Ice Tea Anyone?
Materials:
½ —–yard of a base fabric (I used an Indian cotton voile).
¾ —–yard of a coordinating fabric (I used a Jay McCarroll printed cotton).
2 ¼ —–yards of ribbon (I used two grosgrain ribbons layered and stitch with a machine embroidery stitch).
-Wash all fabric to clean and shrink. All seams are ½”
-Cut from coordinating print:
1 Pocket- pattern PDF
1 Waistband- 6”x 22”
1 Bottom Band- 6”x 45”
2 Ties- 31” x 2 ½”
-Finish sides (selvedges) of base fabric and stitch two rows of basting (long machine stitches) at 3/8” and ½” from top.
-Stitch right side of bottom band to wrong side of base fabric (If using a directional print-it should be sew here upside-down). Press seam toward bottom band. Fold bottom in half, right sides together, fold seam allowance back towards wrong side and stitch sides of bottom band. Flip right sides out, press and top stitch long seam catching all raw edges in bottom band “sandwich”. Center ribbon on bottom band and stitch both edges.
-Stitch darts in pocket and press. Finish top edge. Fold top of pocket at notch with right sides together. Stitch sides. Flip flap (he-he) right sides out. Sew basting stitches centered at 1 ½” and gather pocket to 6 ½”. Pin ribbon into place over gathers and stitch both edges. Press raw edges of pocket to wrong side ½”.
– Position outside pocket corner 4” down from the top and six inches from the side of base (On the right side of the base if you are right handed and left side if you are left handed). Pin and edge stitch pocket on to base.
big enough for several wood spoons- the cadillac of pockets!
-Fold ties in half right sides together and stitch down long raw edge and one short end. Use a chop stick to push the right side out. Make sure corners are carefully picked out. Press flat.
-Gather top of base to 21”
-Sew right side of waistband to wrong side of the top of the base adjusting gathers evenly to fit within the seam allowance of the waistband.
-Baste ties to right side of waistband 2” up from the base with raw edges of ties lined up with raw side edges of waistband. Fold waistband in half right sides together, fold seam allowance to wrong side and stitch the side catching the ties. Flip right sides out, press seam allowance towards the waistband. Top stitch long seam catching all raw edges in the “sandwich” of the waistband.
-You are now ready to cook!!
AND… this is just the beginning- you could add pockets, change pockets (there are a bazillion pocket shapes if you google images of vintage aprons), quilt the bands, use ribbon for the ties, add lace to the bottom, attach glitter and Christmas bells, add piping to the waistband and pocket, cross-stitch or embroidery, give it a theme for a friend, use ric- rac, appliqué fruits on there, you could bedazzle the crap out of it if you want.
Hippy Long Stockings 
Hey, I think your very on target with this, I won’t say I am completely on the same page, but its not really that big of a deal .
Your apron is so pretty, in fact, it looks to pretty to just be an apron. I have never seen such a light and airy apron, and yours is so pretty in length as well. You have me sold on making a summer apron and thank you for reminding me to experiment with the pockets and where to look for ideas. I have made knee length aprons before, but yours is just beautiful, and I am a tea drinker more than coffee. Thank you!
Thank You so much! I was inspired by cotton organdy aprons from the 1950’s because they always have very intriguing pockets. Cotton organdy has a stiffer drape and I wanted something a little softer so I went with the Indian voile which come in really beautiful saturated colors.
Very beautiful apron! I wish I could sew something more than cloth napkins. Maybe someday I will be able to make something like this! I love the fabric choices!
Just found this via allfreesewing.com, and I love it! I’m into aprons (among other things) lately. I like the pocket idea, and thank you for the suggestions for googling other vintage apron ideas. Who’d a thunk!!
I would love to try this..