I have made many of these simple farmhouse aprons over the years, and love the full coverage and protection they give your clothing. Learn how I made my aprons, and you can make your own, with no pattern!
This apron has a criss-cross back, so there are no ties to mess with. You can just put it on over your head and it is ready to go.
How to Make the Farmhouse Apron
Below is a review of the instructions in the video. They are very rough, but I threw together some diagrams below to help you out as well.
Watch the tutorial on how I make these aprons here:
I also filmed a follow-up video that explained further how to modify the pattern to fit your needs and to size it up or down.
Farmhouse Apron, Modify the Design – Watch it here:
Now I am not a seamstress, but I would consider this a beginner sewing project. The aprons are made with rectangles of fabric and sewing straight lines. It is pretty straight forward.
A Recap of the Tutorial Video
This pattern takes 1 3/4 yards of fabric.
When I make these farmhouse aprons, I like to use “duck cloth.” It is a heavier weight, cotton fabric that is very durable and can hold up to lots of use and countless washes.
I have also made these aprons from denim, calico/print muslin and linen.
What You Will Need:
- 1 3/4 yard fabric with matching thread
- sewing scissors
- iron and ironing board
- sewing pins
- sewing machine
Cutting the Fabric:
The following pieces of fabric will be needed.
- 1 piece, 43″ wide and 34″ tall (apron body)
- 2 pieces, 9 inches wide and 20 inches long (side/hip pockets)
- 1 piece, 7 inches wide and 14 inches long (chest pocket, optional)
- 2 pieces, 7 inches wide and 22 inches long (straps)
When cutting your fabric, if the pattern on it is directional, the diagram above shows how they should be cut. The top of the shape is the top of the fabric.
How to Sew your Farmhouse Apron
First, fold over a 1/2 inch hem around the edges of the body of the apron, and iron it into place. Fold it over a second time and iron it into place. You can pin it if you like.
Sew the hem into place, all the way around the apron.
Next you will prepare your pockets and straps.
Fold the pockets in half, across the fabric, right sides in.
Fold the straps in half the long way, right sides in. (The dark lines in the diagram above, indicate the fold lines on each piece.)
I will sew all of these 5/8 inch from the edge of the fabric.
On the first pocket, sew down the side and partly along the bottom, and again on the other side and partly along the bottom. Leave an opening so that you can turn in right side out. Repeat with the other two pockets.
On the first strap, sew one end closed, then down the side. Leave the other end un-sewn so that you can turn it right side out.
See the tips in the video about trimming the corners, and how to turn the straps right side out easily.
Turn the pockets and straps right side out. Iron them all smooth. Fold the open edges smooth and iron them.
Attaching the Pockets
Place the pockets on the body of the farmhouse apron as shown in the diagram below.
The side pockets are placed 8.5 inches from the top of the apron, and 5 inches from the edge. Pin them into place.
The chest pocket is centered on the apron and placed 2 1/2 inches from the top edge of the apron. Pin it into place.
Sew the aprons on, as close to the edge of the pocket as you can. (Sides and bottom.) I like to use a zig-zag stitch for the pockets, but you can use a straight stitch if you prefer.
How to Attach the Apron Straps
The apron straps are placed 4 inches apart, at the top center of the apron. (I use a pin to mark the center of the apron when I am placing the chest pocket and the apron straps.)
Sew them into place.
Lay your apron face down with the straps above.
Fold the right side of the apron over, just past the center. Take the left strap and pin it into place inside the corner. Again – right apron side, left strap.
Fold over the left side of the apron, and pin the right strap into the corner. Do not twist the straps as you do this.
Sew the straps into place.
Trim off any loose threads and give your apron a final ironing (if you like.)
Your apron is done!
Notes on Making your Farmhouse Apron
This apron is very easily customized.
You can omit the chest pocket if you don’t want it.
Place pockets in the center of the apron instead of the sides.
Change the sizes of the pockets, or where they are placed.
The apron itself can be made longer or shorter.
Try adding ruffles on the bottom, or using contrasting fabrics.
Have fun with it!
Sizing
I have had people purchase aprons from me in the past (when I used to sell them) and it has fit people up to 2XL.
In the video, I shared a tip about making adjustments to the strap length for more added room if needed.
But in addition to the straps, you can also make the apron fabric a little wider than 43 inches if needed.
You can download a printable PDF of these instructions:
You May Also Like: How to Make a Modest Wrap Skirt (no pattern needed)
Thank you so much for this tutorial! I am going to make with coordinating fabrics for the pockets and perhaps the straps. Do you mind if we make to sell? Do you want us to give you credit?
I have one more tip for the apron. Mine is almost finished, but I, too, had some problems with the seams that crossed and were overly thick with so many layers. I carefully used my hump jumper, and it really helped.
I love your apron pattern. My daughter-in-law sent me a link from her mother with a photo of an apron very much like yours. Being up for the challenge, I went to Joann’s and found a beautiful floral print similar to her photo. The apron is gorgeous, just missing the attachment of the straps. I think D. will be as thrilled with the apron as I am with my handiwork. Thank you! I saw some cute kitchen themed fabrics and also looked for a chicken one, as D. keeps hens!
Please invest in a good sewing machine! It will give you so much pleasure. I notice that some sewists are recommending the Janome 3000. I looked at that one and believe it is a good one. Instead, I decided to have my two older machines serviced not long ago when I returned to my beloved hobby and am enjoying it so much. I love your cat! Mine do the same behavior. I have two torties.
Hi Constance,
I am “sewing challenged”, when you are sewing the straps, do you sew the across the top only, or also top and bottom near hem. Mine didn’t look right, and I can’t tell from your picture. Thank you, Faith
I basically sewed a small, skinny rectangle so that there were two rows of stitching holding the straps. It may be “overkill” but that’s how I do it :)
Thanks so much. I was wondering the same thing and studied your video numerous times! I came to the same conclusion, that you had sewn the small rectangle. I think the double row is a good idea!
I have several old tablecloths from the 50s and 60s that I’ve saved from family who have passed. I’m now making aprons for myself and others from them. Great pattern!
Thank you! (PS- you were great explaining on the original video.)
What a great idea!!! I’m glad you liked the tutorial :)
Very nice, would like to make this for my daughter. She is very busty. I like to see a picture of the back.
I’m tickled with your tutorial ❤️. Thank you! Wearing my apron as I type.
Tip: Bought a cotton shower curtain at a thrift shop. Had plenty of fabric to make an apron!
I love how easy this was to make. I was able to make mine in a few hours start to finish. I also appreciate the advice on how to do different sizes. I was able to make one for my daughter as well. I also added some elastic at the bottom and a button midway up to make a gathering apron for my garden. Thank you for sharing!
I had so much fun sewing this apron. Thank you for making a go-along video! You said you like to put your phone in your center pocket. It gave me an idea. I am always bending over in the garden so I made a flap that goes over the pocket and will velcro shut. Now my phone won’t fall out!
Am I the only one who can’t figure out how to put on the apron?
Ooh, a Challenge! Now I have to make it! 😂
Thank you so much for this pattern. I watched your video and paused to make the next step. It made up in about 1.5 hours after cutting. Thank you for your kindness to us all. Be blessed. Trudy
I love your apron. I made mine and now my three daughters and my daughter-in-law each want one. I am going out to buy material! Thank you so much for the free pattern.Kay Sweeney –Michigan
Love this!!! I’m cleaning my craft room now so I can get in there lol. Thank you!!!
I love your beautiful pattern for your apron. I would like to know if you can help me to figure out how to make your pattern in a 4X for my sister. I would appreciate if you can help me.
just a suggestion:
If this isn’t going to be a surprize are you able to take her bust and hip measurements? Also from the top of her chest and over her shoulders down to the spot where the straps attach to the apron? There are many beautiful quilt back fabrics that start at 60″ widths and go up to 108″. Printing and laying out the original pattern might help you visualize where you need wider material plus how to adjust the shoulder strap length.
average 2X equal to:
22W-24W Bust: 49″-52″, Waist:44-47, Hips:53-56″
average 4X equal to:
30W-32W Bust:57-61, Waist 52-56″, Hips:61-65″
I hope this helps. Good luck :-)
Thank you so much for sharing. I will definitely be making this, because I can make a real mess in the kitchen. I love the ease at which you can make this apron (will most likely do several).
I just wanna say thank you for sharing this apron tutorial with us all! It’s refreshing to see someone shares info/pattern for free nowadays! I’ve been looking for a cross back apron pattern for some months now. I’m so excited to pick out fabric and make this! Thanks again Constance! ❤️
You are so very welcome!
Thank you for the pattern and the tutorial! I just finished my apron and I couldn’t be happier. I will definitely be making more
I’m so glad!
is the measurement from the top down being 8.5 inches correct? it seems like it will be right under my arm pit. Yours seems lower. Any help would be appreciated.
Yes, that is where mine is. If you are unsure of it, you could sew the straps on first and put the apron on. Then place the side pockets at the height you are most comfortable with :)
LOVE this apron thank you soooo much for sharing!!
A friend shared your video with me. She knows I like aprons. I love the fabric you chose. Beautiful work and great instructions. Now to finish getting my sewing room set up. :)
I am so excited to find your Farmhouse Apron video and pattern. I can’t wait to make it and have already pulled out some stashed fabric to make it. (It will be done before I close my eyes tonight!)
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for sharing this GREAT apron.
What a great universal and easy apron pattern! I can not wait to make these for my daughter. She is larger and regular patterns just don’t fit right. This one is easily adaptable and fits great! Can wait to start making several for Christmas. Thank you again!!
Thank you for the video, I will be making an apron for myself!
Where did you get the black and white farm fabric? I love it.
I got it at Hobby Lobby :)
Just came across your tutorial on making an apron and loved it. Thank you for your information. I so much enjoyed it and look forward to watching more.
Lorraine
I Love this and love finding your website and Youtube videos. I’ve wanted to make an apron like this for so long. However, I am a small/medium so am wondering if you had any idea how much fabric I would work with using that size?? Love your channel! Thanks so much!
If the fabric you are using has a directional pattern, like the kind you saw in the video – there has to be enough fabric for the apron body and the straps to be cut from the same direction. So for an apron that is 33 inches long (the fabric piece) and then the straps are 22 inches, that’s 55 inches in fabric you would need. Then you would just cut the pocket pieces from the fabric that is beside the straps. That’s just over a yard and a half, but there is no buffer. So if the fabric isn’t cut perfectly straight, you’ll have to eat into your apron length. So to be safe, I always get 1 3/4 yard of fabric. I can always use any leftover scraps for other things :) Hope that helps!
From Amsterdam, thank you, will do your apron tomorrow! love your channel. regards, Sylvia
Thank you for sharing.
I have never seen anyone put such detail in a pattern or a video to some thing that they were just giving away. Thank you so much for letting us to be able to so your beautiful apron. My fabric is in the washer right now. Thank you
Thank you Reta!
Thank You so very much for sharing this!!! IF you decide to invest in a newer sewing machine, I am going to suggest looking at a Janome HD3000. I spent close to 50+ years sewing on my grandmother’s White machine that is in a cabinet and it is still my favorite machine. A few years ago I needed a portable machine and after lots of research settled on the Janome HD3000. It is as close to the older heavier duty machines as I could find in a reasonable price range. I have been very pleased with it. I ordered mine from Amazon because I couldn’t find one locally and it arrived just fine. And again….Thank You for so generously sharing the apron directions.
Thank you Wendy!
I also have a Janome 3000. I have been sewing on it for about 7 years. It will sew a lot of thick layers. One of the best purchases I have bought.
Nice!