This apron is quite generous in size because a) I have a fat tummy and b) Joseph and Jon (Mr Plush) who will also be sporting these are men, and men need bigger things. Fact. I would suggest holding up a piece of fabric where you’d like the apron to sit and measuring it to get a size which suits you.
You will need
- 1 x piece of medium to heavy weight denim 22″ x 28″
- 2 x pieces of denim for the ties 3″ x 60″ (or 3″ x WOF – width of fabric – it depends on how long you want your ties)
- 1 x 22″ zip (Grab a cheeky 10% discount off your next Zip purchase with ZIPPEDUP10 One time use per customer.)
- 2 x pieces of home dec weight fabric for the inside pocket. Mine each measured 7″ x 18″ which gave me a long pocket along the inside back of the apron
- Denim thread
- Denim machine needles (I used a 90/14)
Step 1: Prepare Your Main Fabric
Cut and press your main fabric as detailed below. Overlock/ serge the edges (optional).
Step 2: Add embellishment (optional)
I decided to embroider our shop logo on to the front of the apron on the right hand side. This is entirely optional, but lovely! I placed the centre of the design (which measures 10 x 6cm) as below
Step 3: Add inside pocket
With RST (right sides together) stitch your 2 pockets pieces together and leave a turning gap of a couple of inches. Once sewn clip the corners.
Turn to the right side and press (a chopstick is very handy for poking out all of the seams)
Top stitch the top of the pocket only (see my top stitching tips here)
Pin your pocket on to the apron where you’d like the inside pocket to sit and stitch around 3 sides.
Step 4: Add the Zipper
Place the zip face down on to the right side of the fabric and pin/ clip (Wonder Clips are awesome for this). Think about which side you want the zip pull when closed (I placed it on the left as I’m right handed)
Stitch using your zipper foot. Once stitched press the fabric flat making sure the zipper tape is flat too.
Top stitch along the zipper using a longer stitch length (I used 3mm)
Repeat for the other side
Press your apron
Step 5: Make and Insert The Ties
Take your 3″ strips of fabric and press in half length ways. Then fold each edge to align with the centre you’ve just pressed and press again. You should have 3 pressed lines.
Fold in the 2 edges to the centre and then fold in half again. Clip.
Stitch the open side closed using a longer stitch length, I used 3.5mm as there’s 4 layers of denim here. Repeat on the other long side.
** Note that as my ties are the full width of the fabric the selvedges are at the end of each of my ties. I liked the tufty look so left them as they were but you might want to fold your ends in first if you want to conceal them)
To insert your ties turn your apron inside out and re-press along the top and bottom.
Insert your ties approx. 1″ from the top of the apron and clip/ pin. Sew along the sides with a 1/2″ seam re-inforcing the stitching 3 times or so over the ties and zip.
Repeat for the other side remembering to leave the zip partly open so you can turn your apron.
Step 6: Create the Divider Pockets
Turn your apron to the right side and press. Fold your apron in half and press again to mark the half way point to make your divider pockets. Mark the line with a fabric marker.
Sew along your marked line stitching through all the layers from the bottom of the apron to the zip.
You’re done! Congrats!
The darker denim apron is mine and I couldn’t resist inserting a pop of colour at the zip and I managed to use some Echino stag scraps I’ve been holding on to for ages for my inside pockets. Love him!
I hope this is helpful. If you make one please post to our Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages and tag us @plushaddict, thanks!
Here we are modelling after the event. I can report that they all held up well, and will see their next outing at Duxford Quilt Show!
(Grab a cheeky 10% discount off your next Zip purchase with ZIPPEDUP10 One time use per customer.)
