Make an easy no-sew apron

Are you looking for something easy to make this summer?  Below are directions for an easy no-sew apron.

If you like crafts, you'll love our eSource CreativeBug: www.aclib.us/creativebug. 

And if you are already inspired to check out some books with pretty pictures about how to make easy things with little bits of fabric, try these:

No-sew love: 50 fun projects to make without needle and thread (also available as an OverDrive eBook)

Never been stitched: 45 no-sew & low-sew projects

Dozens of ways to repurpose a tea towel

Crafty little things to sew: 20 clever sewing projects using scraps & fat quarters

Fat quarter home: 25 projects to make from short lengths of fabric

A is for apron: 25 fresh & flirty designs

Now on to the no-sew apron (don't worry, it seems like a lot of steps, but it isn't...really!): 

• Supplies
  • 1 tea towel with a folded and sewn but unenclosed hem at the top
  • 1 spool 1/8” ribbon
  • 1 spool wider (1”- 3”) grosgrain ribbon
  • 4 2-hole buttons
• Tools
  • 2 safety pins, no more than 1/8” wide
  • 1 pair scissors
  • 1 measuring tape
  • 1 needle threader (optional), but instructional video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPxvWVE9QK8

• Instructions - CUTTING
  • Using your measuring tape, cut TWO measurements of 24 inches of 1/8” ribbon and set aside.  These will be threaded through the top off the tea towel.
  • Using your measuring tape, cut 24 inches of wider grosgrain ribbon.  Trim the ends at an angle (this will deter fraying). 
  • Wrap the wider grosgrain ribbon around your waist twice and cut it at that point.  Trim the ends at an angle to deter fraying and set aside.
  • You should have FOUR pieces of cut ribbon at this time:
    • Two pieces of 1/8” ribbon, each 24” long
    • One piece of wider grosgrain ribbon, 24” long
    • One piece of wider grosgrain ribbon that is double your waist measurement
• Instructions – NECK STRAP
  • Unfold your tea towel and smooth it out.
  • If it has a pattern or trim, decide which end should be the top.
  • Stick a safety pin through both pieces of the 1/8” ribbon, approximately ½” from the ends.
  • Use the safety pin to guide the ribbon all the way through the top hem of the apron.
  • Adjust the ribbon so that the ends are even.  You should have two pieces of 1/8” ribbon sticking out from either side of the top hem.
  • Remove the safety pin.
  • Hold the tea towel in front of you at underarm level to make sure it isn’t too wide.
    • If it is, you will need to hold on to both ends of the ribbon and evenly scrunch up (gather) the top of the tea towel so that it is narrow enough to fit comfortably across the top of your chest.
  • When it is a comfortable width, CAREFULLY lower the tea towel, and WITHOUT PULLING ON THE RIBBON, tie two square knots on top of each other at each end.  This will help keep the 1/8” ribbon from adjusting itself.
  • Once you’ve tied the knots, raise the tea towel back onto your chest.
  • Carefully, and without twisting it, drape the wider ribbon around the back of your neck and use the safety pins to secure it at a comfortable length on the right and left sides.
  • Slip the tea towel and pinned ribbon off over your head.
  • On the right, front side of the apron, thread each ribbon through one button hole.  The button should be visible in the front of the apron.  Secure with a square knot.
  • Remove the safety pin, and slide the wider ribbon over on top of the knot.
  • Try to fold it so that the long edges are underneath and it is a little puffy on top. 
  • Secure with a square knot.
  • Place another button atop the wider ribbon, and thread one piece of 1/8” ribbon through each button hole. 
  • Secure with a square knot.
  • You will have a few inches of 1/8” ribbon hanging loose at the front of the button.  You may leave them, or decorate them with beads, or cut them off.  However, if you cut them off, I strongly encourage you to tie another knot on top and put a dab of strong glue on there so that it stays in place.

This will make a ribbon and knot and button sandwich, layered thus:

• Square knot
• Button
• Square knot
• Wider ribbon (slightly folded and puffy)
• Square knot
• Button
• Square knot

Image

• REPEAT FOR THE OTHER (LEFT) SIDE
  • Also, while the neck strap is secure, it can be adjusted by firmly and carefully by pulling the wider ribbon through the sandwich to make it longer or shorter.
• Instructions – Waist
  • Put the apron back on over your head.
  • Find whatever you consider to be your comfortable and natural waistline.
  • Use your safety pins on either side to mark this, about ½” from the long edge.
  • Take the apron back off, and use your scissors to snip half the width of your wider ribbon (ex. If your ribbon is 2” wide, cut a line that is 1” on your tea towel). The cut should be vertical along the sides of the tea towel. 
  • Thread the 1/8" ribbon through both holes of one button and tie off securely on the back side.  Repeat on the other end.  
  • Take the longer wide grosgrain ribbon and place it evenly atop the tea towel at the line where the cuts are. 
  • Thread the ends through both sides and pull so that they are even.
  • Put on the apron, and tie the ribbons behind you at your waist.
• Instructions – Wearing
  • Wear your apron and make yourself a nice treat.
  • Check https://www.aclib.us/events for more virtual programming.

Image