Stashing Treasures Play Apron

With six roomy pockets this apron is perfect for stashing treasures found in the garden, carrying art supplies, or even silverware and napkins for setting the table.

To make one for your kiddo you will need two coordinating home décor weight fabrics (these are a bit thicker than quilting cottons)

Materials

2 16” x 12” rectangles of fabric for the apron body
1 16” x 12” rectangle for top pockets
1 16” x 9” rectangle for second set of pockets
2 5” x 38” pieces for the ties

For the apron pockets fold over 1” on the 16” side of each of the two pocket rectangles. Then fold over 1” again to create a clean top edge and stitch the hem down with a 1/8” seam allowance.

Lay these 2 pockets (hemmed edge up) on top of one of the 16”x12” apron body rectangles – make sure the right sides of each of the fabrics is facing up. (see photo). Make sure that the bottom edges line up exactly – the top edges will be staggered forming the pockets.

Next place the second apron body rectangle (16” x 12”) on top of the apron pocket stack – this time right sides together. Pin on all 4 sides. On the bottom and sides you will be pinning through all 4 layers.

Sew around all four sides of the apron sandwich with a ½ inch seam allowance – leaving a 4” opening at the top for turning.

Snip all 4 corners and turn apron right side out. Press flat. Fold the fabric at the opening in and press – the opening will be closed once the ties are sewn on.

To make 6 pockets out of the two big ones you will sew two perpendicular seams. The apron is 15” long so I sewed one seam at the 5” mark and another seam at the 10” mark. Now you have 6 pockets – 3 in the top row and 3 on the bottom.

To make the apron ties sew the two 5”x 38” pieces together to make one long tie. Press the seam allowance open.

Next press the tie in half lengthwise. Open and press in 1” on each side of the entire length. Press in 1” on the two short ends. Fold the whole tie in half again lengthwise and press.

Position the apron body on the center of the tie. Tuck apron body inside the fold of the tie (see photo).

Pin and sew along the edge of the tie, enclosing the apron. Begin sewing at the arrow (on the BOTTOM edge of the tie) and sew along the tie, across the body of the apron and continue sewing along the entire edge of the tie. When you get to the end pivot and sew along the short end of the tie. To sew up the length of the tie on the other side of the apron: begin sewing at the same arrow again, only sew the other direction. Once again sew down the length of the tie, pivoting at the end to close up the short end of the tie.

Larissa lives with her family on five acres in rural eastern Virginia.  When she’s not playing or exploring with her three kiddos she can be found knitting, sewing, baking and taking pictures of the aforementioned.  She blogs about her adventures with fabric, wool, food and kiddos at Stitches in Play.