Gardening can be a muddy business so let’s bring a splash of colour to the potting shed with this apron.
This sturdy companion, with a trio of generously sized pockets and easy release belt, will keep tools on hand and provide a safe space for harvested goodies.
We’ve also added some complementary accessories with wrist straps; they are the work of moments and a super handy for those most used tools.
Get comfortable sewing with canvas and learn how to sew mitred corners by making this project.
Skill Level: Confident Beginner Seam-Star
You Will Need:
For the apron:
- Apron: 50cm square Cotton canvas
- Pocket: 53x29cm Cotton canvas
- Thread
- Belt: 1 metre 38mm Polypropylene webbing
- Buckle: 40mm Delrin buckle
Per wrist strap:
- 1 Keyring fob/ split ring
- 40cm 25mm Polypropylene webbing
We Used:
Apron:
- Apron
- Central pocket
- Side pockets
- Thick ribbon
- Thin ribbon
- Yellow Thread
- Pink thread
- 40mm webbing
- 40mm Delrin buckle
Wrist strap:
Want to follow along with printed instructions instead? We’ve got you covered!
Click the button below to download this step-by-step printable tutorial.
Boring Legal Bit: If you follow any tutorial or guidance found in this post, or on this blog, you agree to be bound by our disclaimer which can be viewed here
Step 1: Cut your fabrics
Cut out the following using the measurements above:
1 apron piece
1 pocket piece*
For fabrics with a directional pattern, please note that the 29cm measurement will run top to bottom on the finished apron.
* For colour blocked pockets: cut 2 side pocket pieces 15.5x29cm and a middle pocket piece 26x29cm. Join using a 1cm seam allowance.
Add the Ribbon Detail
Step 1: Make marks on the central pocket piece 10cm and 15cm from the bottom right corner working along the bottom edge (26cm) and up the side (29cm).
Draw diagonal lines joining the 10cm and 15cm points
Pin the wider ribbon along the 15cm line and the narrower along the 10cm line.
Sew the ribbon in place then trim the ends so they align with the edge of the pocket piece.
Step 2: Assemble the pocket
Align one of the side pocket pieces with one side of the central pocket piece and pin.
Repeat with the other side pocket piece then sew them both with a 1cm seam allowance.
Tidy the seam allowance; zig zag stitch or overlocking are ideal.
Mitre the corners
The following steps apply to the bottom 2 corners (3 sides) of the apron piece and all 4 corners of the pocket piece:
Step 3: With the fabric facing wrong side up, turn over 2cm of fabric along each side and press.
Step 4: Fold the raw edges under to the crease and press forming a 1cm border.
Step 5: Starting at one corner open out the 2cm hem on both sides, keeping the 1cm creases folded.
Step 6: Fold over the corner, the creases will have formed a small square. Align the 2 sides of the small square with the two 2cm creases on the underside of the napkin.
Step 7: Finger press along the crease.
Step 8: Unfold the corner and mark out the fold line.
Step 9: Fold the corner in half bringing the 2 right sides together.
Step 10: Pin and sew along the marked line.
Step 11: Trim the seam allowance to 3mm and clip the end.
Step 12: Turn out the corner, use a turner to shape the point.
Step 13: On the apron, press then sew all the borders with a 1cm seam allowance, on the pocket only sew the top border.
Step 14: Sew the apron
Fold over to the back and press the top 1cm of fabric on the apron piece.
Step 15: Fold over another 4.5cm and press.
Want to follow along with printed instructions instead? We’ve got you covered!
Click the button below to download this step-by-step printable tutorial.
Boring Legal Bit: If you follow any tutorial or guidance found in this post, or on this blog, you agree to be bound by our disclaimer which can be viewed here
Step 16: Sew a line of stitching along the bottom edge to form the belt casing.
Step 17: Add the pocket
On the pocket piece, press pairs of 1cm wide concertina folds 10cm from each short edge of the pocket piece.
Step 18: Fold the apron and pocket pieces in half and hand press along the creases.
Step 19: Measure and mark a line 4cm up from the bottom of the apron.
Step 20: Align the bottom of pocket piece with the 4cm line matching up the 2 central creases.
Step 21: Position and pin the concertina folds so the centre of them is 13.5cm from the outer edge of the apron.
Step 22: Sew 2 lines of stitching, 5mm apart, along the centre of the concertina folds.
Step 23: Position and pin the edge of the side pockets 3.5cm from the edge of the apron.
Step 24: Sew 2 lines of stitching,1cm apart, along the edge of the side pockets.
Step 25: Sew 2 lines of stitching, 1cm apart, along the bottom edge of the pocket piece. Ensuring the folds are sewn in place.
Step 26: Finishing touches
Thread the webbing through the belt casing by folding the webbing lengthways.
Step 27: Release the Delrin buckle and add a piece to each end of the webbing. Secure the female end with 2 lines of stitching.
Step 28: The wrist strap
Cut and seal a 40cm length of 25mm webbing.
Step 29: Align the 2 ends and fold the webbing in half.
Step 30: Insert the ends into the fob clasp and press with keyring pliers.
And tadaaah! All finished 🙂
Well done seam-star!
Want to follow along with printed instructions instead? We’ve got you covered!
Click the button below to download this step-by-step printable tutorial.
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