I love the simple and sweet look of a breezy Apron Top in the summertime. I’ve wanted to make a top like this for a while and finally put aside some time to figure it out how to do it. This Girls Apron Top came together so quickly that I wanted to share the tutorial and free pattern with you today!
*Note, I just reedited the main photos, but this project was originally posted in 2012.
(Looking for more free patterns? Be sure to check out my free patterns and tutorials page here.)
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Here is the back view. So adorable, I love the little fabric loops!
My daughter had mentioned she wanted me to make her something purple. Luckily, I hit Hancock fabrics on the right day last month and most of their cotton fabrics were 50% off. I thought she would really like this butterfly print, so I grabbed a yard, plus a few others. I also really appreciate it when I find gingham fabrics that are already printed on the bias. (Saves me effort and money!) (Unfortunately Hancock Fabris has closed their doors, but Fabric.com has a huge selection of butterfly fabric. I especially love this line and it even has coordinating ginghams!
I made her a pair of coordinating shorts from a pattern I picked up off Etsy. Here is the link: Ceci Shorts
Girl’s Apron Top Tutorial
Materials needed to make your own Apron Top:
- +/- 3/4 yard of fabric
- well fitting t-shirt for tracing
- ruler
- fabric marker
- iron
- my printable pattern or paper to create your own pattern (I like to use freezer paper)
- Scissors, plus any other basic sewing supplies you might need
Tips:
If sizes two to six is not what you need, here are instructions on how to make a basic bodice from a well fitting top and how to tweak that bodice pattern to make the apron bodice pattern.
(Seam allowances are 1/4 inch unless otherwise stated.)
Instructions:
Step 1: Printing pattern and cutting the fabric pieces.
Print pattern, tape together and cut out 2 bodice pieces. (One is outer bodice, the other will be the bodice lining.)
For the straps:
Cut 2 pieces 40 inches by 2.5 inches.
Bodice bottom:
To calculate the width needed for the bodice bottom, measure the bottom of the pattern and multiply that measurement by 3. This is measurement A.
To determine length (height) of fabric needed for the bodice bottom, hold the top bodice piece to your child and measure down how far you want the apron top to go. Add 3/4 inch to this measurement for seam allowances This measurement is “Measurement B”.Cut a piece of fabric Measurement A (width) by measurement B (height)(Example: for my 5 yr old, I cut mine 31 inches wide by 13.5 tall)
Fabric Loops:
Cut 2 small pieces 2 inches by 4 inches for the back loops.
Step 2: Sewing the shoulder straps and back loops.
Fold shoulder straps in half long ways, right sides together. Sew along one end and down the side.
Turn the strap right side out and press. Grab the fabric loops and press both as shown.
Sew along the open side on both strips.
Step 3: Assembling the bodice top and lining.
Lay out one bodice piece, right side up. Line up the raw edges of the straps with the raw edges of the bodice top 3/8 inches from the edge. Pin in place.
Line up the fabric loops, looped side in, 1 1/4 inch from the edge. Pin in place.
Sew the straps and loops securely in place, a little less than 1/4 inch from the edge. Back stitch a couple of times. Trim any uneven edges so all raw edges are even.
Lay the 2nd bodice piece over the 1st, right sides together. Sew along the edges as shown, stopping 1/4 inch from the edge.
Clip the inner corner and flip the bodice piece right side out.
Press the seam edges flat.
Step 4: Attaching the Bodice Bottom.
Grab the bodice bottom. Hem both sides by folding over 1/4 inch, press, fold over another 1/4 inch, press again and sew a straight stitch, right along the edge.
Next, determine which side of the bodice is the front and which side is the lining. Fold the bottom edge of the lining in 1/4 inch, and press. (Lining only)
To gather the top edge of the bodice bottom, change the stitch length on your machine to the longest setting. Sew a straight stitch along the top, 1/4 inch from the edge. Pull on the bobbin thread while holding the fabric. You should be able to slide the fabric down. Keep sliding the fabric along the thread, gathering the fabric of the bodice bottom until the gathered width is the same width as the bodice top.
Next, right sides together, line up the gathered edge of the bodice bottom with the raw edge of the front piece of the bodice top. Pin in place.
Sew right over the gathered edge. Remove the pins and finish this gathered seam edge with a serger, pinking shears or a zig zag stitch on your machine.
Fold the lining back down over the gathered edge.
Press the gathered seam flat, with the seam pointing up. Pin the lining edge in place from the front side and top-stitch the bodice top from the front side. If you miss any of the back folded edge, you can do a simple whipstich to secure the edge.
Step 5: Finishing the bottom edge.
The measurements I gave you at the top include 1/2 for a folded hem. To make the folded hem, simply fold the edge over 1/4 inch, pres, fold over another 1/4 inch, press again and sew along the folded edge.
Since I used 2 different fabrics, I wanted to bind the bottom edge in the contrasting fabric.
To do this, cut a strip of fabric 2 inches tall by the width of the bodice bottom plus a couple of inches (just to be safe…) Iron and fold the same way you did the fabric loops. Then sandwich the bodice bottom between the folded fabric, pin and sew. Tuck in the side edges for a finished edge as shown below.
And you are done!
For a little extra detail, I made 3 rolled flowers and just pinned them on.
If you make something with this tutorial, be sure to come back and post a photo of your finished top on my facebook page for everyone to enjoy or tag me on Instagram, using the #scatteredmompatterns!
Our Delightful Home says
Great tutorial! This is so adorable.
Amy says
Darling! So sweet and summery!
Jessica at Me Sew Crazy says
this is adorable, and your photos are fantastic. Very cute.
Melanie says
So sweet…wish I could sew better than I do! I'd love for you to come link this up at my Tuesday Time Out Party – open all week!
simona says
it looks like an easy to follow tutorial. that's good since i'm not too great at sewing yet… thanks for all the work you put into this post. the apron top looks adorable!
Betty says
so cute – how about a tutorial for the shorts?
Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom says
Hi Betty, I had to break down and buy a pattern for these shorts. She had outgrown all her cotton shorts so I had nothing to trace! Here is the link to the pattern: http://tidd.ly/f8d41d87. I used them in this project as well: http://scatteredthoughtsofasahm.blogspot.com/2012/03/i-made-my-daughter-cutest-little.html
Printabelle says
Very cute! Great idea! I'd love for you to add it on my link party
Jenny Clark says
This is so darling! I'm going to try and make one for my 6 y/o daughter! Thanks for sharing this with us!
Abby says
Super cute! I'm pinning this to make later, great tutorial thanks!
Andrea says
Very sweet! I shared this on Facebook!
Candace @ Candace Creations says
So cute! I'm pinning this!
Pamela says
So sweet. And what a pretty model! Your tutorial is so detailed which makes it so easy to follow.
Margaret @ Chica es Artistica says
Oh gosh this is so cute (and the model isn't so bad herself!) The tutorial is great. I can't believe I haven't found your blog until now! I'm now following. Stop by my blog and say hello! I think I may make one of these for myself!
Hollie - TheSevenYearCottage says
Very cute!
Carrie says
This is so cute!! I am definitely going to try this when I start sewing again.
Alecia @ ChickenScratch NY says
This is adorable! I love the butterfly fabric! >I'd love for you to link up to my new link party!
Katie says
This top is so adorable! I love the rosettes you added to it!
Justine of SewCountryChick says
Another beautiful outfit this week! You are so amazing!
Shannah @ Just Us Four says
Oh my gosh…I wish I sewed! This is a fantastic project! Would you consider linking it up at my Pinworthy Projects Party I hope to see you there!
Six Sisters says
That is darling! You are so talented! We would love for you to come share it at our weekly link party and enter to win a $50 gift card to Mikarose Clothing!
bohemiannie! art says
Great tutorial! I'm bookmarking this to make one for ME!
Carrie says
I love this!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!! I hope you are having a wonderful week!
Kristi says
Featuring this at Mop It Up Mondays!! So happy you linked up last week! 🙂
Kathryn says
Cute top:)
Pocketful Of Dreams says
New follower! Popped over from Whipperberry. Had to pin this. 🙂
Leslie Duran says
Great tutorial, thanks for putting it together and sharing, I've pinned it to my sewing board!
Jo says
Hi,
I made one of these for my 8 year old niece. It looks really cute – Thanks for sharing. I have posted about it on my blog and linked back to you. You can see it here http://ribbonsandbibbons.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/fitted-apron-top.html
Jo says
I have also made a toddler dress based on your design. I've blogged about it and given you credit at http://ribbonsandbibbons.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/too-lazy-for-buttonholes.html
Lily says
Supper cute!
Candace @ Candace Creations says
LOVE IT and finally made it! Thanks so much for the awesome tutorial! I posted about it on my blog and linked back to you you can see here…
http://candacecreations.blogspot.com/2012/08/pinterest-challenge-reversible-apron.html
I also joined your flickr group! I plan to use more of your sewing tutorials! 🙂
ksaldivar says
Adorable and you instructions are really great
ksaldivar says
Adorable and you instructions are really great
Rosemary B says
Jamie, I just found your blog via Craftgossip.
Well, first of all, your daughter is so beautiful. She is a wonderful helper too. A perfect model for this wonderful apron top!
I am going to make a few of these….. I am a gramma of three girls.
I am a mom of two beautiful daughters, and they are grown and married to fantastic men! So my oldest is expecting her second daughter in a few weeks, Christina has sonograms every week since she is high risk bc of thyroid problems. The sonograms are so adorable, she will need a tiny apron top soon.
My younger daughter has her first baby, Lena [named after my sweet momma) 8 months. Being a gramma and having abundant fabric is a blast!
Thank you so very much for sharing your pattern.
Jamie says
Thank you so much!