Cosmopolitan Apron

Skill Level
Experienced Beginner
Materials
Pattern (found at the end of the instructions)
1 yard (91.4 cm) of fabric
8-1/4 yards (7.5) of 1/4" (6mm) double-fold bias tape
Thread
Fusible interfacing
3⁄4" (1.9 cm) button
Tool & Supplies
Access to a photo copier that enlarges images
Fabric shears
Scissors
Pins and needles
Tape measure
Sewing machine
Iron and ironing board
Water-soluble fabric pens
Transfer pencils
Sewing gauge
Seam ripper
Seam Allowance
1/2" (1.3 cm)

Instructions
Copy and enlarge the pattern pieces found at the end of the instructions as indicated.
Cut out the apron pieces as directed. Set them aside.
Splice together the packages of bias tape to create one long piece.
Assembling the Pockets
Sew the pocket linings to the lower front, wrong sides together, with a 5⁄8" (1.6 cm) seam (figure 1).

Encase the top edges of the pocket with bias tape, stretching it slightly at the inner curve while stitching through all thicknesses. Trim the bias tape ends even with the edges.
Sew the pocket back to the pocket lining along the double-notched edge, right sides together (figure 2).

Baste the pockets to the lower front below the diamonds, then stitch 3⁄4" (1.9 cm) all around the bottom curved edge (figure 3).

Stitch bias tape to the bottom curved edge.
Sew the ties to each side of the upper front piece using a 5⁄8" (1.6 cm) seam. Zigzag close to the seam, and then trim the seam. Press the seam toward the center of the upper front.
Making the Neck Straps
Sew the neck straps to the upper front piece using a 5⁄8" (1.6 cm) seam. Press the seam toward the neck straps.
Stitch all the way around the upper front, including the neck straps and ties, with a 3⁄4" (1.9 cm) seam allowance, as shown in figure 4.

Mark the buttonhole on the right side of the left neck strap. Cut a rectangle of interfacing 2" x 1" (5.1 cm x 2.5 cm). Pin it to the wrong side of the fabric where you wish to make a buttonhole, but don’t fuse it to the fabric. Stitch the buttonhole, then turn the fabric over and trim the interfacing close to the stitching, being careful not to cut the stitching.
Lap the wrong side of the upper front piece onto the right side of the lower front piece, using the previously stitched placement line. Align the center lines, the sides, and the pocket dots. Baste the two pieces together (figure 5).

Apply bias tape to the upper front piece. Start on the left neck strap, and encase the upper front around the right neck strap, and tie. When sewing the bias tape around the outer curves of the neck strap and ties, stop before the curve with your needle in the fabric. Position the tape around the curve 1" (2.5 cm) at a time by hand. Gently pivot the fabric while taking five to six stitches. Stop, again with the needle down, and without raising the pressure foot, reposition the next inch (2.5 cm) of fabric, and continue on, pivoting and sewing as you go.
When you get to the edge where the upper front meets the lower front, stitch through all thicknesses to attach the two pieces until you get 2" (5.1 cm) from the center point. Stop with the needle down, and then guide the bias tape to the center point with your fingers. Miter the bias tape at the center point. Continue stitching around the apron until you’ve encased the entire upper front piece. Fold the trim over, and lap over the start of the bias tape.
Remove the stitching for the placement line. Trim the seam joining the upper front to the lower front to 1/2"(1.3 cm), being very careful not to cut the fabric underneath.
Cut a small square or dot of interfacing, and fuse it to the wrong side of the right neck strap where you wish to place the button. Sew the button on through the fabric and the interfacing.
Pattern Template