Learn in this post how to make matching diy mommy and me aprons. Use my free size chart to create simple and easy gathered aprons.
Whenever I cook or bake in the kitchen, I am rarely alone. My children love to help me scoop, pour, mix, and bake, no matter what dish I am making. I wanted to add to our kitchen fun, by creating matching diy mommy and me aprons.
If you have eager kitchen helpers like me, then you know all of the ingredients, tools, and mess that goes into having extra “help”. These beautiful matching aprons will not only help to eliminate mess from clothing, but add to the experience of “cooking with mom”.
There is something very special about watching my daughters show their desire to be little homemakers, to be “like mommy” in kitchen. That is why I share in both tutorial and post, how to create these super special, and beautiful diy mommy and me aprons.
DIY Mommy and Me Apron Tutorial
Gathering Apron FAQ
How many yards of fabric will I need? Depending on how many “mommy and me” aprons you will be making, and the size of your daughter(s), you may need anywhere from 2.5 – 4 yards. For this tutorial (making an adult, 2t, and size 5, I purchased 3 yards).
How long does it take to sew an apron? Again, this will depend on the number of aprons you will be making. With this pattern, one apron took me roughly an hour to complete.
How do I gather the fabric? In this tutorial, I will show you have to create a gathering stitch. You will want to change the tension settings and stitch length to the highest your machine can go. My machine’s highest tension is 9, and stitch length is 5. Run the top and bottom of your bib piece (apron top), and the top of your bottom piece (apron skirt) to create a gathering stitch. Make sure your piece is hemmed before gathering. Pull the side strings to create a tighter gather. Sew a straight stitch overtop of your gathering stitch to secure the gather.
Size Chart
Tools & Materials
- Sewing Machine
- 2.5 – 4 Yards of Fabric (depends on how many dresses you will be making)
- Fabric I used: Blue and White Plaid (cuddle fleece: polyester) from JOANN’s Fabric
- Matching Thread
- Iron / Pins
- Scissors
- Tape Measure
DIY Mommy and Me Apron Instructions
See the video tutorial for visual instructions.
Main Pieces
- Cut out fabric pieces. Use the sizing chart to determine the measurements for each of your pieces. You will need: 1 apron bib piece (top), 1 skirt piece, 1 belt, 2 straps, and 2 pocket pieces.
- Hem each side of the bib and skirt apron pieces. Fold the fabric toward the back side of the fabric 1/4 inch, then fold again an additional 1/4 inch, and sew the inner fold (farthest from the edge) to create a 1/2 inch hem. (TIP: If you hem along the very edge, the fabric you folded initially will unfold and could unravel, this is why you must hem the full 1/2 inch in.)
Supporting Pieces
- Create two strap pieces.
- Option 1: Fold your 4 inch fabric straps in half (good side against good side). Sew along the open edge, and along one open end edge, leaving the other end open. Make sure you front and back stitch. Turn the fabric right side out through the opening of your unsown edge. Fold the open edge inward, and sew a straight stitch to close it off. (TIP: Snip a short cut into both sides of the opening, then fold. This will help your fold lay nicer and flat.) Continue sewing around each side to finish off the straps. This will help flatten the fabric together, and give it a more completed look.
- Option 2: Fold each side 1/4 inch, then fold the sides together. The right side of the material will be showing. Sew a straight stitch along all edges of the piece. This will close your strap up, and finish off each edge making it look finished.
- Create a belt piece. Fold the fabric in half, until the side edges align. Make sure the good sides of your fabric are touching, and aren’t showing. Sew along the open edge, and one of the ends (top or bottom). Make sure you front and back stitch. Turn your fabric right side out. Fold the open end piece to create an inner hem. Sew along the opening with a straight stitch, and continue to sew all around the piece. This will create a finished look, and flatten the pieces together.
Gathering Fabric
- Create a top and bottom gathering stitch for the apron bib (top). Set your machines tension and stitch length as high as it can go. My machine’s highest tension is 9, and stitch length is 5. Run the top and bottom of your bib piece (apron top) through, creating a gathering stitch. Leave both the strings long on each side, as you will put on this strings to gathering the fabric. Make sure your piece is hemmed before gathering. Pull the side strings to create a tighter gather, until both sides are the desired width. Sew a straight stitch overtop or right underneath of your gathering stitch, to secure the gather. Make sure you front and back stitch.
- Create a gathering stitch on the top of the skirt piece. Follow the instructions above, but ONLY create a gathering stitch on the top part of your skirt. You will NOT gather your skirt as much as the bib piece. Gather your skirt until it fits the width of your hips (holding it up to your body is a great measuring tool.) Sew a straight stitch to secure the gather.
Sewing Apron Together
- Hem the bib to the belt, and skirt to the belt. Turn the bib so the back side is facing up. Flip the bottom of the bib up to where you can see the gathering / straight stitch. Pinch the bottom of the bib and the top of the belt together. Pin along the ruffles of the bib, and very top of the belt (you may have longer bib fabric than belt fabric). Sew inside the gathering / straight stitch, this will ensure that when the apron is finished, the stitch won’t show. Follow the same instructions for sewing the skirt to the belt. Be sure to measure the length of your belt, and place the bib and skirt so they are centered with the belt.
- Sew straps to the bib. Place your straps along the sides of the bib, directly underneath the ruffle / stitch. Make sure they are even on both sides. Sew the strap to the backside of the apron bib. Front and back stitch multiple times.
Pockets
- Hem and gather the pocket pieces. Hem all sides of both pocket pieces. Create a gathering stitch at the top of both pocket pieces. Gather the pocket to create the same ruffled / gathered effect as the apron bib. Secure the gathering stitch in place with a straight stitch. Don’t forget to front and back stitch.
- Sew on the pockets. Sew each pocket onto the front of the skirt (use where your thighs would be as a measuring tool). Sew around both sides and bottom, while leaving the top open. To create a “puffed” pocket, place the sides of the pockets closer together, then sew. This will cause the top opening to “puff”. If you want a flat pocket, lay the pocket as flat and wide as they can be, and sew the sides.
Find More Sewing Projects
- DIY Rocking Chair Slip Cover
- DIY Bassinet Sheet
- DIY Bassinet Mattress
- DIY Vintage Dress with Apron for Girls
DIY Mommy and Me Aprons
Learn in this post how to make matching diy mommy and me aprons. Use my free size chart to create simple and easy gathered aprons.
Prep Time
30 minutes
Active Time
2 hours
Total Time
2 hours 30 minutes
Difficulty
beginner
Materials
- 2.5 - 4 Yards of Fabric (depending on quantity and size)
- Matching Thread
Tools
- Sewing machine
- Scissors
- Iron / Pins
- Tape Measure
Instructions
- Cut out fabric pieces. Use the sizing chart to determine the measurements for each of your pieces. You will need: 1 apron bib piece (top), 1 skirt piece, 1 belt, 2 straps, and 2 pocket pieces.
- Hem each side of the bib and skirt apron pieces. Fold the fabric toward the back side of the fabric 1/4 inch, then fold again an additional 1/4 inch, and sew the inner fold (farthest from the edge) to create a 1/2 inch hem. (TIP: If you hem along the very edge, the fabric you folded initially will unfold and could unravel, this is why you must hem the full 1/2 inch in.)
- Create two strap pieces. Option 1: Fold your 4 inch fabric straps in half (good side against good side). Sew along the open edge, and along one open end edge, leaving the other end open. Make sure you front and back stitch. Turn the fabric right side out through the opening of your unsown edge. Fold the open edge inward, and sew a straight stitch to close it off. (TIP: Snip a short cut into both sides of the opening, then fold. This will help your fold lay nicer and flat.) Continue sewing around each side to finish off the straps. This will help flatten the fabric together, and give it a more completed look. Option 2: Fold each side 1/4 inch, then fold the sides together. The right side of the material will be showing. Sew a straight stitch along all edges of the piece. This will close your strap up, and finish off each edge making it look finished.
- Create a belt piece. Fold the fabric in half, until the side edges align. Make sure the good sides of your fabric are touching, and aren't showing. Sew along the open edge, and one of the ends (top or bottom). Make sure you front and back stitch. Turn your fabric right side out. Fold the open end piece to create an inner hem. Sew along the opening with a straight stitch, and continue to sew all around the piece. This will create a finished look, and flatten the pieces together.
- Create a top and bottom gathering stitch for the apron bib (top). Set your machines tension and stitch length as high as it can go. My machine's highest tension is 9, and stitch length is 5. Run the top and bottom of your bib piece (apron top) through, creating a gathering stitch. Leave both the strings long on each side, as you will put on this strings to gathering the fabric. Make sure your piece is hemmed before gathering. Pull the side strings to create a tighter gather, until both sides are the desired width. Sew a straight stitch overtop or right underneath of your gathering stitch, to secure the gather. Make sure you front and back stitch.
- Create a gathering stitch on the top of the skirt piece. Follow the instructions above, but ONLY create a gathering stitch on the top part of your skirt. You will NOT gather your skirt as much as the bib piece. Gather your skirt until it fits the width of your hips (holding it up to your body is a great measuring tool.) Sew a straight stitch to secure the gather.
- Hem the bib to the belt, and skirt to the belt. Turn the bib so the back side is facing up. Flip the bottom of the bib up to where you can see the gathering / straight stitch. Pinch the bottom of the bib and the top of the belt together. Pin along the ruffles of the bib, and very top of the belt (you may have longer bib fabric than belt fabric). Sew inside the gathering / straight stitch, this will ensure that when the apron is finished, the stitch won't show. Follow the same instructions for sewing the skirt to the belt. Be sure to measure the length of your belt, and place the bib and skirt so they are centered with the belt.
- Sew straps to the bib. Place your straps along the sides of the bib, directly underneath the ruffle / stitch. Make sure they are even on both sides. Sew the strap to the backside of the apron bib. Front and back stitch multiple times.
- Hem and gather the pocket pieces. Hem all sides of both pocket pieces. Create a gathering stitch at the top of both pocket pieces. Gather the pocket to create the same ruffled / gathered effect as the apron bib. Secure the gathering stitch in place with a straight stitch. Don't forget to front and back stitch.
- Sew on the pockets. Sew each pocket onto the front of the skirt (use where your thighs would be as a measuring tool). Sew around both sides and bottom, while leaving the top open. To create a "puffed" pocket, place the sides of the pockets closer together, then sew. This will cause the top opening to "puff". If you want a flat pocket, lay the pocket as flat and wide as they can be, and sew the sides.
Pin It
Leave a Reply