Hey everyone. Today you are going to learn how to sew a simple kitchen apron that lets one big eagle print do all the talking.
Here we go.
Meet the Fabric First
This one is American Freedom #35 Lt. Blue Big Eagle from Marshall Dry Goods.
It is 100% cotton. It is 45 inches wide. It is sold by the yard.
That light blue background is soft and easy. That big eagle is bold and proud. Put them together and you get a print with real presence.
You do not need tiny piecing here. You do not need applique. Cut it big. Center the eagle. Let the print show. Just like that.
The Project: A Kitchen Apron
We are making one adult apron. Finished size is about 28 inches wide by 32 inches long.
That is good coverage for real cooking. Why does this fabric suit it? Three good reasons.
First, 100% cotton is easy to press. Crisp hems matter on an apron. Cotton gives you those crisp edges, and it stays comfortable to wear.
Second, the 45-inch width works beautifully. One yard gives you the whole apron body in a single panel. No piecing a front together.
Third, that eagle needs space. An apron front is one big flat panel. Nothing gets chopped into tiny pieces. We are not reinventing the wheel here.
Materials List
- 1 yard of American Freedom #35 Lt. Blue Big Eagle for the apron body and pocket
- 1/2 yard of a coordinating cotton for the neck strap and waist ties, or about 3 yards of sturdy cotton webbing
- All-purpose thread to blend with the background
- Rotary cutter, ruler, and cutting mat, or good fabric scissors
- Pins or clips
- Iron and pressing surface
- Sewing machine with a standard presser foot
One yard makes the body and one roomy pocket. Want a longer apron? Get an extra half yard. Completely up to you.
Cutting the Pieces
Cut the apron body at 29 inches wide by 33 inches long. That includes your hems. Center an eagle on that panel if you can.
Cut one pocket piece at about 9 inches wide by 8 inches tall. A scrap from the same yard works great.
For ties, cut two waist ties at 3 inches by 36 inches each. Cut one neck strap at 3 inches by 24 inches. Webbing skips that step entirely.
Take a second before you cut. Make sure that eagle is not upside down. Ask me how I know. Yep. I have done that.
Brief Steps
Step 1: Hem the sides and bottom. Fold each edge under 1/4 inch, press, then fold another 1/4 inch. Stitch close to the folded edge, about 10 to 12 stitches per inch.
Step 2: Shape the top. Mark in about 6 inches from each top corner. Angle down about 9 inches to the side edge. Cut along that line, then hem those angled edges the same way. Hem the top edge the same way, too.
Step 3: Make the ties. Fold each tie strip right sides together. Stitch the long edge with a 1/4-inch seam. Turn it right side out and press. Or simply cut your webbing to length.
Step 4: Attach the ties and strap. Pin one waist tie to each side, right at the top of the side hem. Stitch a small box, then an X inside it. That box stitch holds strong. Attach the neck strap to the top corners the same way.
Step 5: Add the pocket. Hem the pocket top edge. Fold the other three edges under 1/4 inch and press. Center it about 6 inches below the top. Stitch the sides and bottom.
Step 6: Final press. Press the whole apron flat. Tie it on. Done. Just like that.
Practical Tips From My Kitchen
Press before you sew. I know. Pressing feels slow. But a pressed hem sews straight. A wavy hem fights you the whole way. Really really simple fix, y'all.
Watch your eagle placement, too. Fussy cut that body panel. If the eagle sits at the very edge, part of it disappears into a hem. Give it at least an inch from every cut edge.
Slow down at the tie boxes. Those stitches take real strain when you tug the ties.
And here is your permission beat, friends. Your hems may wobble a little. Your pocket may sit a hair off center.
It does not have to be perfect. You are your own worst critic. Nobody at your table is grading seams.
Take your time. It is not a race. If I can do this, y'all can do it.
Alrighty. Thanks for sewing along with me today.
We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the American Freedom #35 Lt. Blue Big Eagle 45" wide Fabric per yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
