POCKET APRON

Embrace the hygge trend and take time to get creative (or messy!) in the kitchen with Kasja Kinsella’s practical pocket-front apron.

YOU WILL NEED

Main fabric: striped purple, see instructions for details

Pocket fabric: natural, see instructions for details

Cotton lace: natural, see instructions for details

Cotton twill tape: 2.5cm (1in) width, see instructions for length

Basic sewing kit

CUTTING OUT

Step one Use a favourite apron and draw around it onto sheets of newspaper to make a pattern. To make it more useful as a working apron, add a little extra to the width and length.

Step two Add a 2cm (¾in) seam allowance to the straight top edge and the hem. The side and armhole edges will be bound so you don’t need to add a seam allowance.

Step three Pin the pattern onto the main fabric and cut around it.

Step four Cut a long strip from the pocket fabric, measuring 28cm (11in) in height and as wide as your apron.

HEMMINGTHE APRON

Step one Turn the top edge of the apron under by 1cm ($⁄"in) to the wrong side (WS) then the same again and topstitch in place to hem.

Step two Repeat this to hem the bottom edge.

MAKINGTHE LONG POCKET

Step one Turn the bottom long edge of the pocket strip under by 1cm ($⁄"in) and press.

Step two Turn the top long edge under by 1cm ($⁄"in) then the same again and press then stitch. Step three Cut a length of cotton lace to the same length as the pocket strip.

Step four Pin to the top of the hemmed pocket and topstitch into place along both edges.

MAKINGTHE SMALLER POCKETS

Step one From the remnants of the main apron, cut a few pockets in different sizes to suit your needs. I made a few narrow ones for my scissors and pencils. For each pocket, you need to add 1cm ($⁄"in) to the bottom and sides and 2cm (¾in) to the top edge for hemming.

Step two Turn the top edge of each pocket under by 1cm ($⁄"in) then the same again. Press and topstitch into place.

Step three Stitch cotton lace across the top hemmed edge up to the side raw edges in the same way as for the main pocket.

Step four Turn the sides (including the lace trim) and bottom edge of each pocket under by 1cm ($⁄"in) to the WS and press.

FINISHING THE POCKETS

Step one Pin your smaller pockets along the long pocket strip in your chosen positions. Topstitch into place down the sides and across the bottom.

Step two Pin the long pocket strip to the apron, positioning it 8cm (3!⁄"in) up from the lower hemmed edge of the apron. Topstitch into place down the sides and across the bottom.

Step three Create sections in this long pocket by sewing straight up from the bottom of the pocket to to the top of the lace. You can make as many pocket sections as you like – I made five large pockets in mine.

BINDINGTHE EDGES

Step one To calculate how much cotton tape you need to bind the apron and create the neck strap, measure up one side of the apron and around an armhole, and add 25cm (10in) for half the neck strap. Double this measurement and add 2cm (¾in) for turnings.

Step two Fold this measured length of tape in half lengthways and press.

Step three Turn one short end under by 1cm ($⁄"in) then fold it around one side of the apron, making sure that the cut side of the apron is right inside the fold of the tape. Pin this into place then continue folding and pinning the tape around the armhole edge right to the top of the apron.

Step four Take the other end of the tape and repeat this to fold and pin the tape around the other side and armhole edge. You will be left with a loop of unfolded tape in the centre, which forms the neck strap.

Step five Topstitch the binding in place along the sides and armhole edges, leaving the neck strip unstitched.

ADDINGTHETIES

Step one Cut two 70cm (28in) lengths of the tape for the ties.

Step two Take one length and fold both short ends under by 1cm ($⁄"in) then under by 1cm ($⁄"in) again and press.

Step three Topstitch one end down to hem.

Step four Pin the other end to the WS of the apron just in from the sides and stitch into place. Stitch a square with a cross in the centre to strengthen the end of the tie.

Step five Tie a knot at the very end to finish the strap. Repeat this to make and attach the other strap on the other side.

Step six Now all you have to do is to don your apron and get to work!