Pillowcase Apron Sewing

Sewing an apron from a pillowcase is a creative and resourceful way to repurpose an old pillowcase into a functional and stylish garment. To begin, select a pillowcase that matches your desired apron length and width. Lay the pillowcase flat on a table or cutting mat, ensuring that the opening of the pillowcase is facing you. This project is easy and fun to make with the simple stated materials. This project helps in improving your sewing skills. It is also a great addition to your handmade items and it can be given as a handmade gift to friends and family.

Materials Needed

• 1 standard pillowcase
• Matching thread
• Ribbon or fabric for ties (I used binding scraps from an old project because nothing goes to waste)

Substitutes

If you don’t have a pillowcase on hand, feel free to use any cotton fabric to build your apron from scratch. It will defeat the purpose of this tutorial (super quick upcycling idea) but it will still be easy and fast to sew.

Instead of ribbon or fabric or binding for ties you can use any sturdy string or even repurpose old fabric belts or fabric straps. The goal is to secure the apron around your waist comfortably and with ease.

Equipment required

• Sewing machine
• Iron and ironing board
• Scissors
• Sewing pins

How to make an apron from a pillowcase – steps by step instructions

Preparations

• Start by ironing your pillowcase to remove any wrinkles.
• If you’re using an envelope pillowcase, pin the opening area of the pillow (where you insert the pillow).

• Measure and cut the ties to fit around your waist. Some people prefer long ties that go around the back and then tie in front. So adjust to fit your preferences.
• If you’re using binding scraps as I did, fold and sew them into ties. I folded the ends in, and pressed. Then I folded the sides towards the middle, I pressed, then I folded the entire strip in half, pressed and edge stitched it. Then I sew the ends closed.

Sewing

• Sew the opening in the pillowcase. Use matching thread as the seam will be visible on the other side of the pillowcase.

• Lay your pillowcase flat on your table and then fold. You can fold in half or you can allow for a flap at the top as I did. I measured 4″ from the top down for the flap, then I folded the flap down at that mark, then I folded the pillowcase to cover the flap.

• With the pillowcase folded as such, place one of the ties in the inside corner of the top of the pillowcase, and pin to. Sew down to the pillowcase. Repeat for the second tie on the opposite side of the pillowcase.

• Return the pillowcase to the table and fold it up again, as above. Flip the flap up. Pin and sew along both open sides to finish the apron.

• Fold the flap down, over the front side of the apron, and press well.

And you’re done!