Housewife Apron Tutorial

I can admit it, I'm a kid toting, school volunteering, carpool driving mom. I pretty much fit the stereotype of a housewife on every level. I saw an apron through etsy and it appealed to me on so many levels. The more I studied it, the more I knew that I was a housewife and this apron sealed the deal.

I love aprons and wear them all the time. My mom always wears an apron, my grandma always wears an apron, and now it's my turn. I'm also a messy cook, so wearing half aprons, while cute and adorable, doesn't keep my clothes clean. Usually, though, by dinner time they aren't clean anyways, but that's a whole nother post. So, I like my aprons to cover the top part. I also don't like to always think about sucking it in, you know, at least I hope you know. So I loved that this one didn't tie around my waist.

Anyways, I've made several aprons, and shared them on my blog. This is no exception - except I'm going to try to explain how I did it. I was kind of hesitant if it would turn out and just kind of hacked away, but I'll do my best. The instructions are very sketchy - but hopefully you get the gist.

I cut 2- 5 1/2" x 22" strip for the top bodice. I cut a 24"x 44" rectangle for the apron skirt. I gathered the skirt onto the bottom of the bodice strip.

Next, I cut 4" x 22" strips for the straps. I folded them in half, sewed them, turned them right side out, and top stitched the edges. I found the middle of apron bodice, measured over about 4" on each side and pinned the strip, right sides together. I wish I had brought them closer together, though. You could sew the straps, but I didn't yet. I lined up the other bodice strip, and sewed the top, making a liner. So I had it laying down in this order: The apron with the gathered bodice, the straps, and then the liner.

I turned the liner to the wrong side, and pressed under 1/4" to the bottom. Then I pinned it over the gathered seam.


For the straps that tied in the back, I cut 2 - 44" x 5" strips. I like these straps plenty long, so I can easily tie them behind my back. I folded over both the long edges 1/4" and stitched it. Then, I just stuffed the straps into the side openings of the bodice and pinned.
Next, I top stitched around the bodice. This encloses everything.

Next, I tried it on, and threw the shoulder straps over my shoulders. I had guessed where the hit the straps that tied in the back and pinned them. You see the strap that looks like a bag handle on the left of the picture below? That's where your arms go through.

My shoulder strap was a little long, so I just folded it up to make it tight like I wanted it and then stitched it.



The main apron part is done. I added pockets, because I love pockets. I just stuck my hand on a piece of fabric and measured a rectangle around it. I cut out 2. I folded each edge 1/4", and stitched the top edge down.



I put the apron back on, and marked where I wanted them. I stitched around both sides and the bottom.



Give it a good press, clip all the stray threads - and go be that house wife! I got my sister in law to model for me: