Today I have a fun sewing project to share with you, this Child’s Apron pattern. It’s pretty simple to stitch up and would make a great gift for your favorite kid! If you like this project then you may also like the Ruby Lou Bag sewing pattern.
A few years ago I wrote this Child’s Apron sewing pattern for the blog. Recently I’ve gone in and updated and refreshed the tutorial AND added video instructions. I hope that you enjoy the updated project!
Table of Contents
I adore making things for kids. I think that children’s sewing projects must be some of my favorite sewing projects. When my girls were small I stitched up Easter dresses and skirts and aprons like they were going out of style.
Now that my girls are older, I don’t make them Easter dresses anymore. Although, I did just make my daughter a summer skirt to take with her on her internship this month. I have a tendency to jump at the chance to stitch something up for a little one.
Child’s Apron Sewing Pattern
I designed this Apron to coordinate well with my Ruby Lou Bag sewing pattern. There are lots of cute illustrations in designer fabric collections to fussy cut for the pocket of the bag. The small pocket at the top of the Apron is the same as the sweet little on the kid’s purse.
Kids Apron Sizes
This apron is sized for a small child, probably about 5 years old. Since it’s an apron sewing pattern it’s pretty forgiving as far as sizing goes.
Aprons are pretty forgiving as far as sizing goes. The one in the photo that I wrote the original tutorial for is a size 4-7.
If you’d like to make an apron that is kids size 8-12, I’ve listed those measurements separately BELOW the cutting directions.
If you’re looking for an adult-sized apron then I recommend this Apron Tutorial instead.
Video Instructions
We are so excited to announce that we now have a video to help you create this apron. You can find the video on our Polka Dot Chair YouTube channel, or in the instructions below.
The fabric on the apron above is from my Summer Picnic Collection with Riley Blake Designs.
Childs Apron Pattern
Equipment
- Curved Corner Ruler optional
supplies
- ½ Yard Fabric for Skirt
- ¼ yard fabric for Apron Top
- 1 Fat Quarter Fabric Fat Quarter for Pocket
- ½ yard Fabric for Ties
- 1 package ric rack
Instructions
Cutting Directions For a size 4-7 Apron:
- For Skirt Cut:
- 1 piece 24″ x 14″ (it is 24″ wide and 14″ tall- the 24″ will be gathered)
- For Apron Top Cut:
- 2 pieces 7″ x 7″
- From Pocket Fabric Cut:
- 2 pieces 4 ½″ x 4 ½″ – note for this step I made sure to fussy cut the fabric so that the illustration I wanted was in the center of the pocket.
- For Shoulder Straps:
- 2 pieces each 3″ x 18″
- For Waistband:
- 2 pieces each 3″ x 18″
- For Waist Ties:
- 2 pieces each 6″ x 30"
Cutting Directions/Changes For a Size 8-12 Apron:
- For Skirt Piece Cut:
- 1 piece 17″ x 29″ (it is 29″ wide and 17″ tall- the 29″ will be gathered)
- For Apron Top Piece Cut:
- 2 pieces, 9″ x 9″
- Pocket Piece is not changed: 2 pieces, 4 ½″ x 4 ½″
- Shoulder Straps:
- 2 pieces 3″ x 24″
- Waistband:
- 2 pieces 3″ x 20″
- Ties:
- 2 pieces 6″ x 40″
Construction Steps
Step One: Create the Pocket:
- Using a Curved Corner Ruler, plate, or an old CD, round the bottom two corners of your two pocket pieces.
- Place the pocket pieces right sides facing, and stitch around the edge, leaving a 2″ opening in the bottom of the pocket.
- Turn the pocket right side out.
- Press well.
Step Two: Create Ties
- To Make Shoulder Straps;
- Fold one of the shoulder straps in half lengthwise
- Stitch along the outside edge using a ¼″ seam allowance. Leave one end of the strap open and miter the end of the other side of the strap. Turn the strap right side out. For this step, I find it helpful to use a turning tool (linked above).
- Repeat for the other strap piece.
- Make Waistband Strap/Ties:
- Fold the Waist Tie pieces in half lengthwise with right sides facing. Stitch with a ¼″ seam allowance down one long side and one short side. Turn right side out and press. I recommend mitering the ends as you did for the neckties.
Step Three: Apron Top
- Pin the sewn pocket piece to one of the Apron Top pieces.
- Make sure the pocket piece is in the center of the apron top piece. Stitch around the edge of the pocket, making sure to backstitch at the top and the bottom of the pocket.
- Pin the two shoulder straps to the top of the apron top piece, ½″ in from the edge. Stitch in place.
- Pin the other apron top piece to the sewn apron top piece, right sides facing. Stitch around the top and two sides with a ½″ seam allowance making sure not to catch the straps as you sew.
- Turn right side out and press. The bottom seam will still be open.
Step Four: Apply Ric Rack
- Round the bottom two corners of the Apron Skirt piece.
- Stitch a piece of ric rack to the outside edge of the right side of the apron skirt piece. The rick rack will be on top of the edge of the skirt and you will stitch right down the middle of the rick rack.
- Turn the rick rack to the wrong side of the fabric and press.
- Top stitch the right side of the fabric.
- Step Five: Skirt Assembly
For Size 4-6:
- Find the center of one of your waistband pieces.
- Find the center of your apron skirt piece.
- Run two lines of gathering threads (set your machine stitch length to a 6) along the top of the apron skirt piece.
- Pull up on the gathering threads until your skirt piece is 12″ wide.
- Pin the right side of the gathered skirt to the right side of the marked waistband piece, matching the center of the skirt with the center of the strap. The gathered shirt will NOT extend to the waistband ends as the gathered piece is 12″ and your waistband piece is 18″.
For Size 8-12:
- Find the center of one of your waistband pieces.
- Find the center of your apron skirt piece.
- Run two lines of gathering threads (set your machine stitch length to a 6) along the top of the apron skirt piece.
- Pull up on the gathering threads until your skirt piece is 16″ wide.
- Pin the right side of the gathered skirt to the right side of the marked waistband piece, matching the center of the skirt with the center of the strap.
For All Sizes:
- Stitch the skirt to the waistband with a ½″ seam allowance. You are stitching the top of the skirt to the bottom of the waistband piece right sides facing.
- Press along the seam you just stitched. Flip the waistband piece up so that all fabrics are right side up, pressing the seam allowance towards the waistband.
- If desired, topstitch this seam along the edge of the waistband.
Attach Apron Top Piece:
- Find the center of the sewn apron top piece.
- Place it on the TOP of the right side of the apron skirt/waistband piece on the other side of the waistband (the side of the waistband that does not have the skirt stitched to it). Stitch in place with a ½″ seam allowance.
Attach Waist Ties:
- Pin one of the sewn waistband STRAPS to the edge of the waistband piece. You will want to “pleat” the sewn straps so that they fit inside of the waistband with ½″ left on each side of the strap. Baste in place. Repeat with the other strap on the other side of the waistband.
- Note: Make sure that the waistband ties stay TUCKED in as shown in the illustration above during all of the remaining construction steps. I like to pin mine in place so they don’t slip out.
Attach the waistband lining:
- You are going to make a “sandwich” with the apron top as the “meat” and the waistband and waistband lining pieces as the “bread”.
- Pin the 2nd waistband piece (this is your waistband lining piece) to the sewn waistband/apron top piece along the top edge of the waistband right sides facing, pinning around to the sides of the waistband but not the bottom of the waistband.
- Photo is from another apron I made, construction steps are identical.
Finishing:
- Make sure that the waistband lining and waistband pieces are RIGHT SIDES FACING.
- Stitch the waistband lining with a ½″ seam allowance beginning at one side and all the way around the top of the waistband to the other side. Again, do not stitch the bottom. Make sure the waist ties are “tucked in” towards the center of the apron as shown in the illustration above)
- Turn the waistband lining right side out to the back of the apron and press. The waist ties will “pop out” when you turn it right side out.
- Fold under the raw edge of the waistband lining and hand stitch in place to finish the apron. You can also machine stitch it if you like.
- For an extra finishing touch, topstitch the top of the center strap just below the seam between the apron top and center strap.
Video
Notes
More Apron Patterns you May Like:
Kids Apron Made from Laminate Fabrics
Halloween American Girl Doll Apron Pattern
Giving this as a gift?
Stitch up a set of cute pot holders to match!
Original post date June 25, 2018.
Rose M Grant says
I just made this apron for my granddaughter Max. My theme fabric was giraffes as she loves animals! It is so cute and your directions were great! I got it all done in one afternoon.
Marianne says
Darling finished product shown on your website, but I found the directions most confusing, particularly in regard to the two long strap sections. Is there a missing photo or missing sentence or two?
Rachel says
Are the 2 long strap sections sewn together before we are attaching them to the skirt and top?
They are folded in half and sewn and turned right side out. Is that what you meant?
Linda Minnick says
Is the “bottom of the skirt” the 14″ side or the 24″ side?
The 24
Andrea says
Love this pattern. I made an apron for my granddaughter who is delighted with it. I’m just about to size one up for me – minus the ric rac!
Ann E Burton says
I’d like to make this for a 10 year old, but am thinking the pattern as stated will be a bit small. Any suggestions?
Jackle says
I have the same question – im thinking about adding 2 inches on to the top and bottom. any thoughts?
That would be a good place to start. You can always make the skirt less gathered. You might also want to make the ties for the waistband longer
Angela Sagely says
I would like to make this for my 10 year old granddaughter. What measurements would you suggest? Thank you
Honestly, I don’t know. I’m sorry.
Jackie Kirkman says
I am almost finished with the apron but the last part has me confused where Im going to stitch around the edge and skip the part where the strap is attached to the skirt. Then you say to turn the right strap inside and out and stitch the opening in the strap skirt closed. Please advise. Im so frustrated now. 🙁
Rachel Street says
Just made this apron and its fantastic. I’m very much a novice sewer and this was perfect. Took a bit of thought sewing the final strap piece – sewed it on the back instead of on top to start with and had to unpick, but it is very clever! Will be a great birthday present for my niece.
Jemima says
Hi,
I was wondering for the skirt piece if it was the 14″ or 24″ side that had to be curved.
It’s the corners that are curved. not the sides.
Dolores Roland says
I’m making one for my 10 yr old great grand daughter and plan to use the 8 to 12 measurements.
Dolores Roland says
Finished my first apron and I’m an experienced seamstress but still had to pick out a lot of seams. Not that your instructions were not clear i should have printed a copy as i needed to refer to it often . My memory is not as good as it used to be. Love the apron and I’ve started the 2nd. Need 6 for Christmas .
cecelia says
i’m having a problem puttin the center straps. can you give more detail. i’m not a real experienced sewer. if the strap is sewn on how do. add the next strap on top and still make the ends and turn
Mary Ann Dorer says
My daughter asked me to sew an apron for my five year old granddaughter and yours will be perfect. Thank you.
Hannah says
Thank you for this tutorial! I am a beginner and I was able to use it to make three aprons for my nieces. They turned out great and I learned a lot of new skills!
Martha says
I love this apron for my own little baker! But my daughter is looking for a craft apron with sleeves that would cover her dress sleeves. Do you have a pattern like that? Could you create a pattern that covers her arms? Thank you!
Pam says
I have a question about the waistband in the child size. The instructions say to gather the skirt to 12″ and attach to the waistband. In the cutting instructions it says to cut the waistband 18″. I wondering if the waistband cutting measurement should be 13″ x 3″ instead.
No, the skirt is shorter than the waistband piece. The measurement is correct as listed.
Kristine says
Very cute pattern! I’m wondering if the ties are a bit long though. My granddaughter lives out of state so I’m unable to double check the size. Perhaps the bow is meant to be on the big side. Fun pattern to sew – thank you!
Mary says
I want to make this for my daughter, but she’s two. I think the 4-7 size will be too big. Do you have any suggestions for sizing down? Thanks!
Hi
I don’t think it will size down that small easily. You could try it and just make the skirt shorter but I think it would still be too big.
Kate says
Do you have a picture of the back of the center strap where you hand sewed? I’m not sure what it’s supposed to look like.. That would be helpful! Great post!
Barbara says
On the skirt bottom, does the long side of the rectangle go along the waist? I’m thinking so as when it wouldn’t be very gathered if going across the shorter side.
yes
Judy Kurtzweil says
Just need to confirm what we do with the extra three inches on each side of the waistband when we are pinning the ties on it? It looks from the pictures that it only hangs over 1/2″ or so. Thank you! Love the apron, just a little confused.
That extra makes the waistband. If you look at an apron, the “skirt” does not usually run all the way around the body, it’s just in the front.
Diane Valentine says
On the bottom piece, does the 14″ side go to the waistband gathered down to 12 inches and the 24in side run up and down? I know this has been asked before in a different way but i am still confused as the picture seems contrary to the previous answers. Sorry and thank you.
It’s 24″ wide by 14″ tall. The 24″ gets gathered to 12″ wide.
Sue says
I’m making this for my niece for Christmas. I’m a bit confused on how the waist ties are attached. Were they also supposed to be folded in half and sewn, like the ones on the top with angled edges. I’m so confused. A picture of the back would be helpful. Thank you.
Yes, it is noted in the directions to do that, it’s right under the how to make the neck ties section: “Make Waistband Strap/Ties:
Fold the 6″ x 40″ tie pieces in half lengthwise with right sides facing. Stitch with a ¼″ seam allowance down one long side and one short side. Turn right side out and press. I recommend mitering the ends as you did for the neck ties.”
Renee T Roberts says
The waist band instructions are extremely confusing – need more detail and pics would be super helpful. I am pretty experienced and I am lost. Help!
During those steps make sure that you’ve “flipped” the waistband piece up after it’s sewn to the skirt. The skirt gets attached to one side of the waistband and the apron top to the other side. That seems to be the step that many people have missed. It does work I promise! I’ve had dozens of people email me photos of their projects.
Debbie Vanderzwaag says
Thank you so much for your pattern. I made a lovely apron for my grand daughter. I found your instructions very clear. The only thing I would suggest is that the one edge of the waistband lining be pressed under 1/2″ before making the sandwich. When you flip it over to do the hand stitching that edge is already neatly folded under.
Again thank you for sharing your creativity!
Thank you for your kind words! I really appreciate it! Your tip is great, thank you for taking the time to share it!!!
Kelsey says
What does “baste in place” mean?
A basting stitch is a long stitch on your sewing machine (like a 5 or 6 stitch length). Since it’s a short stitch it’s only meant to “hold” something in place but is not very secure. In this case you use it to hold the pieces in place until you sew a seams later that is more secure. Basting stitches are really easy to unpick. That’s why they are used.
Lesley Kayan says
I’m in the middle of making this apron in size 4-7. I’m very confused re the Cutting Directions and wonder if the Waistband and Waist Ties dimensions might be reversed. You list:
•Waistband:
• 2 pieces each 3” x 18”
•For Waist Ties:
• 2 pieces each 6” x 40”
Are the Waist Ties really wider than the Waistband? Your photo does not reflect this.
The waist ties are folded in half during the construction process. That is why they are twice as wide.
Lesley Kayan says
Please disregard my previous question! I figured it out. As you might guess I was thinking I needed to fold the Waistband in half. 🥴
Anna says
I did it! My 5 year old Granddaughter outgrew her small vintage apron and requested a new one. You instructions were perfect. I did have to watch a youtube video on the waistband from another seamstress. It turned out beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
Susan Roman says
I just finished making my granddaughter the larger size for her birthday. I was a little confused doing the waistband, but thankfully figured it out and it looks beautiful. I will be making many more of these for Christmas gifts this year.
Rebeca Fisikelli says
Apron came out beautifully. The final step is definitely a little tricky to coordinate, but if you think it through it works perfectly. Biggest thing I had to figure out is in the diagram where you add the straps, you should have the waistband piece oriented with the right side facing. and the wrong side of the apron bib showing, since it is folded down. That is maybe a key piece of info that is missing from the pattern. Loved the finished piece, thank you for the pattern!
Patsy Dabney says
Thank you sor the step by step directions. I made the child’s apron with a few adjustments for one of my granddaughters. I lined the apron, added pockets to the skirt and used a panel for the bib. She is turning 7. I am happy to send pictures. I think you would be pleased. Thanks again for all your help. Patsy Dabney
K. Curtis says
Thank you for the pattern! I’m working on my first apron, currently! Such a cute pattern and the instructions are great. In the pattern for size 4-7, did you intend to say “24 inches” instead of “30 inches”? (see pasted text below)
For a size 4-7 Apron:
From Skirt Fabric Cut:
1 piece 24″ x 14″ (it is 24″ wide and 14″ tall- the 30″ will be gathered)
Thank you.
Lee Rice says
I made two aprons for a friend’s grand-daughters with leftover material I had at home. I used bias tape for the shoulder straps and waist ties as I didn’t have enough fabric. The aprons are adorable! And the contrasting bias tape added a fun pop of color to the design. The directions, along with the video, made the pattern easy to follow and reference. Thank you for a fun project.
Renee says
Thanks for posting the video. It helped my brain figure out the turning the waistband step.
Karla Bennett says
I have not sewed for years and then my son asked me to make an apron for his daughter. This apron was so fun to make. Thanks for sharing your talent with us.
Rachel says
Thanks for this awesome tutorial!!! Between the written instructions and the video, I was able to make it with very minimal confusion or issues. Came together quite quickly and I am thrilled with the final product. I can’t wait to give it to my daughter for Christmas!
I’m so glad it was helpful for you!
Lisa Marie says
Love this apron! I had no problem following your instructions, especially with the video provided. The only issue is the 40” length for the waist ties on the larger kids size is really too long. I think keeping them at 30” would have been better.
Luisa Baum says
Thanks so much for the free apron pattern, I needed one in a hurry and it was so fast and easy, I didn’t use Ric rac or pockets and I sewed it all by machine. Excellent pattern and instructions.