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DIY Half Apron for Sewing (FREE pattern)

The perfect accessory while working in the garden or workshop, follow this tutorial for sewing a half apron pattern with self fabric waist ties and large center pockets.

Woman standing in front of a white flower bush trimming stems of the plant, wearing the half apron.

Simple Half Apron Pattern with Pockets

Here on the blog we love to share all kinds of sewing patterns with our readers. We previously shared this versatile DIY utility apron with a cross-over strap design and then more recently created a mini version of the same apron for kids.

Now once again, partnering with Canvas Etc., we’re sharing a simple half apron pattern that you can download print, cut and sew. With long self fabric ties, the apron is convienently one-size fits all. Meant to hold your tools (such as garden shears, measuring tape, scissors and the like), the large practical pockets extend across the entire front of the apron.

View of the apron from the back.

And if you’re unclear on any of the sewing terms, you can refer back to this other free kitchen apron post for clarity.

Materials Needed to Make a Waist Apron:

How to Sew a Half Apron:

Prewash and dry the cotton canvas prior to cutting and sewing. Remove it promptly from the dryer to minimize wrinkles and creases.

Print the half apron pattern on 8.5×11 sheets of printer paper. Tape the pages together aligning the edges to form the complete pattern: 1 large piece cut on fold and 1 rectangular pattern piece for the ties to be cut twice and another piece for the facing along the pocket opening.

This is the pattern layout for taping the individual 8.5×11 sheets of printed paper. When all the pages are taped together, this is how the full pattern will appear.

Cutting

Fold fabric length in half with right sides together, matching selvedges and place on a smooth, flat surface.

Place the large pattern piece on top of the fabric with the center front line aligned with the fold line of the fabric. Pin in place or use paper weights to hold while cutting.

Sample screen shot of free printable pattern for the half-apron sewing tutorial.

Cut along all the solid lines. The dash lines represent the sew lines. Be sure to clip the notches (the triangles on the pattern) and all small dots with a washable chalk or wax.

Sewing the Pocket Facing and Pocket

Clean finish the bottom edge of the pocket facing. You can use a serger or zig zag stitch depending on your machine. In my case, I did a double fold narrow hem along the full length of the facing edge.

Next, align the unfinished edge of the facing with the bottom edge of the large apron piece as shown. Pin together for sewing.

pinning the pocket facing piece to the apron piece along bottom edge for sewing

Sew the pieces together with a ½” seam allowance.

sewing the pocket facing piece to the apron piece with 1/2" seam allowance

True the seam allowance to reduce the bulk.

Fold the facing upward and press in place. Edgestitch along the seam as close to the corners as you can get.

Fold the lower half of the apron upwards at the side notch point sandwiching the pocket facing in between. Stitch along the sides to secure the pocket pouch in place.

Create pocket compartments along the pouch using the small dots as a guide. Sew single stitch lines from the top of the pouch to the bottom hem.

Sewing the Waist Ties

Fold and press the long waist tie pieces in half lengthwise with the wrong sides together. Create a ½” fold along both lengthwise edges as well.

With the folded outer edges aligned, edgestitch to make the ties.

sewing the apron straps along the folded open edge

Double turn the unnotched ends and topstitch to hold in place.

turn the strap ends under twice and topstitch in place

Fold the top edge of the main apron piece under by ½”. Fold again another 1 ½” and stitch the fold in place.

Align the notches on the ties with the upper side notches on the half apron (RIGHT sides together). Stitch the ties to the apron.

sew the straps to the sides of the apron with a 1" seam allowance.

Double fold the unfinished sides of the apron towards the wrong side and top stitch in place from hem to waist.

And that’s all, the half apron is ready for wear. Now it’s time to get to work;)!

Like to Sew? Check Out These Other FREE Sewing Patterns:

Like it? Pin it for later!

half apron sewing pattern

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LT

Sunday 18th of September 2022

I love aprons. I'm enjoying this pattern. I think the instructions can be more detailed. I had to read and re-read to get it right. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

Jane and Sonja

Monday 26th of September 2022

I love aprons too and thankyou for your feedback! We do have this sewing pattern available in our Etsy shop with printable PDF instructions that are easier to follow, in case you're interested - https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1136578878. Many thanks, Sonja

Rhea

Wednesday 15th of June 2022

I'm a Preschool teacher. I would like to make this apron to wear in my class to hold things like a pen, notebook, and scissors. Can you please the pattern?

Jane and Sonja

Wednesday 15th of June 2022

@Rhea, hello. Yes - you can just click on the pattern link in the materials section and it will download. I hope that helps! -Jane

Delicia

Sunday 1st of May 2022

Hello. Can you provide a picture of the pattern layer out together? I’m having a little difficulty putting it together. Thanks

Jane and Sonja

Tuesday 3rd of May 2022

Hi there, yes of course! I will add it to the blog post now so you can find it there for reference. Many thanks for your suggestion. Regards, Sonja

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