Hey everyone. Today we're making a cheerful patchwork apron, so a stack of pretty fat quarters turns into something you'll wear every single day.
Here we go.
First, the fabric
This one is the Backyard Wonder Fat Stack - Fat Quarter Bundle, from Free Spirit Fabrics.
What we know is right in its listing. It's a fat quarter bundle, and each piece measures 18 by 22 inches. The fabric is 100% cotton, with a soft touch and good durability. The collection is Backyard Wonder, and the tags credit Adam Trest.
The print story is a sweet one, folks. Birds. Trees. Floral motifs. The listing calls it a backyard wonderland, and that's exactly right. These serene, whimsical designs bring a little nature indoors.
A bundle like this is made for mixing. Let one print be the star. Let the others play backup. Just like that.
The project: a patchwork apron
An apron is the hardest-working thing in a kitchen. It catches the flour. It wipes the hands. It holds a recipe card in the pocket and still shows up for supper.
Ours is a simple half apron, about 18 inches tall and 28 inches wide, with a wide waistband and two long ties. The front is patchwork, so every fat quarter gets a turn. Three pockets run across the front, because one pocket is never enough.
Why does this fabric suit it? A fat quarter gives you an 18 by 22 inch cut, and that's plenty for apron panels. Cut each piece into rectangles, sew them side by side, and the birds and florals sit upright and easy to see. Cotton takes pressing well, washes well, and softens with use. And honestly, a nature print on an apron just makes sense. You're cooking with garden things anyway.
Materials list
- 1 Backyard Wonder Fat Stack - Fat Quarter Bundle (you'll use about 5 fat quarters for the front)
- 1/2 yard of quilting cotton for the lining
- 1 fat quarter or 1/4 yard for the waistband and ties, or use bundle pieces
- Thread to match, plus a contrasting thread if you want visible topstitching
- Rotary cutter, mat, and ruler
- Pins or clips, iron, and your sewing machine
Brief steps
Step 1: Cut your panels. From 5 fat quarters, cut rectangles 6 1/2 inches wide by 18 1/2 inches tall. That keeps the prints upright. Trim any piece that's a touch short — measure first, y'all, not after.
Step 2: Sew the front. Join the 5 rectangles side by side with a 1/4 inch seam. Press the seams open. You'll land right around 28 inches wide and 18 inches tall.
Step 3: Add the pockets. Cut a strip 6 inches tall by the full width of the front from another bundle print. Hem the top edge, sew it to the front along the bottom and sides, then stitch two vertical lines to make three pockets.
Step 4: Make the waistband and ties. Cut two strips 4 inches wide by 22 inches long for the ties, and one strip 4 inches wide by the apron's width for the band. Fold each in half lengthwise, sew, turn, and press.
Step 5: Put it together. Layer the front and lining right sides together, catch the band and ties in place at the top, and sew around with a 1/2 inch seam. Leave a 4 inch gap, turn it right side out, and press. Then topstitch all the way around at about 1/8 inch. That closes the gap too.
Practical tips
Prewash your fat quarters first. Cotton can shrink a little, and an apron will get washed a lot. Better to shrink it before the seams do.
Watch your print direction at Step 1. I have sewn a bird in upside down before. He looked surprised. He stayed, though, and honestly he's my favorite part now. If you flip one, it's not ruined. It's a story.
Reinforce the pocket corners with a few backstitches. Pockets take real pulling, especially when somebody stuffs a phone in there. Slow down right at those corners and let the machine do its work.
And here's your permission beat, as always. Your seams do not have to be perfect. You're your own worst critic, and nobody at the stove is inspecting your stitching. Take your time. It's not a race. Use every print, or just three for a calmer look. Completely up to you.
Want a matching gift set? One more fat quarter makes a simple drawstring bag for the apron to travel in. Super duper cute, and it uses up the pieces you loved too much to toss.
Thanks for sewing along with me today, y'all. If I can do this, y'all can do it. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Backyard Wonder Fat Stack - Fat Quarter Bundle at Linda's Electric Quilters.
