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SHORT PLEATED APRON

FABRICS
    • 3 / 4 yard (44″-wide) light- to mid-weight cotton print for the apron panel, pocket, and towel loop
    • 3 / 4 yard (44″-wide) coordinating light- to mid-weight solid cotton for the trim, waistband, and ties
    OTHER SUPPLIES
    • Coordinating thread
    • Yardstick
    • Chalk pencil or fabric marker
    • Scissors
    • Masking tape
    • Straight pins
    • Hand sewing needle
    NOTES
    • All seams are 1 / 2 ″ unless otherwise stated. (The 1 / 2 ″ seam allowance is included in all cutting measurements.)
    • Preshrink your fabric by washing, drying, and pressing it before starting your project.
    Step 1. Cut out all pieces from the fabric.
    a. Simply measure and mark the dimensions below directly onto the Wrong side of the fabric, using a yardstick and a chalk pencil. Then, using your scissors, cut out each panel following the marked lines.
    FROM THE FABRIC FOR THE APRON PANEL, POCKET, AND TOWEL LOOP ( FIGURE 1A-01 )
    • Cut 1 apron panel: 33 1 / 2 ″ wide × 22 1 / 2 ″ long
    • Cut 1 pocket: 5 1 / 4 ″ wide × 6″ long
    • Cut 1 towel loop: 2 1 / 2 ″ wide × 7″ long
    FROM THE FABRIC FOR THE TRIM, WAISTBAND, AND TIES ( FIGURE 1A-02 )
    • Cut 1 apron trim: 3″ wide × 33 1 / 2 ″ long
    • Cut 1 waistband: 5 1 / 2 ″ wide × 21 1 / 2 ″ long
    • Cut 2 ties: 6 1 / 2 ″ wide × 32 1 / 2 ″ long
    • Cut 1 pocket trim: 1 3 / 4 ″ wide × 5 1 / 4 ″ long
    b. In order to keep your pieces organized, mark each piece by writing the name on a piece of masking tape and attaching to the Wrong side of each panel as it is cut.
    Step 2. Make and attach the pocket.
    a. First, place the Right side of the pocket trim facing down onto the Wrong side of the pocket at the top raw edge. Pin the trim in place. Stitch a 1 / 2 ″ seam across the matched raw edges, backstitching at each end.
    b. Then, fold the pocket trim over onto the Right side of the pocket and press the top seam flat.
    c. Fold 1 / 2 ″ under at the bottom raw edge of the pocket trim, toward the Wrong side of the trim, and press. Topstitch * along the inner folded edge on the trim to enclose the raw edges and attach the trim. ( FIGURE 2C )
    * See page 172 for an explanation of topstitching.
    d. Now, turn the pocket over so the Wrong side is facing up. Fold in 1 / 2 ″ toward the Wrong side of the fabric down both sides and across the bottom raw edge of the pocket and press.
    FIGURE 1A-01
    LAYOUT A (COTTON PRINT FABRIC)
    FIGURE 1A-02
    LAYOUT B (COORDINATING SOLID FABRIC)
    FIGURE 2C
    FIGURE 2E, 3D
    FIGURE 5B, C, D
    FIGURE 6B, C
    FIGURE 6D, E
    e. With the Right side of the apron panel facing up, place the pocket Wrong side facing down, with the top edge of the pocket 4 3 / 4 ″ from the top edge of the apron panel and the left edge of the pocket 7 1 / 2 ″ in from the left raw edge of the apron panel. Pin the pocket in place and then attach the pocket to the apron panel by stitching close to the folded edges, down both sides and across the bottom edge of the pocket, backstitching at each end. ( FIGURE 2E, 3D )
    Step 3. Make and attach the towel loop to the apron panel.
    a. First, find the center of the towel loop by folding it in half lengthwise with the Wrong sides facing each other, and gently press a center crease.
    b. Unfold the towel loop and fold the long side raw edges in toward the center crease and press.
    c. Now, refold the entire towel loop together along the original center crease to enclose the raw edges, and press. Edge stitch * down both sides of the towel loop close to the folded edges.
    * See page 170 for an explanation of edge stitching.
    d. Place the towel loop on the Right side of the apron panel with the matched raw ends of the loop even with the top raw edge of the apron panel, and the left edge of the loop 1 1 / 2 ″ in from the left raw edge of the apron panel. ( FIGURE 2E/3D )
    e. Pin the towel loop in place and machine baste it to the apron panel with a 1 / 4 ″ seam