Apron From an Old Shirt

I've been itchin' to do some stitchin' with some discarded, old button-up shirts, to try and upcycle them some way into an apron and thinking that the bodice of the shirt would adapt well to my current apron designs.  The idea of sewing "green," and repurposing existing fabric really appeals to me and challenged me to think outside the box.  After a couple of false starts and mistakes, I think I sewed a winner!

I began with a pretty, aqua and white checked women's shirt that I bought from my loca thrift store for $1.25 (can't beat that!):

Here's how I did it:

1. Cut the front of the shirt from its back:

2. Sew the buttons shut:

3. Sew bias tape around the sides and top of the shirt:

4. Sew some coordinating ric rack onto the shirt front:

5. Cut and sew a coordinating piece of fabric for the apron skirt and trim it with the same bias tape used on the shirt:

6. Cut a long strip for the apron sash (the sash is the waist and ties of the apron), six inches wide, iron each long side down then fold and iron it again:

7. Pin the open side of the ironed sash onto the waist of the skirt and sew it shut.

8. Lay the skirt/sash flat and place the shirt end onto the sash where it will fit into the waist and snip a small slit:

9. Cut open the sash between the two slits:

10. Iron down a small "hem" on each side of the cut waist, tuck the shirt into the opening, pin it and sew in closed:

11.  Sew the remainder of the sash closed, sew on a pocket and viola!

I think it turned out pretty cute!  Sent it as a surprise to my sister and she loves it!

Now I'm ready to upcycle some of Paul's old work shirts...I'll keep you posted.

May's flying by quickly so please be sure to take a moment and leave a comment on this blog entry so that you'll be entered to win May's blog giveaway -- this pretty Retro Revival sunglasses case (drawing is May 31st):