Here’s a pretty little apron for your kitchen wardrobe. The tailoring details dress it up, but this apron is quick, inexpensive, and oh-so-easy to sew.

Materials:

  • 2 cotton dish towels (approx. 18″ x 28″)
  • 1–2 yards of 1 1/2″ ribbon (for the waist) and 1 yard of 1/4″ to 1/2″ ribbon (for the neck)
  • Thread

Directions:

Make the Apron Bib

  1. Lay one towel with the 18″ width as the top edge; mark the center with a straight pin.
  2. Make a pleat by pulling the fabric on each side of the pin toward the center. Now make a second pleat on each side of the center pleat. Each pleat should be about 1 inch wide, but adjust them to suit you.
  3. Sew a straight stitch across the pleats. Set this towel aside and use the second towel for the skirt.

Make the Apron Skirt

  1. Lay the second towel with the 28″ length as the top edge; mark the center with a straight pin.
  2. Make a pleat by pulling the fabric on each side of the pin toward the center. This pleat should be deep enough to bring the towel to 18″ or whatever matches the width of your apron bib. Sew a straight stitch across the pleat.

Join at the Waist

  1. Pin the apron skirt on top of the apron bib (both pieces right side up). This will form the waist. Adjust the length to suit you.
  2. Sew a straight stitch, keeping close to the edge of the apron skirt. Now that both pieces are sewn together, you have an apron lining.

Finishing

  1. Fold the waist ribbon in half and mark the center with a pin. Center it on the apron, pin in place, and sew a straight stitch, keeping close to the edge of the ribbon. Repeat on the other edge of the ribbon.
  2. Using the same method as step 1, pin the neck ribbon in place. At the apron edges, wrap the ribbon to the back and give it a small 45° twist so the ribbon will lay flat and tie easily around the neck. Stitch the ribbon in place, keeping close to the edge.
  3. Do a short back-and-forth stitch to strengthen the corner where the neck ribbon is joined to the apron.
  4. Slip on your new apron, head into the kitchen, and enjoy making your favorite dish!