DIY Apron

I don't know about you guys but I usually end up making a mess in my kitchen when I bake. I've no idea why, I'm really careful and use the lowest speed when mixing the dry ingredients, I pour in the liquid ingredients very slowly so they don't splatter all over the place, yet somehow batter always ends up on the counter top and worse, on my clothes.

To fix this little problem I decided to make an apron I can put on and then hang up when I'm done baking. It's a really simple project that can be done in just a couple of hours. All you need is about 1- 1.5 yards of fabric depending on the size of the apron and if you line it or not. I would recommend using a thick and sturdy fabric such as canvas or using two layers of normal fabric. I flowery cotton fabric, which is what I had, so I cut each piece twice and sewed them together.That way, each piece has two layers and is sturdier.

 Tutorial:
Materials:
*1.5 yards fabric-- If you're using two different fabrics like I did, you'll need 1 yd of the main fabric and 0.5 yd for the neck and waistband.
*Scissors
*Tape measure
*Thread
*Sewing Machine
*Pins
*Iron (optional)

Instructions: 
*(I don't have pictures to go with the tutorial but it's pretty straight forward, I think, but if you have any questions feel free to leave a comment!)

1.For the neckband, cut a rectangle that's 5 x 24 inches (includes 1 inch seam allowance on each side) or the thickness and length you want your neckband to be. Fold the fabric in half so that the right sides are together and sew lengthwise, leaving a 1/2in seam allowance. Now, you have a long tube that should be approximately 4 x 24 in. Turn the tube right side out and press, making sure the seam is along the middle and not the side.

2. For the top part of the apron, cut two rectangles that are 10 x 12 inches (includes 1" seam allowance) or your desired size. Place the rectangles right sides together and sew along 3 sides, leaving one of the longer sides open. Flip the rectangle right side out and press. Fold in about 1/2" of  fabric on both layers and press. Take the neck band and place the ends inside the big rectangle and pin them where you want your neckband to be. Sew along the folded edge and now your top part is complete.

3. For the bottom part of the apron, cut two rectangles that are the length of the front part of your waist by the length from your waist to about 4 fingers above your knee. Include 1" seam allowance. Mine was about 19 x 21 inches. Place the rectangles right sides together and sew along all 4 sides leaving a 2 inch gap on one side to flip the fabric right side out. Turn the fabric right side out, sew the gap shut and press.

4. To make the waistband cut two rectangles that are 6 inches by the length of the circumference of your waist. Place both rectangles right sides together and sew them to create one super long strip of fabric, 2 times the circumference of your waist. Fold lengthwise right sides together and sew, leaving 1/2" seam allowance, to form a long tube. Turn the tube right side out and press, making sure the seam is along the middle and not the side. Fold in about 1/2" of  fabric on both ends of the tube, press and sew shut.

5. Find the middle of your waistband and mark it with a pin. Center the top part of the apron about 1/2" under the waistband and pin it down. Do the same with the bottom part of the apron. Sew both parts of the apron to waistband. And you're done!

Here's the finished apron!