Tutorial: Fat Quarter Reversible Apron with Spoonflower Fabrics

This has been a long time in the making...

From my own custom fabric designs printed at Spoonflower, I've made this cute reversible half apron with pockets. You can make one too!


Here's how:

I started with some veggie designs of my own making and printed them at Spoonflower. Shown here is my Veggie Sampler; a yard of this fabric yields four fat quarters in four complementary designs. You can order this same fabric here (one yard is just enough for making this apron) or use four fat quarters of your own choosing.


First I had to cut down my special yard into fat quarters. From the fat quarters, decide which to use for each of the four parts: two for apron panels, one for pockets, and one for the band. (Note: you could skip the pockets and make an apron using just three fat quarters of fabric!)













Lay out your pocket fabric with the long side at the bottom and cut in half vertically (the line will run top to bottom). Fold one piece in half, right sides together to make a pocket. (The folded edge will be the top of the pocket.) Sew up both sides, then turn and press.











Topstitch the folded edge of the pocket, then pin pocket to one of the apron panels. Line it up with the open edge of the pocket matching the bottom edge of the apron (apron and pocket should both be wider than tall). Center the pocket by folding both the apron piece and the pocket in half first, then matching the creases. Pin and stitch up both sides of the pocket.











Repeat to make and attach second pocket to other apron panel. Then put apron panels right sides together (pockets will match up). Pin and stitch on three sides, leaving the top open. Turn and press.











Next, carefully topstitch around the sides and bottom of the apron. (While not absolutely necessary, this does help to finish things nicely, especially if you are using a colorful contrasting thread.)


Now, on to the band. Lay out your final fat quarter again running long side left to right. This time you will cut horizontally to make three strips of equal size (your fat quarter should measure about 18" high, meaning the three strips you cut will each be 6" high).


Take two pieces and put right sides together. Sew on the short sides to join, repeat with final piece to make these three pieces into one long strip. Press the seams open.













Fold band in half longways and press. Open and fold in both edges to the center line, pressing once again.











Now, to close in the raw edges, open up the band and fold in the short edge about 1/4". Press, then fold back again. Repeat on other side edge.













Fold in half again (this should hide all raw edges) then press. Sew the short edges shut.











Now it's time to attach the band to the apron. Find the center of the apron and band by folding each in half and lining up the creases. Open the band and tuck the top raw edges of the apron inside the band (toward that middle crease). Close the band over the edges and pin.











Beginning at one end of the band, sew the side closest to the apron all the way to the other end of the band. This attaches everything and encloses the apron's top edge. The last step is optional: Topstitch the other side of the band to give your apron a nice finished look.











Now your Fat Quarter Reversible Apron is finished! These fabrics make this perfect for a kitchen apron, although it would also work nicely for a garden or crafting apron. You could make one for a hostess or wedding gift. Use this pattern as a jumping off point and get creative!


I'd love your feedback on this tutorial, especially since it's my first! I hope you find it clear and useful.

I've also created a new Flickr group for sharing projects. So please share what you'd make, I'd love to see what you do using either this turorial and/or my fabrics!