then we’ll add a pocket.

FABRIC
Start by picking a fun fabric. Isn’t that the best part of any project?? (Well, other than seeing the finished product.)

• You need appx 1 yard of fabric.
• Use a variety of fabric types: Quilting Cotton, Dishtowels, Lightweight Terry Cloth

DIMENSIONS
Cut the following pieces in these general sizes.
Apron Skirt:
Adult – Cut 1 piece, 34″ x 20″
Child – Cut 1 piece, 26″ x 16″
Apron Waistband:
Adult – Cut 2 pieces, 40″ x 5″ and piece them together to make one long 80″ x 5″ strip (see video below).
Child – Cut 2 pieces, 35″ x 4″ and piece them together.

If you’re using a fun gingham print or something that looks awesome on the diagonal—you can cut your pieces on the bias! (Find out more about cutting on the Bias HERE.)  For my gingham apron, I cut the waistband and pocket pieces on the bias, but left the skirt on the grain. Do what feels “right” to you!

Okay, we’re ready to sew!
I’ve compiled all the steps into one of my videos. Just hit the play button on the image below. (Or, if it isn’t showing, you can watch it HERE).
And then continue below for the Pocket Tutorial…..

ADD A POCKET
With your apron sewn, let’s add a pocket!
There are SO many ways you could do this. I’ll show you a couple options to get your wheels spinning.

BASIC POCKET (refer to photos below):
Finished Dimensions – 6″ W x 7.5″ L (Adult) • 5″ W x 6″ L (Child)

• Cut a piece of fabric – 6.5″ x 9″ (Adult) or  5.5 ” x 7.5″ (Child)
• Press the top of the fabric UNDER a 1/2 inch, to the wrong side of the fabric.
• Then flip the fabric over and press it OVER 1 inch to the right side of the fabric.
• Sew a basting stitch (a temporary stitch that won’t be seen later) around the pocket. Start at the top of one side, sew down the side, around the bottom, and back up the other side, using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Do not sew across the top folded edge (see the middle 3 photos below). This is such a fun trick for getting great folded edges around your pocket!
• Now turn the top of the pocket right side out, and the sides will naturally want to fold in. Use the iron to press the sides and bottom edges over to the wrong side of the fabric (press them over just past the visible stitching—the stitch line works as a guide to help you get an even press all the way around the pocket).
• Finally, topstitch across the top of the pocket, 1/8 inch away from the edge of the first fold.

• Now sew your pocket to your apron! Simply pick a spot on the left or right of the apron skirt that feels right to you. Pin the pocket onto the apron, and sew around the sides/bottom, 1/8 inch from the edges.

OR….try out some options! It might be fun to embellish the pocket with some bias tape trim sewn across the top. Or you could sew a fun patch onto the pocket, applique, embroidery. Tons of choices.

And there you go! One adorable apron.

Of course you know I can’t stop there. I LOVE OPTIONS.
So, one more idea is to make a Piping Pocket. I’ve shown you how to do this before on  a pair of shorts:

And on pillows:
And in a video here.
It just adds that fun pop of color around a project.


PIPING POCKET (refer to photos below):
• Cut two pockets pieces appx 6.5″ x 9″ (or  5.5 ” x 7.5″ for Child size, or ANY size you want!). One piece is the outer pocket; one is the lining. Trace around a cup at the bottom corners to get curved edges, if you’d like.
• Press the top edges (of the outer pocket, and lining pocket) under a 1/2 inch (this will help in a later step, when sewing the top closed)
• Create your own Piping HERE or use store-bought piping. You need 3/4 of a yard—about 25 inches.

• Start with the outer pocket piece. Line up the the raw edge of the piping with the raw edge of the pocket, and sew it in place using your zipper foot attachment (or use a piping foot if you have one! More info in my Piping video here).
• When you’re done, the piping will naturally pull the edges of the pocket under. You could simply hem the top of the pocket and sew the pocket onto your apron as-is….but I like to polish it off with a lining.
• Grab the lining pocket piece, lay it over the outer pocket, with right sides together. And stitch around the piping again, still using your zipper foot.
• Tuck the tops of the pocket IN to the pocket, and sew the top closed.
• Place the pocket on your apron, pin it in place, and sew the pocket in place! You can use your zipper foot again for this, or a standard foot. I like to sew as close as I can to the piping, so I get that stitch-in-the-ditch look.

Whichever pocket you choose, you’ll have a stylish looking apron.
As I said in the video, don’t judge if you see me around town, wearing my apron like it’s a new trend.
Maybe I’ll make it a trend!

And if you have any leftover bias strips, don’t toss them out! Pull those babies through the bias tape maker, and make some bias tape! Of course it looks cuter with a little scrap paper glued to cardboard. Hey, you could gift that, along with an apron, to your sewing friend for their future projects. In fact, throw some bias tape IN the pocket!
PERFECT.Now have fun dreaming up all sorts of apron variations. This version is uber simple—just a store-bought placemat, with bias tape sandwiched around the top. No gathering stitches needed!

And I’ve rambled long enough, that now I’m ready for lunch.
Happy sewing and lunching!

  1. 1) DEBORAH

    Love this. I learned how to make an apron in hommaking a bit more than 50 years ago. But this is an awesome reminder and tutorial for those that who don’t know how. Thank you so much.

  2. 2) Sheila Perl

    I love the buffalo check gingham apron, so pretty!!
    Can you show how to make a bib front apron?

  3. 3) Laura scott

    Love LOVE getting your emails and quick and inspiring projects! Oftentimes, making one of your projects gets me primed and moving to jump in to one of my bigger projects. You bring me joy. God bless you and all the amazing artisans you feature.

    • 4) Dana

      That’s such a nice thing to hear! Thanks so much Laura. Have fun with your sewing, whether small projects or big. 🙂

    • 5) Linda

      I agree! Dana you are awesome and a gift!
      And I think about you each time I go to Palm Springs for a work trip. Always eating at the restaurants you recommended.
      Thanks for everything!!

      • 6) Dana

        Haha. Awesome! Oh man…..I would DIE to have a Bill’s pizza here in TX! 🙂
        Enjoy!

        • 7) Fatima

          I’m from UAE and I made an apron watching your tutorial and this is the first time I try sewing… it looks amazing all my friends love it …. I’m a banker and always busy so never tried anything like this before… since the outbreak of Corona virus I’m working from home and have plenty of time trying something new. I think you for your lovely video I love it

  4. 8) Geri

    Hi Dana, how much fabric do you need for ruffling? For example, making a dusting ruffle.

    • 9) Dana

      Just depends how gathered you want something to look. If you want it very ruffled, do 2-3 times your length. If you want it semi-gathered, try 1.5 times.

  5. 10) Susan Sanders

    I love your channel on YouTube and your website! You are teaching me so much! I can’t wait to buy some of your cat material in blue!!!
    Thanks again!
    Susan

  6. 11) Karen Miller

    Hi Dana, I love your videos. I love that you break things down into simple easy steps. I used to sew garments but now that I am older I love craft sewing where you basically only have to sew straight lines. My hands and fingers don’t do what they used to so I love your easy crafty pieces. I have a question. I made my first fabric bin last evening following your instructions. It turned out well but was very bulky at the corners. I used Pellon 809 interfacing with cotton team fabric but I think it was too much. I have also made fabric baskets with Pellon 40 which was also too much. Can you recommend a sturdy but lighter interfacing that provides strength but with less bulk? Thank you so much. ❤️

    • 12) Dana

      Hi Karen,
      You can use a lighter-weight interfacing but it will not have the same effect. You will likely end up with a floppy bin. You can always try trimming down the seam allowance a bit to help with the bulkiness….but my recommendation is to keep trying the process as-is! See if you can improve on it, because it will make your bin nice and sturdy.
      Hope that helps!

  7. 13) Tiara

    I was struggling to figure out what I would make to donate to a ladies fellowship retreat next weekend and I stumbled upon this tutorial! I cannot tell you how happy I am about this pattern. So quick and your video instructions really is so helpful!
    I’m thinking I may try to make the tie ends have a 45 degree angle on then but I’m not sure if it’s possible.

    Thank you!

    • 14) Dana

      Oh good! Yay! The angled ends of the tie will look cute!

  8. 15) em

    I am so happy to have found you!
    Thank you for your superb video on making the cushion with piping. Your instructions are very clear and so inspiring to watch.
    I love it.

    • 16) Dana

      Aw thanks EM! Welcome aboard! Have fun with your sewing projects 🙂

  9. 17) Gabby

    Hello. How much fabric do I buy at the store to make the entire apron with the waistband? Also love you so much your blog and vids are so awesome and you are such an inspiration! 🙂 <3

    • 18) Dana

      About 1 yard of fabric! (depending on the size of the adult) But for most adults, 1 yard is good.

  10. 19) AMy

    Hi! Can you please make a short video on how to make the pocket because I just started sewing and it’s not making sense to me haahha thanks!

  11. 20) patty

    I’m wondering what type of fabric you used on the retro flower apron. It looks so soft and has a nice drape to it.

  12. 21) Michele Harrison

    My doughtier-in-law wanted a half apron, I had no idea what that was. I stumbled on your video and since then I have made 3 of them for her I showed them to other people and now they want me to make some for them. Thanks for the video.

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