update 8/28: Owen actually wore the apron to make cookies today. I’d definitely suggest two changes: making an extra strap so there are two at the neck for tying, not one looped one, and adding another couple inches width to the bottom part of the apron. It should go farther around to protect the sides of the kids’ pants.

Here’s an idea: a chef’s apron for your toddler. Lord knows he won’t wear a bib anymore, am I right? Here’s a quick way to make one. It takes two pieces of about 12”x20” fabric, plus two pieces that are 7.5”x20”. So, let’s see, you can make it out of about a little more than a yard of 44”-wide fabric. I think.

Math is not my strong suit.

Here is the cutting layout, although it doesn’t include the second apron piece laid out. These measurements are for an apron that fit my Owen, who wears a 2T. The same concept embiggened would fit an older child, or even yourself. Just measure yourself where an apron would be, and remember to halve the measurements for cutting on the fold, and to add enough for a 1/2” seam allowance.

Once your pieces are cut, assemble the apron strings. I usually assemble strings and straps thiswise: fold them in half lengthwise and press, then unfold. Fold from the edge to the center fold line lengthwise for top and bottom. Press. Then fold in half, enclosing the raw edges, and sew along the open side. Turn one short edge under twice and stitch it down.

With the right side of one of the unfolded apron pieces facing up, lay the apron strings in the appropriate places, raw edges matching and strings toward the center. Pin them in place as shown below. Lay the other apron piece on top, right sides facing. Starting about 3” from the center bottom, stitch all the way around the edge, using a 1/2” seam, and going over the straps. Stop a few inches from where you started to leave room to turn (be sure to backstitch).

Be sure to clip the seam allowance nearly to the stitching line on the curves, to make them lie flat, and trim corners at a 45-degree angle to eliminate bulk.

Turn it inside out. Press.

Suckers will hand-slipstitch the opening closed; lazy people like me will edgestitch the whole thing. Then voila! Apron!

Hopefully that made sense. I’m actually quite crap at explaining how I do things. And my skills in Illustrator are shite.

But there you go! And it doesn’t matter if it’s wonky or made from a weird fabric or if it looks like crap because your kid is just going to wipe his slimy paws all over it anyway. Just be sure you make it sturdy enough to throw in the wash and you are g-o-l-d-e-n.

An illustration that includes layout instructions is here.* Good luck!

*and if you can’t read that tiny print, it goes something like this:

Instructions: 1.) For apron: On fold, measure out 4”. This is A.

Measure 20” down, along fold line. From there, measure out 6” from fold. This is C.

Measure back up about 15” (more or less to taste). This is B. Sketch curve from top of B to right end of A.

Cut out this piece and use it as a pattern for cutting the second apron front piece on the fold.

2.) Strings: Mark apron string measurements along the grain line. Each piece is 2.5”x20”. Cut 3 strips, through 2 layers; there should be 6 total.

Credit goes to Sew What Skirts for the ABC approach and Simple Sewing for the basic construction method. Yay!