Learn how to sew a pinafore cross back apron. Watch the step-by-step video to complete this easy sewing project, resulting in a lovely cross back apron with pockets.
My perfect go to apron, is one that is simple yet charming. I love that pinafore aprons create a beautiful, yet functional touch to any outfit! Whether you are throwing it on to cook and bake, do laundry, work in the garden or gather eggs, this pinafore cross back apron is a homemaking must have!
My friend Macy has a beautiful garden, and she was telling me how much she wanted a new apron. Lucky for her, this was the one I was finishing up on! Although I ended up going with a different vision for the top, resulting in a smaller top piece than I initially wanted, the smaller size ended up fitting her perfectly.
Pinafore Cross Back Apron Tutorial
Design and Measurements
My initial design for this apron was different in two ways: 1. I wasn’t planning on adding pockets. 2. The top piece was going to have wide boarder frame pieces. With that being said, follow the measurements listed below to get adjusted measurements to create a bigger framed apron with pockets (will be wider up top than in the pictures and video).
- Length x Width
- Top Piece: 10×10 inches
- Skirt: 22×44 inches
- Belt: 3×44 inches
- Straps: 4×44 inches (sew to fit body, then cut off excess from skirt)
- Pockets: 7×5 inches
Tools and Materials
- Sewing Machine
- 1 Yard Fabric (my fabric is from JOANN)
- Scissors
- Matching Colored Thread
- Tape Measure
- Iron / Pins
Pinafore Cross Back Apron Instructions
See the video tutorial for visual instructions.
- Wash and dry fabric.
- Cut out piece: top piece, skirt piece, belt piece, 2 strap pieces, 2 pockets.
Belt
- Fold the top edge of the belt piece 1/8 inch, then again another 1/8 inch, and iron flat. (This is going to help create a straight seamless edge.)
- Repeat same folding and ironing steps on the bottom edge.
- Fold the belt piece in half (good sides out), lining up both freshly ironed edges. Pin the open side closed.
- Place a small cut on the closed side at both top and bottom short ends. Fold both “flaps” in, and pin both openings closed. (You should now have an evenly folded rectangle ready to be sewn.)
- Sew a straight stitch along all sides.
Skirt
- Fold each side of the skirt 1/8 inches, then again another 1/8 inch, creating a 1/4 inch hem.
- Pin and sew a straight stitch along each side. (Don’t forget to front and back stitch.)
- Fold the bottom edge of the skirt 1/4 inch, then an additional 1/4 inch, creating a 1/2 inch hem. Pin and straight stitch.
- Change the tension and stitch length to the highest machine setting. Create a gathering stitch along the top of the skirt. (Do NOT front and back stitch).
- Use the side strings to gather your skirt tighter or looser. (Hold it up to your body to get a better idea.)
- Sew a straight stitch directly underneath your gathering stitch to hold it in place.
Attach Belt and Skirt
- Place the belt over top of the skirt until it covers the ruffle and stitching.
- Pin the belt so the belt stitching aligns and covers the skirt gathered stitching.
- Sew a straight stitch across (front and back stitch) following the stitching on the bottom of the belt.
Top Piece
- Fold the top edge of the top piece over, pin, and hem.
- Fold the strap piece in half and iron.
- Slightly fold the top and bottom edges of the strap towards the middle, and iron flat.
- Place the top piece inside the middle fold of each strap and pin.
- Sew a straight stitch (front and back stitch) along the side of the strap, connecting it to the top piece, and finishing out the top (short side).
Attach Top to Bottom
- Place the top piece on a flat surface. Adjust the skirt, so the belt and skirt are centered with the top piece.
- Pin the belt on the top of the top piece. Sew a straight stitch, following the seam on the top part of the belt. (Remember to front and back stitch.)
Attach Straps
- Put the apron on (if you can). Crisscross the straps until they are as tight as you’d like.
- Pin the strap to the inside of the skirt (along the ruffle). This will hide the front and back stitches you will sew.
Create Pockets
- Fold the sides, top, and bottom edges, and iron.
- Hem ONLY the top fold.
- Pin the pockets on the desired place on the skirt, making sure the iron folds are still folded in.
- Sew a straight top stitch along the side, across the bottom, and up the other side. (Make sure you leave the top open.)
Pinafore Cross Back Apron
Learn how to sew a pinafore cross back apron. Watch the step-by-step video to complete this easy sewing project, resulting in a lovely cross back apron with pockets.
Materials
- 1 Yard Fabric (my fabric is from JOANN)
- Matching Colored Thread
Tools
- Sewing Machine
- Scissors
- Tape Measure
- Iron / Pins
Instructions
Prep:
- Wash and dry fabric.
- Cut out piece: top piece, skirt piece, belt piece, 2 strap pieces, 2 pockets.
Belt:
1. Fold the top edge of the belt piece 1/8 inch, then again another 1/8 inch, and iron flat. (This is going to help create a straight seamless edge.)
2. Repeat same folding and ironing steps on the bottom edge.
3. Fold the belt piece in half (good sides out), lining up both freshly ironed edges. Pin the open side closed.
4. Place a small cut on the closed side at both top and bottom short ends. Fold both "flaps" in, and pin both openings closed. (You should now have an evenly folded rectangle ready to be sewn.)
5. Sew a straight stitch along all sides.
Skirt:
1. Fold each side of the skirt 1/8 inches, then again another 1/8 inch, creating a 1/4 inch hem.
2. Pin and sew a straight stitch along each side. (Don't forget to front and back stitch.)
3. Fold the bottom edge of the skirt 1/4 inch, then an additional 1/4 inch, creating a 1/2 inch hem. Pin and straight stitch.
4. Change the tension and stitch length to the highest machine setting. Create a gathering stitch along the top of the skirt. (Do NOT front and back stitch).
5. Use the side strings to gather your skirt tighter or looser. (Hold it up to your body to get a better idea.)
6. Sew a straight stitch directly underneath your gathering stitch to hold it in place.
Attach Belt & Skirt
1. Place the belt over top of the skirt until it covers the ruffle and stitching.
2. Pin the belt so the belt stitching aligns and covers the skirt gathered stitching.
3. Sew a straight stitch across (front and back stitch) following the stitching on the bottom of the belt
Top Piece
1. Fold the top edge of the top piece over, pin, and hem.
2. Fold the strap piece in half and iron.
3. Slightly fold the top and bottom edges of the strap towards the middle, and iron flat.
4. Place the top piece inside the middle fold of each strap and pin.
5. Sew a straight stitch (front and back stitch) along the side of the strap, connecting it to the top piece, and finishing out the top (short side).
Attach Top to Bottom
1. Place the top piece on a flat surface. Adjust the skirt, so the belt and skirt are centered with the top piece.
2. Pin the belt on the top of the top piece. Sew a straight stitch, following the seam on the top part of the belt. (Remember to front and back stitch.)
Attach Straps
1. Put the apron on (if you can). Crisscross the straps until they are as tight as you'd like.
2. Pin the strap to the inside of the skirt (along the ruffle). This will hide the front and back stitches you will sew.
Create Pockets
1. Fold the sides, top, and bottom edges, and iron.
2. Hem ONLY the top fold.
3. Pin the pockets on the desired place on the skirt, making sure the iron folds are still folded in.
4. Sew a straight top stitch along the side, across the bottom, and up the other side. (Make sure you leave the top open.)
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