How to Sew an Apron

Learn how to sew an apron using the free vintage basket apron pattern below. Proudly wear your own handiwork or if you haven't the time to make one, get one of Cindy's Beautiful Handmade Aprons for yourself or as a gift to someone special on your gift list.

Aprons are beautiful and very practical too. You can always use several. Grandma always a couple for everyday use, and a fancy one to wear on special occasions.

Grandma loved to wear her aprons around the house and out in the garden too. It's hard to picture her without her wearing one. She always kept several hanging in the pantry cleaned and pressed ready for life's little emergencies.

Grandma also kept a smaller apron handy for those special times when one of her granddaughters asked to help out with the baking.

Learn How to Sew an Apron

United States Department of Agriculture (1944)

Designed for double duty, this simple tie-on basket apron, also known as a harvest apron, equipped with shoestrings in the edge casings, can be quickly transformed into a basket for carrying in such things as apples or clothes pins. It leaves both hands free.

Attractive and totally practical, this may be serviceable round-the-house or by pulling the drawstrings, you have a basket for carrying in roasting ears, freshly laid eggs, or a mess of peas.

Here's how to sew an apron that's both attractive and practical:

Make this homemade apron of sturdy cotton — 1 yard is enough — and use strong, smooth cotton shoestrings in the edges. You'll need four 36-inch shoestrings.

Draw 1-inch squares on a 23-inch by 38-inch sheet of paper and draw the basket apron pattern on the squares as shown.

Work four eyelets — one at each of the four places indicated on the hem. Turn the hem and stitch it.

Thread two shoestrings through each side casing. For a good hand grip, let 2 or 3 inches of one string hang from top eyelet, 2 or 3 inches of the other string hang out the lower eyelet.

Cut off the opposite end of each string and bar tack it just back of the eyelet.

Pull the strings, drop the ends inside, and you have the basket pictured above. The cotton shoestrings will not slip until you grasp the edges of the apron firmly back of the eyelets and pull.

Take pride in having learned how to sew an apron! Enjoy wearing it and be prepared to receive compliments.

Source: National Agricultural Library, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Watch How to Sew an Apron

Follow Professor Pincushion's step-by-step YouTube video and make an attractive vintage half apron decorated with contrasting cotton fabric, decorative rick-rack, long ties, and a handy pocket.

Materials Needed:

• 5/8 yard cotton fabric
• 1/3 yard contracting fabric
• 1 package medium rickrack
• All-purpose thread
  

Pattern Dimensions:

• Main apron = 32 x 14 inches
• Straps = 44 x 3 inches (2 needed)
• Pocket = 5-1/2 x 5-1/2 inches
• Contrasting bottom = 32 x 5 inches
• Contrasting top band = 17 x 6 inches
  

Visit the Professor Pincushion website for numerous learning-to-sew videos and a membership offer.

Lacking the Time to Make Your Own? …

Get Cindy's Handmade Aprons

Want the BEST apron? Buy one of Cindy Best's beautiful creations! My friend Cindy has a unique flair for style, color and fabrics, and her comfortable aprons reflect her eye for fine detail. Just look at the sample aprons below and imagine yourself wearing it.

Each of Cindy's creations gets her special attention. Note the beautiful floral fabric trim and the delightful mother-of-pearl buttons to give it shine. You'll love the one-of-a-kind value.

Cindy's aprons are all handmade with old fashioned quality and value sewn in. You'll love her flattering functional styles thoughtfully designed to bless the wearer. Just look at the sample below, isn't it beautiful?

Wouldn't you love to be wearing one of Cindy's apron creations while serving your guests? To avoid disappointment, be sure to place your order today.

Also take a peek at Cindy's decorative pillowcases. Grandma always treasured a soft, beautiful pillow that helped her relax in her favorite chair after a busy day.

Cindy's gorgeous pillows are all hand-crafted one-of-a-kind creations. They make a wonderful gift for any occasion.

Cindy's handcrafted aprons are perfect for gift giving too, but you will also want one or two of Cindy's ready-to-wear aprons hanging in your own kitchen.

You may already know how to sew an apron but haven't the time. Let Cindy create and sew a beautiful apron for you.

Visit Cindy's So Many Buttons Studio at Etsy! And be sure to tell her that I sent you.

Grandma's Favorite Aprons

Knowing how to sew an apron is a handy skill to have. Aprons are beautiful and practical, and you can always use several. Grandma found many uses for her aprons round-the-house, and you are bound to find many practical uses for yours too.

Aprons not only protected Grandma's clothing from flour and grease spatters, they also served as a handy potholder, a clean towel to wipe her hands, a soft cloth to dry a little one's tears, and a ready basket to carry fresh eggs from the hen house.