How to Make a Half Apron

This is my step-by-step tutorial that will show you how to make a half apron using the free Mini Apron add-on pattern from my shop.

It’s a quick and easy project (great for beginners) and aprons make great gifts!

You might also want to grab the free pocket pattern or one of the free applique patterns while you’re at it!

I have both a video tutorial and a text/photo tutorial for this project.

Trouble with the video player?
Click here to watch on Youtube.

Step 1
Download the Mini Apron pattern. You can ignore the sewing instructions that come with the pattern, as those are only necessary if you’re using the Mini Apron as an add-on to the Vintage Style Apron pattern.

Cut out the Mini Apron and the additional pieces: pocket (optional), 1.5 yards of ruffle trim (or you can make your own), 2 waistband pieces measuring 7″ x 44″.

Step 2
Mark the center of ONE of the waistband pieces and cut it in half.

Like so.

Step 3
Set everything but the waistband pieces aside.

Pin a smaller waistband piece to the side of the larger waistband piece, right sides together.

Repeat for the remaining smaller waistband piece.

Step 4
Sew the waistband pieces together using a 3/8″ seam allowance (you may use a serger, if you wish).

Step 5
Trim the seam allowances and press the seams open.

Step 6
Now we have one looooooong waistband piece. Take one end and fold it in half.

Make it so!

Now fold down one corner.

And press with an iron, revealing this nice straight line.

Step 7
Cut along the fold line.

And now we have a nice pointy end. Hello, pointy end.

Step 8
Repeat this process with the other end, so it doesn’t get jealous.

Step 9
Fold the waistband in half and pin, right sides together.

Step 10
Sew the waistband using a 3/8″ seam allowance, but…

…leave a 3-4″ section at the center of the waistband unsewn.

Step 11
Trim the seam allowances

Step 12
Turn the waistband right side out.

Make sure you get the end points nice and pointy.

This is the whole waistband turned right side out. Ta-da!

Step 13
Press the waistband with your magic hot presser thingy, AKA the iron.

Set the nice, flat waistband aside for the moment.

Step 14
Pin the ruffle trim to curved edge of the mini apron, right sides together. I am making my own ruffle. If you want to gather your own fabric for the ruffle, I have some tutorials for that here.

Step 15
Sew the ruffle trim to the apron.

Step 16
Press the seam towards the apron.

Step 17
Topstitch the seam.

Step 18
If you’re adding a pocket, pin the pocket in place (wrong side of pocket to right side of apron).

Step 19
Topstitch the pocket to the apron.

Step 20
Fold the apron in half and mark the center top.

Step 21
Repeat for the waistband.

Step 22
Line up the center marks and pin the apron to the waistband.

When pinning the apron to the waistband, leave a small gap. It only needs to be about 1/8″ of a gap.

Here’s the whole thing pinned together.

Step 23
Sew the apron to the waistband using a 3/8″ seam allowance.

Step 24
Press the seam towards the apron.

Note that since we left the gap, the raw edge of the apron will be completely concealed. Classy!

Step 25
Topstitch the apron/waistband seam.

All done! Throw on that cute little apron and bake up something tasty. This tutorial is free, but homemade brownie and cookie donations are accepted.