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1920s Ladies Apron Tutorial {and Giveaway}

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While scouring the internet looking for inspiration for a 1920s era apron I found this image from an old pattern.

{via Apron History}

I loved that it required only two pieces and all the instructions and supplies were listed. The only thing I had to figure out was the actual pattern for the apron. After a little trial and error I believe I have it pretty close. The same amount of fabric and binding is required as stated on the pattern.

1920s Ladies Apron Tutorial


The 1920s style in women’s wear is identified by the straight, low-waisted dresses {many times lower than the hips} to hide curves and produce a more boyish figure. This apron is no different with the straight sides and the “waistline,” where the straps button, is actually at the lower hips. The gathered side edges produce a flowing ruffle for a touch of femininity.

Supplies Needed:
1 3/8 yd of 44/45 inch cotton fabric
3 packages of extra wide {1/2 inch} double fold bias tape or about 9 yds.
Two 1 inch buttons
1920s Ladies Apron Pattern {click that link to download the pattern}

1920s apron 01

Step 1: Cut out apron piece from fabric. Also cut out two strips of fabric 2 1/2 inches wide by 40 inches long {or longer if needed}. See the blue in the photo above. Cut along dotted line on the apron pattern.

1920s apron 2

Step 2: Gather the upper edge of the extended apron piece so it is equal to the other cut edge. Another option is to pleat the extended piece instead of gathering it.

1920s apron 3

Step 3: With right sides together sew the gathered edge to the straight cut edge creating a slight dart on each side of the apron.

1920s apron 4

Step 4: Sew long strips of fabric to shoulders, right sides together. Put apron on crisscrossing straps at back and bring to front along gathered seam you sewed in step 3. Pull straps as tight as you like them. You will cut off any excess from the strap but make sure to leave it 2 1/2 inches longer than you want it to be {see steps 5 & 6 for the reason why}.

1920s apron 5

Step 5: Fold each strap edge under 1/4 inch and stitch down {I like using a zigzag stitch}. Fold down another 2 1/4 inches. This lines the end were the buttonholes will be located.

1920s apron 6

Step 6: Round the end of the strip. The hook end of a plastic hanger works perfectly! I traced it, sewed along the pencil line, then trimmed the fabric close to the stitching.

1920s apron 07

Step 7: Bind all the raw edges by sandwiching them between the bias tape folds. Sew a buttonhole on each rounded strip end. Make sure the buttonhole is the correct size for the buttons you are using. Put apron on and pull straps to front over the gathered seam on the apron. Mark where the buttons should be located.

1920s apron 08

Step 8: Sew button on in the correct spot. Done!

1920s apron 08 004

Enter for your chance to win the apron sewn in this tutorial! Follow the directions on the rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Comments

  12. Wow, I so love this. I can’t wait to try it. One of my favorite things to bake is angel food cake—not from a mix! My favorite recipe is in The New Best Recipe.

    Reply

  16. I love to bake, period. One of my favorites is homemade oreo cookies. Unfortunately, I don’t remember where I found the recipe!

    Reply

  18. This looks just like my grandma’s apron! My sisters and I have been looking for a pattern to make one like hers for each of us. Thank you! I really appreciate it!

    My favorite thing to bake are molasses cookies…or brownies…or pizza…or anything! But here’s the link to my molasses cookie recipe on my blog: http://mrsmitchellmemoirs.blogspot.com/2012/06/wellness-cookies-or-insanely-good.html.

    Thanks for all your ideas and comments–I really enjoy your blog!

    Reply

  19. I am not a sewer but I LOVE to cook. Right now my favorite, or actually my husbands favorite, thing I bake is an inside out cake. Super easy and SO not good for you as are most recipes from my husbands southern side :). No link, sorry.

    Reply

  21. I love the apron! Especially the fabric, the pink is precious. Here’s a link to one of our favorite, go-to cookies. My hubby is Italian, and his Nonni (who’s turning 95 next month!) always had a tin of these ready for anyone who stopped by. They store and freeze beautifully. My mother-in-law has even sent them overseas to her grandsons stationed in the middle-east.

    http://www.savorthismoment.blogspot.com/2010/12/and-then-there-was-biscotti-end.html

    Reply

  23. My favorite is a pumpkin spice cookie recipe that I got out of a milk free cookbook. I buy extra pumpkin when it’s in season so I can make them all year. Sorry, no link!

    Reply

  24. I’m a brownie or chocolate chip cookie lover. My recipe for the cookies is the one on the back of the Nestles semi sweet morsel bag. Used it for over 40 years. Have one hanging inside my kitchen queen cabinet. Love this apron. Will be making this I’m sure. Thanks for posting. I’ll be pinning it.

    Reply

  28. Baking around here is a major undertaking. We bake everything from scratch. But, our favorite has to be 7 chips cookies. It is truely a treat. With 7 different types of chips, oatmeal and peanut butter. It’s what to make when you really what a sweet treat.

    Reply

    • I had a cookie like that today (7 chips) and it was amazing! But I can’t find a recipe anywhere and I can’t think of more than 6 kinds of chips (white, milk & dark choc., peanut, butterscotch and toffee). Would you be willing to share your recipe?

      Reply

  36. So Luv this vintage apron, Thanks for a chance to win it! My fav recipe right now is boxed brownies, cut out in holiday shapes with cookie cutters and topped with a spritz of frosting and sprinkles 🙂

    Reply

  37. A fabulous tutorial, much appreciated. I am making this for a non-sewing friend so she can be dressed appropriately as an 1920s waitress in her cafe in Leura, NSW on the 3rd Feb 2013 for the Roaring Twenties and all That Jazz Charleston Challenge. I will take a pic of her and post it on my blog and then give you a link to it when completed 🙂

    Reply

  40. I just finished making the 1920’s apron. I thought the apron was charming and had to make it. I came across the pattern on pinterest. Your blog is a good one. I am glad I found it.

    Reply

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