Variation 2: “Bibbed, 3-Ruffle Apron”

(You’ll need the pattern pieces from my Stitching Room workbook. Then simply print this page and follow the instructions below for making this variation.)

(See close-up photos of the bib in MaryJane’ Stitching Room. See a more detailed photo of the 3-ruffle bottom on the “Half, 3-Ruffle Apron” variation.

Supply List

  • ⅝ yard 45″-wide fabric A, washed (red floral in photo)
  • ½ yard 45″-wide fabric B, washed (green floral in photo)
  • ⅔ yard 45″-wide fabric C, washed (cream floral in photo)
  • ½ yard 45″-wide fabric D, washed (red stripe in photo)
  • ¼ yard 45″-wide fabric E, washed (green gingham in photo)
  • 4 fabric-covered button kits
  • 1 spool all-purpose sewing thread

Cutting

(using pattern pieces from MaryJane’s Stitching Room, pages 27–29)

  • From Fabric A: Cut out 4 neck straps, rounding the notched edges as in photo and 2 strips 3″×42″. (For a larger size apron, cut the neck straps 1–3″ longer.)
  • From Fabric B: Cut out 2 apron bibs and 2 strips 3″×42″. (For a larger size apron, you can cut the apron bibs larger, either longer or wider or both, as you desire.)
  • From Fabric C: Cut out 1 apron skirt and 2 strips 3″×42″.
  • From Fabric D: Cut out 2 waistbands and 4 side ties. (Note: when cutting out side ties, mark notch on one end only.)
  • From Fabric E: Cut out 2 pockets and use scraps for the four covered buttons.

Assembling, Stitching, and Finishing Details

(¼″ seam allowance unless otherwise indicated.)

Apron Skirt and Bottom Ruffle

  1. Make three long strips by stitching the two 3″×42″ strips of each fabric together, right sides together. Press seams open. The strip from Fabric B will be the center of your ruffle. With right sides together, take the strip from Fabric C and sew it to one long side of the center ruffle and then the strip from Fabric A to the other long side of the center ruffle. Press seams open. Hem the bottom edge of strip from Fabric C by folding over ¼″ twice, press and stitch. At the top of the strip from Fabric A, stitch a gathering row ⅛″ from the raw edge and again ¼″ from the raw edge.
  2. With right sides together, and matching centers and top edges, pin the large ruffle to the apron skirt bottom and side edges, easing the gathers to fit. Stitch a ⅜″ seam. Press seam allowance toward apron skirt and topstitch close to seam line.

Pockets

  1. Turn under ¼″ on all four sides of the pockets and press. Turn an additional ¼″ at the top of the pockets, press and topstitch. Pin pockets to apron according to pocket placement on pattern and topstitch sides and bottom ⅛″ from pocket edge.

Waistband, and Side Ties, and Apron Bib

  1. Take one waistband piece and two of the side tie pieces from Fabric D and place right sides together along short ends, matching notches. Stitch the side ties to the waistband. Press seams open. Repeat for second waistband piece and the other two side ties from Fabric D.
  2. Place waistband/tie pieces, right sides together and insert apron bib between them at the center of the waistband, matching centers, raw edges even. Stitch a continuous ½″ seam from the end of one side tie, through the waistband and on to the end of the other side tie. The apron bib will thus be stitched into the waistband. Turn under ½″ along short edges of side ties and remaining long edge of waistband/tie piece and press. Turn waistband/tie pieces wrong sides together and press along top, stitched edge.
  3. Along the top edge of the apron skirt (but not including the large ruffle ends), stitch a gathering row ⅛″ from the raw edge and again ¼″ from the raw edge. Adjust the gathers so that the apron skirt measures the length of the waistband, apr. 16½″. Match the center of the waistband to the center of the apron skirt and sandwich the apron skirt between the waistband pieces and sandwich the ends of the large ruffle between the side ties. Pin in place and topstitch the waistband/tie piece ⅛″ from the edge around all four sides.

Neck Strap and Finishing

  1. Sew the back of two of the neck strap pieces together as indicated on pattern. Do the same with the other two neck strap pieces (this will become the facing). Place the neck straps and facing right sides together and sew a ¼″ seam leaving 2″ space at the back of the neck. Clip curves, turn right side out and press. Blind stitch the 2″ opening.
  2. Cover your four buttons. Using the photo for reference, attach the neck straps to the apron bib with two of the buttons and place the remaining two buttons at either end of the waistband.