Turn Left Overs into an Apron

Leftover Jelly Roll or 2 1/2" strips?  No problem.  Just turn them into fun projects.

Apron pattern is free here until Nov 15th 2017.  After that it will be available for purchase on our website SistersandQuilters.com.

My favorite apron of all time was a quilted apron.  It has lasted me over 37 years (a wedding shower gift).   It is ready to wear right out of the dryer - no ironing needed!  This apron would make a fun shower gift or birthday gift.  Or use up all those Christmas scraps for a holiday gift.

This Apron uses 7 full 2.5" strips or 14 half strips.   A full strip is 2.5" x the Width of the Fabric (WOF).   A half strip is 2.5" x approx 20/22" wide. 

Read through pattern before sewing.

All seams are 1/4" wide

Finished apron is approx. 20” wide x 29” long

Fabric Requirements:
7  2.5” x WOF strips of fabric - cut to make 14 strips
Or 14 2.5” x 20/22 strips of fabric

Cotton Batting 21” x 30”

Fabric Backing 22” x 30"

Binding 13" of 44/45” wide fabric  or 5 of the 2.5” x WOF strips for a scrappy binding

Notions:  Thread, Rotary Cutter and Mat, Ruler, Pins for Basting or Temporary Spray Adhesive

Let's get started!

Lay out the 14 strips to determine the order the prints.  The strips should be 20/22" wide.

Cut the first 3 strips down to 9" wide.  Stitch them together pressing all seams down towards the bottom of the apron.  Center the fourth 20/22" strip and stitch to the bottom of the 3 smaller strips, pin and stitch.

Continue to sew the remaining strips, centering each strip.   

There should be 14 strips sewn together.  Press all seams down.  Fold the apron in half lengthwise down the center, right sides together.

Place the fold of the apron on the first 0 line on the Rotary Mat.  Match bib edges and flatten apron. Trim off excess strip ends at the 10" line.  This will make your apron 20" wide at the base if unfolded.

Print out the pattern for the Apron Bib PDF or create your own template with the dimensions shown.  This was made on a 8.5" x11" piece of paper.  If you have trouble, you can download the pattern from SistersandQuilters.com  soon.  LINK.   Or email Kristin at sistersandquilters@gmail.com and I will forward you the PDF.

Cut out your bib guide on the cutting line only.  Save and set aside the non-pattern piece since we will use that as a guide for the apron’s curved corners. 

Please note the measurements if you print the pattern.  Make sure to choose actual size or 100% when printing.  Adjust your printer to get the pattern the correct size.  

 Pin the Bib Pattern Guide onto folded apron and trim off excess.  Use the rotary cutter moving slowly on the curve.

Open up apron.  Press if needed.  Using the non-pattern piece, trim the bottom corners forming a rounded edge.  Or you can use a small plate.   Or you can leave them square.

Quilting your apron....

Using the apron as a pattern, cut a piece of the cotton batting the same size as the apron.  Be careful not to cut into the apron! Since it is a small project, cut the batting the same size as the apron.  Usually with larger projects like quilts, the batting would be cut a larger to allow for any shifting of the fabric during quilting.

Press the apron backing if needed.  Place it down with the wrong side facing up.  Using the apron as a guide, cut the backing at least 1/2" larger.  This will be needed in case the apron shifts during quilting.

Layer the apron, batting, and back fabric for quilting.  Baste as you usually do for quilting.  I used temporary spray adhesive to keep each layer in place.  Safety pins or hand basting works great too.

Quilt with the design you like best.  I used channeled rows 1" apart.   If you quilt rows, alternate directions so that your fabric doesn't shift.  Use a walking foot if you have one.

Detail of the quilting.  Not perfect but that's OK.  Projects like this are great practice for those quilting skills.

Any trims or ric rac could be added now.

Let's finish up with the binding....

From the yardage cut 5 binding strips to 2 1/2" wide x WOF.  Or use 5 left over 2 1/2" strips.  Join strips together.  Fold in half lengthwise and press.  All binding will be stitched to the back of the apron first.

For the top of the bib, cut a 9" piece of binding.  I used a leftover scrap to create a fun little stripe of color at the top.  I love how it turned out.  Stitch the binding using 1/4" seam, raw edges together to the BACK of the apron. 

Fold the binding over the raw edge towards the front of the apron.  Pin in place just covering the stitching line.  Using the sewing machine presser foot as a guide, top-stitch just inside the edge of the binding about 1/16".    Look at the stitching on the back and adjust the seam if you need to - the top-stitching should be pretty even on the back of the apron as well.  Sew the binding around the bottom of the apron next in the same fashion.  Begin at one side, stitching down around the bottom of the apron and up the other side.   Ease in the curved edges.

Lastly the apron strings, binding, and neck loop for the bib....all in one loop!

Making the ties and Neck Loop.  Notice these in the first picture above.

Measure off the first 23" of the binding strip and pin.   Beginning at the 23" pin marker, pin the binding to the back side of the apron, raw edges together, and stitch the binding until you reach the top of the apron bib.  When you reach the top edge of the bib back-stitch ending sewing.  Then measure off 20" of the binding for the neck loop and mark that point.  Make sure not to twist the binding.  Pin the binding to the opposite side of the bib at the 20" mark. Stitch the binding to back apron bib side, attaching the binding to the opposite curved edge of the bib.  There will be excess binding for the other tie.  Cut the two ties the same length of 23".
Bring the binding to the front edge of the apron bib overlapping the stitching line and pin in place.  Do the same to the opposite side.  Do not sew yet.

Next, fold in the two raw edges of the binding ties 1/4" and press until you reach the apron edge. Do the same to the neck loop and opposite tie.  See above for detail.  The 1/4" is the same as the seam allowance.  Click on the image if you need to see a larger picture. 

Fold in the raw edges of the ends of the binding strip creating a finished end. Press.  No raw edges should be showing.
Now fold the binding in half over the pressed seam and press.  See picture above.  We are creating the apron ties.  Top stitch the pressed ties where the folded edges come together, beginning with the end of the tie.  Top stitch down the end of the tie, pivot with the needle down at the corner, and stitch along the edges of the ties.  Sew just over the edge the same 1/16" seam.  When you get to the apron just keep stitching the binding down to the apron bib front.  Sew the neck loop together in the same manner as the ties.  This could be one long seam.   If you have to stop and start again remember to back stitch.

Go slow and ease in the curves.   Finish off the tie ends in the same manner as directed above.

Happy Sewing!  

Kristin & Sandra