This pioneer apron pattern is SO easy to make for women and girls. Perfect for any pioneer trek, reenactment, or costume!
One of the most popular sewing patterns on my site is my free Susie Pioneer Bonnet pattern! I have had many requests for an apron pattern as well and today I deliver!
This apron is super simple, and perfect for customizations. You can add trims or ruffles, and I will show you how to add a pocket or two.
This is a one sized apron, about mid calf length for teens or adults. You can shorten it for kids or add longer ties if you need more tie length.
Lets sew!
This post may contain affiliate or sponsored links. Read the full disclosure here.
Supplies Needed
- 1 Yard Cotton Fabric (44-45 inches by 36 inches if you are upcycling.)
- Coordinating Thread
- Sewing Pins
- Fabric scissors
- Iron & Ironing Board
Fabric Note
For this project I recommend a medium to light weight cotton, such as a quilting cotton. I typically shop for quilting cottons at Hobby Lobby or Walmart of thrift stores. You can also use a bed sheet for an upcycle, especially if it has a vintage pattern. A bed sheet also allows you to cut the waist ties as one continuous length instead of two halves, which eliminates the center seam. If doing this, cut a 5″x72″ length instead of two 5″x36″ lengths.
I don’t recommend using a stretch or thick fabric for this pattern.
How To Sew A Simple Pioneer Apron
Step 1. Cut Your Fabric
Lay out your one yard of fabric. Cut out the following pieces as shown in the image below:
- 2 – 5″x36″
- 1 – 24″x30″ (This is for a calf length for teens and women. Make it shorter for kids, perhaps 24″x24″ to start with. You can always hem it shorter after it is done.)
- 6″x8″ (one for each optional pocket)
Step 2. Make The Apron Front
Start with the 24″x30″ piece of fabric. Hem both long sides by folding the edge in towards the wrong side of the fabric a 1/2 inch, then a 1/2 inch again.
Pin and sew down the fold.
Repeat on the other long side as well.
Next, hem the bottom of the apron front the same way. Fold the edge over 1/2 an inch towards the wrong side, then 1/2 an inch again. Pin and sew.
Now that the three sides are hemmed we will gather the top. Adjust your stitch length to it’s longest length and sew (without backstitching) along the top with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
Pull one of the basted threads to gather the skirt. Gently pull the gathers until the top edge reduces to be about 18″ long.
Carefully tie the threads on both ends to prevent it from ungathering, then set the pieces aside for now.
Step 3. Make the Waist Tie
Lay both 5″x36″ pieces on top of each other with right sides together, then sew them together down one of the short sides. (Skip this step if you cut a long length of fabric instead of two short ones)
Open up the waist tie, and fold it in half lengthwise with the right sides together.
Measure out from the center of the waistband 9 inches in both directions, and place a pin. This will give you a measurement of 18 inches centered on the waist tie.
Pin along the ends of the waist tie leaving the center open. Then, sew along the raw edges with a 3/8ths inch seam allowance, down both short sides, and the long edge, but not in between the two 18″ apart center pins.
Trim off the corners on both ends of the waist tie, about 1/4 inch away from the seam line.
To turn the waist tie tube right side out: use your thumbs to push the end of the tie into itself an inch or two, then insert a blunt object (like the back of a pen or a fat marker, or CAREFULLY use your shears), and push it through the tube.
The end will eventually stick out the hole you left in the center of the waist tie, and you can pull the end out to flip the tube.
Repeat for the other side. Then, carefully push out the corners to make the ends crisp.
Step 4. Press The Waist Tie
Press the waist tie with your iron until it is nice and flat.
When pressing the center gap, fold the raw edge towards the inside, 3/8ths an inch and press it to make a crease.
When it is open it should look like this:
When it is closed it looks neat on both sides.
Step 5. Attach Apron To Waist Tie
Find the top center of your apron front and mark it with a pin.
Open the apron and lay it down with the wrong side facing up.
Open the waist tie and place the raw edge along the top raw edge of the apron, aligning the centers of both. (The RIGHT side of the waistband is on the back side of the apron, top edges aligned.)
Add pins along the top to attach them together. The apron should fit right inside that 18″ gap in the waist tie.
Sew along the raw edge with a 3/8ths seam allowance, along the crease you made earlier.
Then, flip the apron over to see the front side. Fold the waist tie up and over to the front. Fold the raw edge under, and enclose the top edge of the apron. The folded edge should hit the stitch line you just barely sewed on the other side.
Pin the folded waistband down across the top of the apron.
Now, sew a top stitch long the fold with a 1/8ths inch seam allowance, across the entire 18″ gap and top of apron.
The waistband is now attached!
You can choose to be done now, if you wish.
If you want to add pockets, continue to the next step.
Step 6. Add Pockets
I decided to add one pocket.
To hem the top of the 6″x8″ piece of fabric, fold one short end towards the back 1/2 an inch, then 1/2 an inch again.
Pin, and sew along the fold.
Now zig zag or serge the other three sides if you wish to prevent fraying.
Fold the two long sides towards the back, 1/4 of an inch, then pin.
Then fold the bottom edge towards the back, 1/4 inch also, and pin.
Lay out your apron, and place the pocket where you want it to be.
Use additional pins to pin the pocket to the apron.
Sew the pocket to the apron along the side and bottom edges of the pocket, with a 1/8th inch seam allowance.
Then our pocket is done! You can add another if you want.
Now your apron is done, again! You can also add lace, trims, or whatever other embellishments you want. I left mine plain for now.
Here are the front, side, and back views! The bow is the right length for a medium bow on the back, or a tiny bow on front if you have a small waist. (You can add tie length if you want to.)
This is modeled on my dress form with my easy peasant dress I made here.
And for your information, here is the apron modeled on my 7 year old. It is too long on her. I would shorten it maybe 6-10 inches for a child, but the ties are fine as they are.
I hope you enjoyed this free sewing pattern, and if you have any questions don’t be afraid to reach out to me. Please join my email list below to send me a photo of your apron when it is done, I would LOVE to see it.
And don’t forget to try my pioneer bonnet pattern as well! I get frequent comments that it is an easy, great pattern.
