DIY Wipe-Down Apron Tutorial!

Hi!!

Finally I have I'm ready to share what I made with the tablecloths--DIY Wipe-Down Aprons! I know we all love the term "no-sew", but "no-wash?"-be still my heart! 

I feel like Paige needs an apron to do everything but breath. Coloring? Apron. Play-Doh? Apron. Cooking? Apron. Gardening? Apron. Playing Bakery Shop? Apron! But if I washed her apron every time she wore it, it wouldn't be never be around when she needed it. I really wanted an apron that I could wipe down with a rag, so...ta-da! We made one! And since her friend was over that day, we had to make two. :O) 

Aren't they cute?

And they are made from these plastic tablecloths, so you can choose whichever color or pattern you can get your hands on! I would recommend getting a more heavy-duty one, since some cheap brands may tear too easily. Here are some nice colorful ones from amazon

Want to make one? Ok! Here we go:

Detailed instructions:

• Cut your pieces out. Skirt piece: a large rectangle, with the tablecloth's finished edge on bottom. Width=waist measurement+2", length=desired+1/2". (i.e.Paige's was 28"x14", her friends was 30"x16"); waistband/tie piece: with finished edge on one side. With=5", length=50"-60" for child's size; two pocket pieces: 6"x6"-top edges should have finished edge.

• Hem the sides of skirt pice by folding under twice and sewing.
• Fold the edges of the pockets under once and pin evenly to skirt pice. Sew three of the sides, leaving the tops open.
• Gather the top of the skirt by sewing a long straight stitch and pulling one of the threads. (Full gathering tutorial here)
• Fold over the unfinished long edge of the waistband/tie piece and baste or pin.
• Fold the each end of the tie piece in half widthwise with right sides facing and sew, then turn inside out.
• Fold the waist band in half widthwise with the skirt piece centered in between.  Pin and sew all along the side of the waistband/tie piece.

And done!

Another great option, I think, would be oilcloth by the yard, which is available at many online fabric stores as well as some of the brick and mortar ones. Although, technically I've never worked with it, so I'm not sure-would it ruffle well? 

What about boys?? -I know, boys need aprons, too! (Probably even more than girls, actually!) They have some cute boyish tablecloths out there like here and you could easily alter the pattern for a boy by simply using half the width of the skirt piece and not gathering it. Another idea for a boy would be to purchase an inexpensive canvas apron here and copy the shape, sewing the plastic fabric (with edges folded under) to the front of the apron to make it wipeable. 

I hope you enjoy!

Love,

Disney