Transforming a Shirt into an Easy-to-Make Apron: A Practical Sewing DIY Guide
Transform a large, patterned button-down shirt into a stylish and functional apron with this easy-to-follow guide. Here's what you'll need:
- A men's shirt with pockets and sturdy fabric (preferably thrifted)
- Sewing machine or needle and thread
- Scissors
- Pins
- Iron and ironing board
- 90/14 medium-weight universal sewing machine needle
- A washable marking pen
- Coordinating fabric for the waistband and pockets (approximately 3/4 yard for the waistband and 1/4 yard for the pockets)
- Fabric scissors
Steps to Create Your DIY Apron
- Select and Prepare Your Shirt
- Choose a large button-down shirt with a pattern that you'd like to repurpose.
- Cut the Shirt
- Lay the shirt flat and cut off the sleeves.
- Cut down the front or back to form the apron body, keeping the shirt pockets intact if possible.
- Shape the Apron
- Modify the shirt body to fit apron size; trim excess fabric.
- Use the shirt's pockets as functional apron pockets.
- Create a Waistband
- Use leftover fabric from the sleeves or shirt body to make a waistband strip, approximately 12-by-60-inch.
- Sew the waistband onto the top or waistline of the apron for tying around you.
- Sew and Finish
- Hem the edges (iron and sew double hems for a neat finish).
- Attach ties to the waistband ends for securing the apron.
- Reinforce the pockets by sewing around their edges if needed.
Additional Tips and Tricks
- Fold the top and bottom of the waistband horizontally into the center and press with a hot iron.
- Press 1/4 inch under on all sides of the pockets, then press under another inch on the top of the pockets.
- Fold the waistband horizontally in half and press with a hot iron.
- Cut out two 7-by-8-inch pieces of coordinating fabric for the pockets.
- Place the pockets evenly on each side of the apron and pin and sew the pockets.
- Tuck 1/2 inch of the gathered edge of the apron into the waistband.
- Match the center front button placket to the center front mark of the waistband.
For a detailed visual guide, there are video tutorials on repurposing thrifted men’s shirts into aprons showing these steps clearly. Additional sewing tutorials recommend using ironed hems on all sides and straightforward stitching for a clean finish.
This approach is eco-friendly, budget-friendly, and great for beginners and craft enthusiasts who want a personalized apron with existing pockets and a comfortable waistband. Enjoy your new DIY apron!
- To complement your new apron, consider creating a matching home-and-garden accessory using the leftover fabric from the shirt sleeves.
- Instead of purchasing a new home-and-garden storage solution, repurpose your apron's remnants to make a stylish and functional container for storing kitchen utensils or gardening tools.
