Yield: 1 apron

Japanese Apron Tutorial With Free PDF Pattern

A women wearing and showing the back of a cross-back apron made of brown and beige plaid fabric in a white victorian kitchen

Learn in this post how to make a beautiful, Japanese apron with cross-back straps. This apron is perfect for fall, displaying cozy fall colors and patterns. It's an easy project, resulting in a lovely apron with large, practical pockets.

Prep Time 20 minutes
Active Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Difficulty Beginner

Materials

  • 2 - 2.5 yards of fabric
  • Coordinating thread
  • Bias tape

Tools

  • Sewing machine
  • Sewing scissors
  • Pins
  • Iron

Instructions

    1. Cut out the paper pattern.
    2. Wash, dry, and iron fabric.
    3. Fold the fabric in half and place the large, main section of the pattern along the fold and pin in place.
    4. Cut out the pattern.
    5. While the pattern is still pinned on, place pins to mark where the pockets belong. I added four pins at the corners to mark it.
    6. Lay the main apron piece down on a table or flat surface, pattern side up. Place the interfacing piece right-side down, matching up with main piece and pin.
    7. Sew all the way around, leaving the tops of the straps and the bottom open.
    8. Around all the curves of the straps and neckline, cut little slits just around the curves. Don’t cut into the seam line. This will help it lay flat.
    9. Turn the straps right side out and press flat.
    10. Turn the raw edge on the open straps inward about 1/2 inch and press.
    11. Create the cross by taking the strap from one side and attaching to the strap on the other side. Just place one of the straps into the opening of the other strap, pin, and stitch across to secure.
    12. Take the pockets and fold over the top about 1/2 inch, then another 1/2 inch, press, and hem. Repeat with both pocket pieces.
    13. Fold over the sides of the pockets about 1/4 inch (there is a guide on the pattern, but I usually just estimate).
    14. Place pockets in place and sew around the three sides, leaving the top opened.
    15. To finish off the apron, we need to finish the raw edges. You have two choices: you can hem it by folding it over 1/4 inch, then another 1/4 inch, and sewing, or you can use bias tape.
    16. To add bias tape, first sew a stay stitch about 3/8 of an inch from the raw edge. This is just a regular stitch that acts as a guide for the tape.
    17. Starting on one edge, fold over the end of the bias tape about 1/4 inch, then pin it with the folded part of the bias tape around the stay stitch on the right side of the fabric. Pin it in place, then sew on the fold.
    18. Trim any extra fabric to the edge of the bias tape.
    19. Fold over the bias tape and top stitch all the way around.
    20. Repeat the same process on the raw edge of the interface.

      Press, if needed, and you project is ready to go.

Notes

You have to place the the pattern very strategically so that it fits a two-yard piece of fabric. If you are only using two yards, you will have to cut the interfacing in two spots rather than on the fold, adding a little extra fabric to one side in order to sew it together down one side.