https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/shirt-apron • Posted by Heather M. Love
What to do with an old button-down shirt that’s worn its way from office to rag pile? This quick and clever restyle will have it back to work as an everyday apron with every bit of boyish charm.
What to do with an old button-down shirt that’s worn its way from office to rag pile? This quick and clever restyle will have it back to work as an everyday apron with every bit of boyish charm.
Using a ruler and marking pen or tailors chalk, draw a line on the front of the shirt beginning at the neck where it meets the right shoulder seam to the right underarm of the shirt. Repeat for the left side of the shirt.
Turn shirt to backside and draw another line across from underarm to underarm.
Now draw a perpendicular line from the back center point to the underarm line.
Next, carefully cut away sleeves following the lines you have just drawn. Starting at the right underarm seam, trim up the right side to just below the neck seam then follow this seam around the back to the left side of the garment. Now trim along your markings to the left underarm.
Turn work and continue to cut along the underarm line across the back of the shirt. Take care to trim through the back layer only. If you have done your trimming correctly the sleeves and upper portion of the shirt back will come away leaving the collar attached to the front of the shirt.
Finally, cut along the perpendicular line marked down the center back of the shirt. Finish the edges along this last vertical cut with a double fold hem and press seams flat. All other unfinished edges will be trimmed with bias tape.
Create ties and trim remaining unfinished edges with bias tape as follows: Fold bias tape in half to find center point of 4 yd (4 m) piece. Match this point to the center back of the collar and pin bias tape into place along the unfinished edges around the collar, down the front of either side of the shirt and around to the hemmed seams at back.
Topstitch your bias tape into place and press seams for a professional finish.