You may remember Ariel Garneau of PMQ for Two when she stopped by the blog to share her DIY retro bar cart. Today Ariel’s back with a project for the tiny baker in your life! Using just one yard of Lightweight Cotton Twill (and an optional fat quarter), she’s breaking down all the steps to make a kid-sized apron–just what your holiday baking adventures need. Choose from festive designs in the Marketplace or, for a personalized touch, create a custom fabric design featuring the budding chef’s artwork!
Ariel: The holidays are almost upon us, and that means baking! So much baking! I don’t know about you, but many of my fondest holiday memories involve baking in the kitchen with my mother. I don’t know if I was actually doing anything, or just stirring flour and water, but I had a blast and felt like I was contributing.
Let’s talk aprons for a second. When kids are involved there’s bound to be a mess, and the last thing you want is to triple your laundry. You’ve got an apron, so why not for the kids? Follow this simple tutorial and whip-up a small smock for your little ones.
You can start with the free pattern or simply trace an adult-sized apron and go from there (like I did!)
Materials
- 1 yard of fabric for the apron base
- I’m using the design Wave Good Buoy by retrorudolphs in Lightweight Cotton Twill
- 1 fat quarter of fabric for a pocket (optional)
- I’m using the design Stitched Gingham by pennycandy in Lightweight Cotton Twill
- 30″ of ribbon or ties
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- Rotary blade or fabric shears
- Measuring tape
- Apron for tracing or free PDF pattern
This pattern will make a finished apron that is 23″ long and 15″ wide.
1. Start by ironing your fabric. If I’ve learned one thing over the years, it’s that ironed fabric sews so much better. Doesn’t it?!
2. I then laid out the fabric on my table, folded it in half and placed my tracer apron on top of it. Because my apron is far too big for a child, I folded 3 sides in by about 4”. Feel free to adjust the amount you take in based on the measurements of the child. My model is wearing a finished apron that is 23″ long and 15″ wide.
*If you are using the free pattern, fold your fabric in half, trace the pattern and cut out. Repeat so you have two apron pieces.
3. Next, pin the fabric loosely around the apron before cutting. I left a 1” seam allowance around the sides to be safe. You should now have an apron front and apron back.
4. Before sewing the apron front and back together, I cut the front pocket. The sizing of the pocket is up to you but my pocket was 8″ x 4.75″. I don’t want it so deep that you lose things in there, but not too shallow that everything falls out. I ironed the hems and then sewed it onto the front piece of the apron.
5. To make your waist and neck ties, cut your ribbon into two 15″ lengths and attach to the front piece of your apron with your sewing machine.
6. Next, put the two apron pieces together, right sides facing and pin in place. Sew around the edges, making sure to catch the edges of the ribbon. Remember to leave a 5” opening at the bottom so you can flip the apron right side out.
6. Once you’ve stitched around the apron, flip the fabric right side out and hand stitch the opening closed.
Pro Tip: Plan the pattern pieces so that every possible inch of the fabric is used up.
Out of my yard and fat quarter of Lightweight Cotton Twill, I was able to make this apron and two smaller waist aprons. Not to mention I used up a bunch of ribbon scraps in the process. How cute are they?!
DIY bonus! Make a grown-up sized apron to match with our free pattern and tutorial.
Making an apron for Thanksgiving? We’ve rounded up nine autumnal designs for inspiration!
Meet the Guest Blogger
Ariel creates bright, bold, colourful and creative home decor and DIYs (and cocktails). She’s worn several hats to date but has settled on the crown that comes with being a colour-wielding Queen and décor blogger, not to mention, businesswoman. Follow Ariel on her crazy journey called life while she figures what colour to paint the walls and where to hang that darn mirror over on her Instagram feed @pmqfortwo!
Thanks for the design and tutorial on how to adjust sizing.
This looks like fun.
God Bless
I needed a pattern for my two great-great nephews, 6 and 4, and this was perfect! Used a cute Marvel Comic superhero fabric. Thanks for the pattern—so easy!!
Glad that you loved this pattern too, Peggy, I bet the end result was super cute!
Best,
Betsy
Spoonflower
Thank you so much!
Hi, thank you for the pattern, making this apron for my grandson who is three.
Will be fun, just needed a small pattern to get me going. Thanks again……
Totally making one of these for my son to help with Christmas baking! Thank you so much for using my ‘Stitched Gingham’ print! So honored to have it paired with Lori’s ‘Wave Good Buoy’.
Amy, I am equally honored. Thank you Spoonflower!!