Half Apron Pattern with Pockets

Get a free half apron pattern! The ever-popular half apron is super easy as it can be tackled without a pattern. Just a few rectangles and you are on your way! The half or waist apron pattern is easy, consisting of a skirt and a waistband that stretches into two ties. Pockets are always a big part of the half apron and are especially useful for holding things while you get on with whatever you need to do.

Free Half Apron Pattern Tutorial

What is a Half Apron? A half apron is known as a waist apron and is popular due to the large pockets and comfort factor. For sewers, they are a popular way to use up some of the larger half-yard scraps you may have and make great gifts.

Supplies Needed

• Fabric – Cotton fabric is best. You can choose a contrasting color for the waistband and pockets or make it all matching. You will need approximately half a yard.
• Sewing Basics – Sewing machine, scissors, pins, thread.

The best fabrics for half aprons are light to medium weight cotton or natural fabrics. Quilting cotton is ideal and this is what I have used for my samples. Natural fabrics such as cotton and linen will absorb any messes and be easy to wash afterward. Ideally, your fabric should be able to be machine washed. Read more about what is a yard of fabric.

How to Make a Half Apron

Here is your free half apron pattern:

Step 1 – Cut the Fabric

Start with measuring up the fabric you plan to use for the skirt part. Decide on contrasting waistband and pockets and cut out all the required pieces. If your fabric frays badly, cut it with pinking shears.

This waist apron pattern consists of rectangles so you can easily make your pattern. Here are the measurements you will need to cut for the skirt, waistband, and pockets.

MAIN APRON PIECE: SKIRT – Cut a rectangle approximately 37×16.5″ (94x42cm)

WAISTBAND PIECE– Cut a rectangle approximately 60×5″ (152x13cm). You can save fabric by putting a join in the middle but it does look better when cut all in one.

POCKETS – For large pockets, cut 2 pieces of fabric 11×11.5” (28x29cm). This will make two pockets with a finished size of 10×10″.

Here are the written instructions for how to sew a half apron pattern with pockets.

Step 2 – Hem the Sides and Bottom Edge

Iron the shorter side edges of the waist apron over by 1/4” (6mm) and press firmly. Turn over a second time by 1/2″ (12mm) and press before sewing down each side to neaten the edges. Remember to start with a backstitch stitch to stop the stitches from unraveling. 

Hem the bottom of the half apron by pressing over by 1/4 inch (6mm) then 3/4 inch (2cm) again. Stitch across the bottom, backstitching the ends. Pay attention to the corners and get them neat before stitching.

Step 3 – How to Make an Apron Pocket

Press the sides and bottom of the pocket by 1/2 inch (12mm). The edges will be hidden inside the pocket, but if you have a fabric that frays badly, cut the edges first with pinking shears or finish them with a serger or zig-zag stitch.

You must sew a double-fold hem across the top where the pocket will be open. Press the top edge over by 1/4 inch (6mm), then 3/4 inch (2cm) again. Stitch across the top with either single or double stitching.

Place the pockets where you would like them on the skirt part of the apron. You may use one or two pockets. The choice is yours. Stitch the pockets in place after pinning them securely. Backstitch well at the top of the pockets, as these will be subject to a lot of wear and tear.

You will find it easier to stitch in the pockets before gathering the apron and stitching on the waistband, but if you are unsure of the positioning, then you can certainly do it last.

Step 4 – Gather the Half Apron Pattern Skirt

Sew with a long machine basting stitch or gathering stitch along the top raw edge of the skirt. It is best to sew two or three parallel rows by machine. 

Mark the center of the skirt with a pin to enable you to distribute the gathers evenly. Draw up the basting stitch by pulling the bobbin threads. Get even gathers by pulling on one side to the middle and then from the other side. The finished size of the gathering should be about 3/4 of the circumference of your body. The skirt should go just past your sides and to the back.

Step 5 – Sew the Waistband and Ties

• On the wrong side, press the long edges of the strap over by 1/2 inch (12mm).
• Press the ends in by 1/2 inch (12mm) as well to create neat corners.
• With wrong sides together, press the strap in half along its entire length. 

Step 6 – Join the Skirt to the Waistband

Mark the center of the strap and match it to the center of the gathered skirt.

Open up one side of the pressed waistband. With the right sides together, stitch the waistband to the gathered skirt, stitching in the crease. This will be 1/2 inch (12mm) from the raw edge.

Press the seam open. Then fold the waistband over to the back. The folded edge should hide your stitching. For perfect results, hand baste or slip stitch along the fold at the back. Otherwise, if you like to do things quickly (that’s me!), pin it in place accurately.  

Pin along the rest of the strap and sew the strap from the ends all the way across the skirt to the other end. Remove any gathering stitches that are showing beneath the waistband.

Hand Sewing Instructions

If you don’t have a sewing machine, follow the instructions above but use a small running stitch or a backstitch. See my tutorial on how to gather by hand for sewing the skirt. It will take you longer to sew by hand, but you can still create a beautiful apron at the end of your efforts.

Half Apron Pattern Variations

This is your very basic simple half skirt apron. If you are wanting to make a variation or add some creative ideas, the plain half apron has many options to offer.

• Pocket variations – The half apron can have a single pocket or a double pocket.  A large pocket that spans right across the front is an option. Contrast pockets add variety.
• Decorative ideas – Decorate with ric rac, contrasting borders, or frilly lace. 
• Ruffles – Reduce the length of the skirt part of the apron and add a ruffle.
• Vintage styling – Half aprons rounded at the edges make great vintage-style aprons. Make the ties wider for a big vintage bow at the back. Choose floral fabric or gingham for the skirt pattern.
• Tool and utility aprons – A shorter version of the half apron with no frills and a larger pocket divided in sections is a great option for the home handyman or woman. This style of apron is sometimes known as the tool apron belt.

Half Apron Pattern FAQs

Conclusion

Aprons have become popular accessories and can be embellished with many different materials. An apron adds a calm feeling in the kitchen, knowing there is something to keep stains away and to wipe your hands on as you prepare the meal or bake a favorite cake. Be prepared for some messy work, and put on your apron. You will be able to… Keep Calm and Carry on Cooking.  

More Apron Patterns

• A quick and easy way to make an apron is to adapt a tea towel. All you need to do is fold the top and add some ties and you are all set. Make it even faster by using ribbon instead of fabric for the ties. Learn how to make a tea towel apron.
• This free apron pattern includes a printable PDF pattern in 2 sizes – adult and kids. Learn how to make an apron with this easy tutorial.