How to make a kids' apron

1. Materials & tools

Materials (one apron, 120–130 cm height)

• Main fabric (Oxford cloth, sheeting or linen) — about 110 cm wide × 70 cm (43 × 28 in)
• Flat elastic, 1.5 cm — about 45 cm for the neck loop
• Sewing thread

Tools

• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Ruler and scissors
• Iron
• Pins or clips

2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)

With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.

1. Open the tool
   Open the pattern tool and choose “Kids' clothes” → “Kids' apron” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Enter the body width, length, hem width, bib height and pocket size. Presets cover heights of 100 to 140 cm.
3. Set the seam allowance
   Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in).
4. Print
   Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.

3. Cutting the fabric

1. Trace the pattern
   Lay the pattern on the wrong side and trace both lines. The center line is the fold.
2. Cut the pieces
   The body on the fold, one or two pockets, two waist ties.
3. Transfer the notches
   Mark the top of the bib, where the side curve begins.

4. Sewing

4-1. Finish the edges

1. Turn the diagonal side edges under twice, 1 cm each time, and stitch.
2. Do the same on both sides of the bib.
3. Diagonal edges stretch easily. Press the folds firmly before sewing.

4-2. Add the pocket

1. Turn the pocket's top edge under twice and stitch.
2. Press the other three allowances to the wrong side.
3. Position it and stitch round three sides.
4. Triangles of backstitching at the top corners stop it pulling off.

4-3. Attach the neck loop

1. Turn the top of the bib under twice, catching the ends of the elastic as you go.
2. Decide the elastic length against the actual child — long enough for the head, short enough not to sag.
3. Backstitch two or three times over the ends.

4-4. Ties and hem

1. Fold each waist tie in four and topstitch.
2. Catch a tie at each side notch and backstitch it in place.
3. Hem the bottom.

✏️ An elastic neck loop lets a child put the apron on unaided. Set the length against the actual child: too short and it will not go over the head, too long and the bib hangs uselessly low. Pin it, have them try it on, and only then stitch it down.

5. Tips & variations

• Match the headscarf: the triangular headscarf in the same fabric makes the cooking-lesson set.
• Somewhere for a name: a name tape behind the pocket or on a tie end saves it going astray.
• Divide the pocket: a line of stitching down the middle makes two.