How to Make a DIY Apron Using Tea Towels

Whenever families or friends gather here there is typically food involved.  That often means cooking while trying to look presentable. One really simply way to keep neat and tidy is having an assortment of nice pretty DIY aprons.

Two things about me,  I am both very organized and a slob.  If I don’t keep my mind focused on putting things away, washing stuff as I work etc. I leave a hurricane of mess behind me. When I am baking alone and concentrating the kitchen stays nice, but if there is anyone around and I am visiting while cooking, I leave such a mess.  The last thing I think of is keeping my outfit clean.  With a cute functional apron, I look semi-tidy and once the meals done I can remove the apron and my outfit is still nice.

Aprons need to be large enough to be useful and making them yourself allows you to control how large they are.   This one is made out of a very large white flour cloth tea towel folded in half to give it a double layer.  Any type of tea towel will work and if the tea towel is smaller don’t fold it in half like I did.

DIY Tea Towel Apron Tutorial

This apron is so easy to make and can be done in less than half an hour.  It only needs three seams to make and attach the feminine bow.
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Supplies

To make a tea towel apron you will need.

A large pretty tea towel, and half a yard of pretty 36″ wide cotton fabric,  an iron, sewing pins and coordinating thread.

Make the Apron Ribbon Ties

The apron only has two parts, the tea towel front and the ribbon top that attaches to the tea towel and gives the apron ties.

Cut three strips 7 inches high, the entire width of your fabric.  Iron each strip, fold over the top and the bottom and press.
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The 36″ fabric is not wide enough for the entire width of the apron so one portion is used for the apron itself and the two other pieces become the ties.    I placed the seams of the ties to line up with the edges of the tea towel.

If your tea towel is really large like the one I used, fold it in half, otherwise use it unfolded to make sure its wide enough to cover the front of your body.

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Using the width of your tea towel measure the ribbon fabric. Measure an inch past the ends of your tea towel and cut.
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Place the centerpiece and one of the other strips good side together.  Sew an inch wide seam, and zig zag the two edges to seal the edges from fraying.   Iron the seam open and flat.  Repeat on the other side.

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Fold your fabric in half and press.  Then fold the end of the fabric over and press.
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Sew along the crease and trim the edge.

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If we sewed the strips closed now they would be narrow and very difficult to turn right side out.  Instead of sewing them now, turn the strip right side out and iron really well, making sure everything is square.

Attaching the Ties to the Tea Towel

Line up the edges of the tea towel with the seams of the ties.  Fold over the ties and pin everything into place.
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Sew along the edge of the ties on the portion as close and neatly to the edge as possible.   In the picture, I lined up the first line on my sewing machine with the edge of the fabric.

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Optional Embellishment

The little donkey is a simple embroidery pattern,  I thought about doing a simple applique but decided to do some embroidery because it’s been forever since I did any. If you have a pretty patterned tea towel you can skip the embellishment, or look for some vintage linens to use instead.
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I would love you to comment.  Would you consider making one of these even if it is sewn, and what do you think about the donkey?  Would you like me to do some posts on embroidery? Here is the link to the little donkey embroidery pattern.

If you enjoy handmade vintage style kitchen accessories, you may also like this simple tea towel tutorial.

Related Posts

While were talking about simple sewing projects using tea towels, I have two more ideas to share with you. Like these Fabric Drawstring Bags you can use for gifts, toys, or laundry bags.

This next craft is for a Fall Banner using Tea Towels , but you can use the idea with any seasonal towels you fall in love with.