Easy Full Apron

This apron is very easy to make and very cute when finished; I found the original tutorial HERE.  I did change some things.  Everyone needs a cute apron! ... for cooking ... for crafting.  Enjoy!

* Thanks to my mother-in-law for the cute chicken fabric!

Materials Needed:
Fabric...
-Top Rectangle: 11 1/2" long x 18 1/2" wide
-Bottom Rectangle: 19" long x 18 1/2" wide
-Waist Band Rectangle: 4 1/2" long x 18 1/2" wide (largest piece)
            Optional: plus- center strip: 3" long x 20" wide
                                  21" long piece of rickrack
-Apron Strings: (cut 2) 4 1/2" long x 43" wide 
-Neck Tie: 2" wide x 54" long total (I used 3 pieces put together, each piece 18" long) {You could also use a coordinating thick ribbon for the neck tie}

Other Materials...
-sewing machine
-thread
-pins
-scissors and/or rotary cutter
-iron and ironing board
-long piece of thin ribbon (optional for turning neck tie right side out)

Process:
1. Iron apron strings in half (wrong side out), sew on with a 1/4 inch seam allowance on open sides (not on one end so that you can turn them right side out); I decided to make the ends at an angle, you can do them just squared.
2. Turn strings right sides out, press and sew with a 5/8" seam allowance all the way around the apron string (this will help so they keep their shape when wearing and washing).

3. Fold up sides of the top and bottom apron pieces 1/4", iron then fold up another 1/4" and iron.

4. Sew with a 1/8" - 1/4 " seam allowance (you decide what you think will look best).

5. For the waistband iron (folded over about 1/4") the center strip on both sides (top and bottom), place the hemmed center strip in the center of the 4 1/2" long x 18 1/2" wide waistband piece, pin and sew with a 1/8" seam allowance.  Sew on the piece of rickrack in the center (I changed my thread color to do this so that you can't see the string on the rickrack).

6. Pin the apron strings to the center of the waistband piece.

 7. Sew the apron strings to the waistband with a 1/4" seam allowance. Iron flat with seam turned to the back of the waistband.

 8. Sew the ironed seam down (I sewed at 1/8" and at 1/4") seam allowances here.

 9. On the top piece of the apron, at the top fold and iron 1/4", fold and iron another 1/4" and pin.

 10. Sew with a 1/8" seam allowance, keeping the ends open (this is where your neck tie will go through).

See the opening where
the neck tie will be threaded through.

 11. Fold up bottom of bottom piece 1/4" and iron, fold up another 1/4" and iron, pin in place.

 12. Sew with a 1/8" seam allowance.

 13. Pin the waistband to the bottom piece of the apron (right sides together).  The bottom will be wider than the waistband; pin in place by lining up the sides and pinning to each other (with one pin), pin the very middle, then the middle of the two pins (side and center), continue pinning until the gathering is even.

 14. Sew with a 1/4" seam allowance.

 15. Top stitch the hem up at 1/4".

 16. Pin the top of the apron to the waistband (right sides together).  The waistband will be wider than the top piece of the apron; pin in place the same as the waist to bottom (by lining up the sides and pinning to each other (with one pin), pin the very middle, then the middle of the two pins), continue pinning until the gathering is even.

 17. Sew with a 1/4" seam allowance and top stitch with a 1/4" seam allowance.

 18. For the neck tie I used these three pieces; sewing them together with the dark blue one in the middle to make one piece 54" long.

 19. Iron the neck tie in half (right sides together).  Optional for making turning right side out easier: sew a thin long ribbon to the end of the neck tie.  Sew around the neck tie with a 1/4" seam allowance.  Turn right side out; if you used the ribbon, pull the ribbon gently working it out; this will take awhile but I think its quicker than just trying to turn it without the ribbon to pull.

Neck tie sewed and ribbon hanging out the end,
ready to turn right side out.

Done turning right side out.  It takes awhile, be patient!

20. Iron neck tie flat and sew with a 1/8" seam allowance.

21. Thread the neck tie through the hole in the top of the apron.

22. You're done!  Enjoy!

* You could also add pockets to this apron; I might still do this.  I just like to be able to put my hands in apron pockets. :D