How to make an apron from Tea towels with deep pockets -

Today I’m going to show you how to make an apron with deep pockets, from 2 tea towels. Mix and match 2 cute tea towels to make your own custom apron with deep pockets and all. This apron has a cute rectangle bib, a skirt with big deep pockets and ties around the neck and waist. Choose your favorite patterned tea towels! Get creative!

woman wearing tea towel apron with deep pockets

On this March Day in Wyoming, we are getting so much snow! It’s a perfect day to stay inside and work on a project. Turn on your favorite music, grab a couple of tea towels from the kitchen, and let’s get making!

You will need:

2 tea towels

All purpose thread

Scissors

Measuring tape

Iron

Sewing Machine

Click this image to find Free Printable Instructions

Free Printable Instructions woman's hand on tea towel with pencil

How to Make an Apron from Tea Towels:

1.Wash and iron those tea towels.

All tea towels vary in size and material. Both of the towels I will be using are made from cotton. And will shrink a little in the washer and dryer. It’s a good idea to see how any fabric reacts to washing and drying, before you use it for a project.

2. Make a plan for how you want your apron to look.

Since I’m using two different patterned aprons, I wanted to accentuate the printed flower on the lower half of the apron. The fabric with the flower was a bit heavier and stiffer, so I thought it would make for sturdy pockets and skirt. And I chose the striped tea towel for the top bib of the apron, and the ties. Get creative and have fun making this apron as simple or unique as you want.

3. Fold and Cut.

For the skirt of the apron, you can choose to wear it horizontal or vertical. Hold it up to your waist and see what would work best for you. Since I am showing off the printed flower on mine, I am wearing it vertically. Adjust to your height. Just be sure that you will have enough fabric for the pockets. I am a very petite woman, so I am cutting one 3rd of the towel off.

I’ll use the extra 1/3 for the pockets. I wanted big deep pockets. Use the 2 corners of the towel to make the edges of your pockets. I wanted my pockets to be at least 6 inches wide and about 8 inches deep.

Using the already done seams, I added an inch to the sides I would be cutting. The cuts for my pockets were 7 inches wide and 9 inches long. You will fold, iron and sew the unfished sides.

For the bib of the apron, fold the towel in half long ways then fold it in half again. You will have a folded rectangle.

Iron the folded rectangle. Then open the towel. You will see 4 rectangles. One of the rectangles will be your bib. Add 1 inch to the 2 sides you will be cutting. Don’t cut off the outer seams that are already there.

Use the extra fabric from the towel you cut for the bib, to make ties. On the long side of the towel, cut 3, 2-inch strips. I just used the stripes as my guide.

4. Iron and sew the seams.

Now you have all these pieces of fabric that are ready to be assembled. You are going to fold down and iron all the 1-inch unfinished edges.

The Skirt

Let’s start with the skirt. You should have 1 unfinished seam along the top of the skirt. Fold the edge 1/2 of an inch and iron. Now take that ironed down seam and sew it.

The Bib

Next, let’s do the bib. The bib has 2 raw edges and 2 sewed seams. Fold the long side of the bib 1/2 inch and iron. Take that edge and sew.

Place the right side of the bib and skirt together. Center the bib on the skirt. Use a measuring tape to be sure the bib is centered on the skirt. You are going to sew the seams on the bottom of the bib and at the top of the skirt together.

Now that the bib and skirt are sewed together.

Hold the unfinished piece to your body. At this point, your bib still has an unfinished seam at the top. You can adjust the length of the bib to your liking. I cut a couple inches off the top before folding the 1/2 inch down, ironing it, and sewing it.

The 2 Deep Pockets

Next, lets sew the pockets. You should have 2, 7×9 pieces for your pockets. With 2 unfished seams. Start by folding the unfinished seams down 1/2 inch and iron.

Now place the pickets where they are going to go on the skirt. Use a tape measure to line these pockets up just right. Make sure they are aligned with each other. Use one of the finished seams as the top of the pocket. Pin the pockets to the skirt in place. Sew the unfinished, folded down seams to the skirt.

The 3 Long Strips

Take these strips to the ironing board. Fold each side 1/2 an inch towards the center. Fold the two sides one on top of the other; sides almost touching.