How to Sew a Vintage Apron

Sew a Vintage Half Apron

• 1

  Cut a piece of fabric about 2 inches taller than you want the finished apron, and about twice as wide. If you want, you can round of the lower corners of the apron. Fold the fabric in half first to keep it symmetrical, then trim the corners and unfold the fabric.

• 2

  Fold each edge of the fabric 1/2 inch toward the wrong side. Press the folds flat, then fold them over another 1/2 inch and press them again. Stitch along each folded edge to make the hems.

• 3

  Sew lace, rickrack or other trim along the lower edge and sides of the apron (optional).

• 4

  Set your sewing machine to the longest stitch length. Baste along the top edge of the apron, about 1/4 inch away from the hem stitching. Stitch a second row of basting about 1/4 inch away from the first row.

• 5

  Grasp both of the lower threads on one side of the basting and pull them to gather the fabric. Continue gathering until the apron is the width you want. (You may want to pull the threads on the other side as well to help keep the gathers even.) Spread out the gathers so that they’re even.

• 6

  Cut a piece of ribbon about 2 yards long. Match up the center of the ribbon with the center of the top of the apron.

• 7

  Overlap the bottom edge of the ribbon with the top of the apron, and pin them together. Stitch the ribbon to the apron. To wear the apron, wrap the ribbon around your waist and tie it in a bow at the back.