Happy birthday Bradley!
(men's apron tutorial)
>> Thursday, October 18, 2007
I think the first step for sewing for a man is the colour scheme, choosing colours they like that aren't too girly.
I wanted to make an apron for Bradley - now that we have a barbecue. I found the perfect piece in my stash, a sturdy white cotton with blue stripes and a striped ribbon for the neck strap. This was a sample piece of fabric and already serged, so it saved some extra steps. I made it up as I went along but it worked quite well, so here's another tutorial.
Step 1: The rectangle was 26" inches wide and 34" long. I pinned the neck strap in place (20" + hem allowance), and folded over two corners at the top. At this point you can try it on to see if it's roughly the right size. I had to try it on myself then imagine myself a little bit taller.
Step 2: Once the right amount of fabric at the top corners was folded over I cut off the excess and folded the edges and pinned in place. Then iron and sew! (You could also hem the top and sides next if you wish)
Step 3: The waist straps were just twill tape stitched in place. I recommend making them long enough so you can wrap around the back and bring them around to the front again to tie.
Step 4: Love is in the details. I hemmed the ends of the straps (by hand) so that they wouldn't fray.
Step 5: I added a 9" x 17" pocket. The serged edges were just folded once then sewn in place, with a 1" hem at the top. Pin it in place before you sew then try on the apron to see if you like the position. I sewed a couple of extra seams to make divisions in the pocket. That way there's a skinny one to hold tongs. Finally, I embroidered Bradley's name to personalize it. I should have done the embroidery first, then hemmed the top of the pocket to hide the back of the embroidery but I didn't think of it. The easiest way to do it neatly is just pencil in the lines before you stitch.
Done! Bradley loved his new apron... Gosh he's handsome. And such a good sport letting me take pictures.
Sewing books with apron patterns I recommend (hover on the links to see more info):
This is a beautiful book with inspiring sewing projects photographed in front of inspiring decor. It has a French chef's apron, perfect for men! This book also has a garden-artist's apron with pocket.
Simple Sewing with a French Twist: An Illustrated Guide to Sewing Clothes and Home Accessories with Style
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_t5An1Yph0Az2rlSFRUul8VFtA0cEiZ64XDjwFMaO3SGrFwqKJiV3Q1uXPFXu3KYS5E66GTBTseCdevH1fNA_yxGQBRS9bEr1qG_ZG79nkIPnp5sJoueo_aatI1Z5xO5kEpsUk8fHlJUJM=s0-d)
This book includes seven apron patterns! And each project just uses one yard of fabric.
One-Yard Wonders: 101 Sewing Fabric Projects; Look How Much You Can Make with Just One Yard of Fabric!![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sbHGKTgGKjh9qCMBDvj87Id-ruKh7i9yZPWLoeuuzyHktPEMmUb1pedDDZJ8X2LhGHkB4jKTYlARkX4q4pXWDcL5nWS12tZw3uIpmDFox2im_BHY5mgd_j_sX4OlTvl6LVpMjQrF2-zZhF=s0-d)
This book has an apron pattern on page 49 - a short pleated apron with pocket. Amy Butler's books always have great instructions and solid sewing techniques.
Amy Butler's In Stitches: More Than 25 Simple and Stylish Sewing Projects![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sCp-9QbeDzJkz67ZkJhDd3tj6yr-RRm79peCHnJIUNUwFrPpb6ba_amEkdhK502Kg7ZbFx0IAI1CeWHoc4B-600iYFuyzVfLcDr4FMMQlNlbQ8Qc0AUD02PVXIVUl-F6Sp491-f00nhfD4=s0-d)
This book has an apron pattern on page 23 called Sunday-dinner hostess apron, very simple, super cute!
Weekend Sewing: More Than 40 Projects and Ideas for Inspired Stitching![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sJwsMMcMax9UKUjwPMgBEoekypdBMhgddkCNBIGVAiaVDa6iq2cjo8M9TJzv3QK0eFpraXNVHBHn09ZeH0o4OxCe28UGNf5lr86iNscgXdDSekJTrHVH5VOu9Gm6DgQA_z8Mb2FLaKsNA=s0-d)
This book has two apron patterns, a cafe apron with pocket on page 31 and a reversible apron on page 44. Lotta = cool and beautiful style.
Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing: Patterns and How-To for 24 Fresh and Easy Projects![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vcyaI_B3Aopjvsqtb9eelgqKzzO7O06fewDZeRfy6vrcLkPgtDJC6IFHQExtd6whWbf8_4Vjl3-XhpW7i8wYLyiG6ZgY4fL8vqXq7soDpJPqCI_1y40ZGxm4lgcYgjrf9InaMYfqOsEjh0=s0-d)
This book has a handy no-frills apron on page 199, similar to mine (in this post) with a large pocket. This practical book has so many great projects and lots and lots of general sewing info.
Sew Everything Workshop: The Complete Step-by-Step Beginner's Guide with 25 Fabulous Original Designs, Including 10 Patterns![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vxOXk3HJLGtDBuL8QIEiyQcjWPqjxhwoym5QOn40qryxY9syxNcZ6LImVC0tgOOWi8-teQO0XrpS6o0yMaMy00BBX4UrnPg607G-TsBvoaXmoLlWglrhmC1BYUPhPnkDyOBsqcKjHFfsXK=s0-d)
Books all about sewing aprons:
The Apron Book: Making, Wearing, and Sharing a Bit of Cloth and Comfort![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_t_mSfX1jYi5w4DkjZaJ5xGCmy4ft0fijSM-BmCVKUGFRPnWaE4FqYg2lbzEOtTN3AoZzDdh-qWeXLpnUOcdHXJQJv5K3tTR9wWBHYPAvTkXeBynaZ6gBC0dJlenDWG3dSkS7v3dOjnzXsr=s0-d)
Sewing Vintage Aprons: Classic Aprons for Today's Lifestyle![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sKPUxu_HQ0047F9uU06KjhB4LXvwceNbrKL09lo0E_UgEaHgYvEGD9um80a7PV4WICl_FrdnTPCwPC0Gs9NffENL30hi3gWQhPrKHdlEfmHAqShZzPDo-lZ_A5GyovKYLg3kOFdhT3sVem=s0-d)
A Is for Apron: 25 Fresh & Flirty Designs![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tjFpl9cJNe0LlEdZr7_DiRMibjepZiLbEh-7hioYaMt9oBFTV3pbBDIsvEr8dFtai0powvdy1KvHlJDLbQrJFR3qVMniVwgpUghUl0aeFqeqEpkXZY3xfEI30hO9CgXiVfLushiVOJQVYK=s0-d)
Little Retro Aprons for Kids![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vqFrpkEFIXOTU4OBgELjaMY30Hll1QeUMa0bQ2OPlUHOJJechc_qj1ThxYWt-gxkF4TLkoLFfirRKOCXLKZsM_QLf5AQ9cF42aKo9918s39t8YHYhJUnewET7xgBqPAJUUn_WZZnd1dNaE=s0-d)
I wanted to make an apron for Bradley - now that we have a barbecue. I found the perfect piece in my stash, a sturdy white cotton with blue stripes and a striped ribbon for the neck strap. This was a sample piece of fabric and already serged, so it saved some extra steps. I made it up as I went along but it worked quite well, so here's another tutorial.
Step 1: The rectangle was 26" inches wide and 34" long. I pinned the neck strap in place (20" + hem allowance), and folded over two corners at the top. At this point you can try it on to see if it's roughly the right size. I had to try it on myself then imagine myself a little bit taller.
Step 2: Once the right amount of fabric at the top corners was folded over I cut off the excess and folded the edges and pinned in place. Then iron and sew! (You could also hem the top and sides next if you wish)
Step 3: The waist straps were just twill tape stitched in place. I recommend making them long enough so you can wrap around the back and bring them around to the front again to tie.
Step 4: Love is in the details. I hemmed the ends of the straps (by hand) so that they wouldn't fray.
Step 5: I added a 9" x 17" pocket. The serged edges were just folded once then sewn in place, with a 1" hem at the top. Pin it in place before you sew then try on the apron to see if you like the position. I sewed a couple of extra seams to make divisions in the pocket. That way there's a skinny one to hold tongs. Finally, I embroidered Bradley's name to personalize it. I should have done the embroidery first, then hemmed the top of the pocket to hide the back of the embroidery but I didn't think of it. The easiest way to do it neatly is just pencil in the lines before you stitch.
Done! Bradley loved his new apron... Gosh he's handsome. And such a good sport letting me take pictures.
Sewing books with apron patterns I recommend (hover on the links to see more info):
This is a beautiful book with inspiring sewing projects photographed in front of inspiring decor. It has a French chef's apron, perfect for men! This book also has a garden-artist's apron with pocket.
Simple Sewing with a French Twist: An Illustrated Guide to Sewing Clothes and Home Accessories with Style
This book includes seven apron patterns! And each project just uses one yard of fabric.
One-Yard Wonders: 101 Sewing Fabric Projects; Look How Much You Can Make with Just One Yard of Fabric!
This book has an apron pattern on page 49 - a short pleated apron with pocket. Amy Butler's books always have great instructions and solid sewing techniques.
Amy Butler's In Stitches: More Than 25 Simple and Stylish Sewing Projects
This book has an apron pattern on page 23 called Sunday-dinner hostess apron, very simple, super cute!
Weekend Sewing: More Than 40 Projects and Ideas for Inspired Stitching
This book has two apron patterns, a cafe apron with pocket on page 31 and a reversible apron on page 44. Lotta = cool and beautiful style.
Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing: Patterns and How-To for 24 Fresh and Easy Projects
This book has a handy no-frills apron on page 199, similar to mine (in this post) with a large pocket. This practical book has so many great projects and lots and lots of general sewing info.
Sew Everything Workshop: The Complete Step-by-Step Beginner's Guide with 25 Fabulous Original Designs, Including 10 Patterns
Books all about sewing aprons:
The Apron Book: Making, Wearing, and Sharing a Bit of Cloth and Comfort
Sewing Vintage Aprons: Classic Aprons for Today's Lifestyle
A Is for Apron: 25 Fresh & Flirty Designs
Little Retro Aprons for Kids
8 comments:
awww! He's looking good in his new apron! Happy birthday, Bradley!
Happy Birthday Bradley!!!
Hi Claire - the apron looks great. Glad it was a hit.
Thanks! I followed your tutorial and made an apron for my brother. You can see it over at Wardrobe Refashion at http://www.nikkishell.typepad.com/wardroberefashion/.
Awwww....Bradley DOES look awfully handsome. But help! I need one for a doctor friend coming over for Christmas. He's six' six" - any ideas? thanks and Happy Holidays:)
Kathleen
I made one this morning. We love it! Thanks for the steps.
Thanks for the comments! A taller guy would just need a longer version of the same thing.
A looong time after you posted this, I find it:) The great thing about blogs!
Been looking for an easy apron pattern, thanks!
Have a good week!
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