DIY Christmas Gifts – DIY Children’s Apron

Playing dress up is such a fun activity for children and I love how it encourages both interaction and imagination. My littles are quickly outgrowing princess dress up. Sigh!! So this year I am making all the girls a simple apron and chefs hat. Add a fun cookbook for children to encourage her and some pretty and baking utensils and you have a unique handmade Christmas gift.

Choose any two coordinating fabrics you like I chose white to match the white chefs hat.

For the apron, you need a 1/2  metre (yard) of each coordinating fabric, and the super simple apron pattern.

Cutting the Fabric for a DIY Child’s Apron

Print out the pattern, you will find four pieces. Depending on your little one’s height you may want to remove the section labeled 3.

Fold your fabric in half and lay the long side of the pattern along the fold. Cut out two.

Cut out four of the pocket shapes

In the coordinating fabric you need to cut out:

One piece 3″ by 27″ inches for the ruffle.

Four pieces  2″ by 16″  for the neck ties.

Four pieces 3″ by 21″ for the waist ties, and one piece 3 ” by 20″ to make a sash for the front of the apron.

Two 1 1/2″ by 6″ strips for the top of the pockets.

Sewing the DIY Child’s Apron

Sew the Tie Strips

I felt the most organized way to sew this was to start by making all the straps etc  and then attach them to the main apron piece.  For all the neck and waist straps.  Iron your fabric strips flat, fold over the edges 1/4 inch and press well.

Place two of the fabric strips good side together and sew along one short end, to form the end of the tie.

Christmas DIY projects are almost done at our house,  I am so glad to quit steam cleaning, oven cleaning, and trying to get caulking put on the broken molding.  It’s time to think about crafting and my favorite part, gifts for the grandchildren.  Today I am sharing a tutorial for a DIY children’s apron.

Flip the fabric strips so the good sides are showing top and bottom.  Line them up and sew a narrow 1/4″ inch seam down each side.

Repeat for the remaining ties.

(Note:  Doing the ties this way creates a top stitch that matches the apron, and you don’t have to try and turn the long thin tubes of fabric right side out. )

Sewing the Pockets

Zig-zag stitch or serger the outside edges of your pocket pieces.

Place the two pieces good side together, and sew a 1/4 inch seam around the outside.

Turn right side out and press.

Place the small thin strip of fabric along the top of the pocket.  Fold the ends over and sew along the edge.  Repeat for the second pocket.

Sew the Ruffle

Take the 3″ by 27″ piece of fabric.  Iron flat, then fold over the bottom as narrow as you can.  Press, and then fold it over again.  Press and sew along the bottom.

Using either a zigzag stitch or a serger seal the top edge of the ruffle.

With a needle and thread, make 1/4 inch stitches along the top edge.  Leave the thread and set aside.

Assembling the DIY Child’s Apron

Take your two cut pattern pieces and either zig zag or serger along the edges.

Place the one piece good side up.  Pin the straps into place as shown.  Make sure that the unsewn ends are placed at the seam end.

Place the second piece on top good side down.  Pin in place.  Sew around all the outside edges with a narrow seam.  Except for the bottom, leave that open.

Once sewn, turn it right side out and press really well.

Adding the Ruffle

Fold the bottom two seams upwards 1/4 inch.   Doing it this way means your apron looks the same on both sides.  Place the ruffle between the two folded seams, adjust the ruffles so they are even, pinning as you go.  Pin along the very bottom seam holding the ruffle into place.  Then sew.

Finishing

Iron the entire apron smooth, Sew a top stitch 1/4 inch all the way around your apron.

Pin your sash so that it lines up with the two waist ties, and top stitch around it.

Finally, pin your two pockets where you want them and sew around the edge with a top stitch. Remember to keep the top unsewn.  My pockets were sewn 2 inches below the waist and 2.5 inches from the outside edge.  This is a guesstimate as my little ones aren’t nearby to measure.  I suggest seeing where they would fit best on your munchkin and then attaching them.

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The Chef’s Hat

I thought about designing my own chef’s hat for the girls but changed my mind. Instead I made them each a hat following this Adjustable Chef Hat Tutorial by Ikatbag. I especially love this chef hat design as it is adjustable. So handy for growing girls.

Want to save this idea for later? Pin it!