Reversible Apron DIY

Do you need a fairly quick and personal Christmas gift?  If you are a proficient sewer, this might be the project for which you've been looking.  I found this adorable fabric awhile ago and purchased it with the intent of making an apron for Fun-Sized Chick for Christmas.  Since Friday was the last day of school (and only a half day at that!), I had to get this project d.o.n.e!

Materials needed:

• A premade apron to use as a pattern
• Two fabrics, about 1 1/2 yds. each
• approx. 100" of coordinating double fold bias tape
• approx. 20" of decorative trim. 

Fold your fabric in half, right sides together, lengthwise.  Using an apron you already have (I'm assuming most of you have one, or could borrow one), lay the folded apron on the fabric, matching the folds.  Cut around the apron.  (This particular apron was short, so I added length to it.)  Do the same thing with your reverse-side fabric.

For a front pocket, if the apron you're using as a pattern has one, you can cut it the same size, adding 1/2" seam allowance.  I cut mine about 8" H, and the same width as the actual apron.  For the pocket you will need to finish the top edge by serging, or folding a narrow hem, after that, turn the top over 1" and press toward the wrong side of the fabric.  Fold the remaining edges up 1/2" and press, again towards the wrong side of the fabric.  If you would like to add a trim, like my rick rack, place it on the right side of your fabric and stitch in about 1" down from the top of the pocket, which will also hem the top of the pocket that you pressed over.  

Place the long pocket on the front of the apron where you'd like it, pin (there should be at least 1/2" space between the sides of your pocket and the side of the fabric) and top stitch.

I stitched mine about 1/8" away from the edge.  Then, I subdivided the pocket, making three smaller sections sewing up about 6 1/2" in from each side.

Pin right sides of fabric together, excluding the armhole portions.  Stitch, leaving armhole sections open.  Trim seams if needed, turn apron right-side-out, press.

Measure the entire length of "ties" on your apron "pattern."  (Mine was 92".)  Find the center of your tie piece.  Measure the entire neck opening and divide by two  (for instance, the entire neck tie on mine was 23", from my center point, I measured out 11 1/2" and started pinning that point on the armhole.  Pin down bias tape over both armholes and down entire tie.  Sew tie together starting at one end continuing to the other.  Ta da!  You're done!

 Front

 Other "Front"

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You will notice that my ties are the same fabric as the apron.  I used my new sewing notion and made my own.  It makes 1" wide bias tape, which I then folded.  I would have used premade double fold tape, but I only had scraps and I did not want to run out to the fabric store just for that.

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At the beginning of the post, I stated this was "fairly quick."  It took me one hour and a half, but during that time, I made a quick phone call, took a shower, rewound a bobbin, and made my own bias tape.  This is the first time I've made an apron--it would be such an easy, personal gift (think of all of the college and sports-themed fabric), for not a lot of time or money.  (I only purchased the cupcake fabric for this project--I don't remember how much I spent, but I'll guess about $6, the pink hibiscus fabric was given to me by a friend.)  You could embellish this as much as you wanted to, for instance, adding a pocket on the reverse side, or adding more trim or a ruffle.  I was going for speed.

So what do you think?  Does it inspire you to try making one as a gift or for yourself?