Nothing beats a cool, retro style apron to make you feel like the hostess with the most-est. So whether you’re holding a New Year’s brunch, or a tea for two, tie on a party-proof print and be ready to toast!
Aprons are deceptively simple to make, requiring just a small amount of fabric and the most basic sewing skills. Why not give this sweet number a shot?
Today author Nathalie Mornu of instructional handbook A Is for Apron is here to share the “Kaleidoscope” apron by designer Angelina Williamson, who says, “I used pin-tucks to confer the formality of an obi or a corset. It was exciting to discover their value as both a structural and a textural element.”
Download the free pattern and complete instructions here or follow along below.
Kaleidoscope Apron
Materials:
Apron kit (fabric sheers, scissors, threads, pins, sewing needles, tape measure, sewing machine, iron and ironing board, water-soluble fabric pen, and transfer pencil)
Pattern (see download)
¾ yard (68.6 cm) of fabric for the front
¾ yard (68.6 cm) of coordinating fabric for the waistband, hem, and ties
¼ yard (22.9 cm) of batiste for the waistband lining
4 buttons (with holes, not shanks), 7⁄8-inch (2.2 cm) in diameter
Tools:
Spaghetti-strap turner
Seam gauge
What You Do:
Step 1: Enlarge and cut out the pattern pieces from the project download. Cut the front out of the main fabric and the remaining pattern pieces out of the coordinating fabric. Cut the waistband out of
the batiste.
Step 2: Overlock, serge, or zigzag all the raw edges of the front and hem pieces to prevent them from fraying.
Step 3: With right sides together, pin the hem to the front, starting from the center and working toward the edges to ensure the edges match up correctly. Stitch.
Step 4: Press the seam toward the hem, and then topstitch the seam down on the right side of the fabric.
Step 5: Turn to the wrong side. Press and stitch down the sides.
Step 6: Turn back to the right side, press the hem, and stitch it down.
Step 7: Turn the four tie pieces over, wrong side up, and press one end of each, so the right side is turned over to the wrong side.
Step 8: Pin two ties together, right sides together, and stitch the sides using a ¼-inch (6 mm) seam allowance. Repeat to create the other tie.
Step 9: Turn the ties right side out using the spaghetti-strap turner, and press them. Topstitch three sides, leaving the raw edge unstitched.
Step 10: With the right sides together, pin the waistband to the waistband lining. Stitch the sides, using a ¼-inch (6 mm) seam allowance. Turn the waistband right side out and press.
Step 11: Turn in the ends of the waistband ½ inch (1.3 cm) and press. Insert the raw end of each apron strap into the ends of the waistband. Pin them in place, and topstitch the entire waistband.
Step 12: Use a temporary-ink fabric pen to mark the center of the waistband at the top and the bottom. On one side of the center, use the seam gauge to make 15 small marks at the top and the bottom edges of the waistband at 1¼-inch (3.2 cm) intervals, starting from the center and working your way out. Repeat on the other side of the center mark.
Step 13: Fold the waistband at the center, wrong sides together. Stitch a seam ¼ inch (6 mm) in from the centerfold. Work from the center out toward one end (figure 1), and then turn the waistband around, and repeat to finish the other end. Refer to the marks you made to fold each tuck at the right spot. Stitch ¼ inch (6 mm) in from the fold each time.
Step 14: Using a temporary-ink fabric pen, mark the center of the waistband by measuring its longest vertical length and dividing that number in half. Pin the front of the apron to the point you’ve marked. Then pin the rest of the front to the waistband, keeping it centered along the waistband (figure 2).
Step 15: Use an uneven slipstitch to sew the apron front to the waistband.
Step 16: Sandwich the end of each apron tie between two buttons, and stitch the buttons to each other. Put it on and go out for ice cream. You’ll look as cool as you feel.
Many thanks to Lark Books for sharing this project with us!
For more hostess fun, try these searches:
Vintage Aprons | Vintage Tea Sets | Entertaining and Decor Gift Guid
51 comments
Sign in to add your ownfernfiddlehead says:
wow o wow. Great. Love it!
7 years ago
thepairabirds says:
I'm pretty sewing machine dumb. So, while the instructions seem easy, I'll just buy mine pre-made from Etsy sellers ;) As a side note, it would have been cool to have some aprons in the related items section.
7 years ago
JustJaynes says:
Great article! I love aprons.
7 years ago
KreatedbyKelly says:
I love aprons!! I sell a whole slew of them at festivals!!
7 years ago
myzoetrope says:
Ohh, this is a great project!
7 years ago
BluCille says:
I love the felt cakes!
7 years ago
BabbidgePatch says:
Oh I love aprons! My grandmother had many and I have a couple of hers with dainty lace edges and pockets! Great article and directions!
7 years ago
finchwork says:
What a cute project - one of my dear etsy friends - whistlingsparrow makes lovely aprons.
7 years ago
TeenAngster says:
So cute! I'm tempted to try this one!
7 years ago
girlsavage says:
Such a cute project and I just got a new sewing machine for Christmas to try it with!!!
7 years ago
TheSavageCabbage says:
I think a found my project for the weekend!
7 years ago
leafprintstudio says:
Lovely! Should I make one or buy one from the huge selection on Etsy? So many choices!
7 years ago
TheSavageCabbage says:
ooops, I meant, I think I found my project for the weekend.
7 years ago
2gorditas says:
I want one! Hmmmm...something to do this month!
7 years ago
LuLusPhotography says:
Yey :) Another project to do!
7 years ago
JustFeltHungry says:
Fab apron! Thanks!
7 years ago
retrothreadz says:
yay for vintage style aprons , just like momma use to wear I love them
7 years ago
PDXfabricdeli says:
The snack plates......adorable. Perfect for my kitchen. Vintage style apron are the bomb!!!
7 years ago
kingofmythrone says:
I have a sewing machine, but i don't know how to sew. Maybe I will have that be my New Years resolution. Learn to sew for 2009. This pattern looks doable...I think.
7 years ago
CloverNoire says:
Very lovely! Think I'm going to have to try this one on my new machine.
7 years ago
shopgoodgrace says:
oh my! Thank you for sharing! Great article, beautiful apron (with fantastic instructions), and fabulous Etsy finds!! :)
7 years ago
faeriesfolly says:
The buttons on the ends of the ties is my favorite part. XD Too cute.
7 years ago
AnthologiE says:
Not only can you look great as the hostess, but what a great hostess GIFT if you're not it!
7 years ago
handmade says:
love this! thanks =)
7 years ago
pinkshowercurtain says:
great picks! i'm going to attempt an apron. i love the etsy tutorials. they always inspire me to make something. yay! :)
7 years ago
PiperBags says:
I wear one every time I cook. Have a large collection, will add this one to it this weekend. Thank you!
7 years ago
flyingrhymes says:
Thank you for sharing! I'll have to try it out for the shop - and make one for me!
7 years ago
ClickityClack says:
I confess, I don't wear aprons. I just stick a towel in my jeans waistband or pocket when I am slopping around the kitchen. Aprons are a interesting part of our history and I love them even if I don't wear them. When my mother was teaching 4-H sewing, it was our first project. We did a "rip and sew" apron. You took a yard of fabric, ripped 2 strips off the length for the waistband and ties then gathered the yard of fabric to the waistband, added ties and hemmed the bottom edge and sides. The "powers that be" in 4-H had a fit.........Mom was supposed to have us all buy a pattern for the simple apron! Oh, and some of us used fabric from the feedstore. Chicken feed (and other feed too) used to come in colorful fabrics that could be used to make clothing. That would have been in the 50's. LOL
7 years ago
zakkaArt says:
aprons- my love!
7 years ago
ArtWhims says:
That is an awesome apron! I love the pattern... If only sewing was one of my better talents :D
7 years ago
raegunfabric says:
oh I love it, that book has been on my amazon wish list for a long time
7 years ago
kiddyup says:
Super Cute!!
7 years ago
voleurdebijoux says:
fabulously too chic! :)
7 years ago
ButtonToGo says:
Great design. I love the waistband treatment and the angles. Thank you for sharing.
7 years ago
PenguinettaAfghans says:
Wow. Really brings memories.
7 years ago
hearte says:
yes! thank you for sharing this! i've always wanted to make a cute little apron for myself.
7 years ago
ConstantGalore says:
i adore aprons and i adore these teacups!
7 years ago
stitchnvixen says:
um, dumb question, but how do you enlarge a pattern 400%?
7 years ago
qift says:
excellent work! thanks for sharing
7 years ago
timesandchimes says:
Neat shops represented here!
7 years ago
shelby1998 says:
super cute, i just might give it a go - thanks!
7 years ago
ArtSeeds says:
I have the book and have made an apron from it. Good directions with beautiful and inspiring photos. A great read!
7 years ago
christinececelia says:
LOVE IT! thanks!
7 years ago
waxandwool says:
Lovely tea time collection, that brooch especially - off to heart it NOW!
7 years ago
southerngirls says:
I love your aprons. Go to southerngirls and see my apron creations. They are fun for the Diva in you. new EtsyNameSpace.Mini(6722260, 'shop','gallery',4,3).renderIframe();
7 years ago
georgiamarbles says:
great apron! Please visit my shop and see mine!! i have a great selection of valentine ones!!
7 years ago
sewhappyjane says:
very cute! I love all the tea pot/tea related items as well.
7 years ago
PetticoatLaneDesigns says:
how do you enlarge it 400% ????
7 years ago
maryanne0308 says:
I bought the Lark book and learned too late that there are mistakes in the book, including the templates for this apron. Go to larkbooks.com and look in the "ask our experts" section to find the errata for this book.
7 years ago
feirahippie says:
I love this apron! The pleats on the waistband are so unexpected and retro. The fabric is really pretty too!
7 years ago
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1 year ago