Vintage Pillowcase Apron

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• Step 1

  Cut a 15” piece from the bottom of the pillowcase, where the hem is. We’re going to use that pre-existing hem for our apron. Not only does it mean one less step for us to sew, the depth of the hem gives it extra weight, which will help the apron hang better.

• 

  Step 2

  Cut 3 pieces that are 4 ½” tall, the width of the pillowcase.

• Step 3

  Trim seamed edge from the side of all pieces. Most pillowcases have one folded side and one seamed side. If your pillowcase is seamed on both sides, just pick one and cut it off.

  *If your pillowcase has a centered design on the front, you’ll want to keep it centered! Instead of cutting the seam off the side of the 15” piece, cut up the centre back.

• 

  Step 4

  From one 4 ½” wide piece cut a piece that is 18-23” long. It depends on your waist size, you want it to cover your front entirely, and go a little bit to the back.

  This is going to leave you with a little extra piece, if you’re feeling optimistic, try making a pocket out of it!

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  Step 5

  Press under the short edges of the apron skirt piece (the 15” piece) about ¼”, then press under again. (note – if you’d like to add trim or other decorations to your apron, add them BEFORE you hem the edges!

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  Step 6

  Stitch the seams on both sides of the skirt. My pillowcase had a tag sewn into the hem, and I thought it would be cool to leave in, as a reminder of what it once was.

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  Step 7

  Taking the 2 long 4 ½” wide pieces, fold them in half lengthwise and stitch along the long edge.

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  Step 8

  When you reach the corner, create a point at the end. If you’re uncomfortable doing this without a guide, just stitch down to the end, pivot, and stitch across, giving the tie a square end.

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  Step 9

  Press the seam and trim off the extra fabric, paying close attention to the corners.

  Turn the ties right side out and press again.

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  Step 10

  Topstitch around the edges.

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  Step 11

  Finish one long edge of the waistband (the shorter 4 ½” piece).

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  Step 12

  Begin by folding the edge under ¼”, pressing, then folding again, then stitching, the same as we did on sides of the apron skirt.

• 

  Step 13

  Divide the unfinished edge into 4 and pin to mark.

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  Step 14

  Divide the top edge of the apron skirt into 4 and mark with pins.

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  Step 15

  Change the stitch length on your machine to the longest stitch (usually 5), and change out your bobbin to use a bright colour (basting is a great way to use up the ends of bobbins!)

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  Step 16

  Stitch between the pins on the apron skirt, stopping at each pin and leaving longish tails (at least 2”) at the beginning and end of each section. Don’t backstitch!

• 

  Step 17

  While we’re at it, we want to baste the raw edge of the ties. Baste them then set them aside, attaching them is one of the last steps.

  STOP NOW! Reset your stitch length to 2.5, and change back to the matching bobbin! Do it now before you forget! You’ll be seriously annoyed if you sew the rest of the apron in a baste stitch! Trust me on this!

• Step 18

  Lay the skirt raw edge and the waistband raw edge together, right sides facing, matching pins.

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  Step 19

  Starting ½” from short end of the waistband, gather apron fabric by gently pulling the tails of thread. (The bobbin thread will pull easiest, which is why we used the bright colour for the bobbin instead of the needle thread.) Pin the apron to the waistband piece to secure layers.

• Step 20

  You reset your stitch length, right? Okay, ready to go! Stitch the skirt to the waistband, removing pins as you go. Once you have sewn the whole length, gently tug on the basting threads and they’ll slip out. (NOTE - if you have a ruffler foot, which are seriously the best thing since sliced bread - and i love sliced bread, since i'm horrific at cutting it myself! - don't worry about any of this basting crap, just ruffle away! I'm assuming most people don't have $50 sewing machine feet though, so i did mine the hard way to show everyone. oh, the sacrifice.)

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  Step 21

  Press the seam towards the waistband.

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  Step 22

  Fold waistband piece right sides together with the finished long edge overlapping the gathered seam by ¼” and press.

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  Step 23

  Gather the unfinished end of each tie piece and fit them inside the folded waistband, one at each end. Pin in place.

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  Step 24

  Stitch the short ends of the waistband using ½” seam allowance. Take care not to catch the skirt in the seam.

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  Step 25

  Press, trim corners to reduce bulk.

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  Step 26

  Unfold waistband and press. Carefully pin the waistband in place on the wrong side of the apron. This will enclose the gathered seam.

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  Step 27

  Topstitch around the waistband, taking care to include the gathered seam allowance.

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  Step 28

  You’re done! Wear your apron with pride!

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  Step 29

  The straps on this apron are quite long – you can do them shorter if you’d like!

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  Step 30

  If you have a tiny waist like my vintage dressform, you can even wrap them around twice!

  I hope you liked the tutorial, and I’d LOVE to see your aprons!

Comments

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Kiirby · 8 projects 22nd September 2011

i really wanna do this but i am such a noob and really confused lol I'll have to get mum to help

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PinkWeeds · Omaha, Nebraska, US · 207 projects 29th April 2010

my parents so had that bed set for the longest time. crazy.

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DreamsInBloom · Cedar City, Utah, US · 22 projects 10th June 2009

Beautiful apron!

I've been planning on making an apron for a friend and I think the look of this one is more her style than the other one I was going to do. Thanks.

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