Bib Apron Pattern Maker
An apron needs to be long enough where you want cover and have pockets where you reach. Set the width and length of the lower apron, then the width and height of the bib.
Pick a neck loop that stays fixed or adjustable ties, set the waist tie lengths, and add rows of pockets or elastic loops sized to what they hold.
Make this pattern in your size →What you can change
Size
- Lower apron width: 35–90 cm (13¾–35⅜″). Finished coverage across the waist and lower body. Measure the area you want covered.
- Apron length: 45–110 cm (17¾–43¼″). Finished top-to-bottom length.
Sizes are typed in centimetres, millimetres or inches. The starting size is Lower apron width 65 cm (25⅝″), Apron length 82 cm (32¼″).
Options
- Neck strap: fixed loop or adjustable ties
- Measurements and counts: Bib width, Bib height, Neck length, Each waist tie length, Finished tie width, Pocket area width, Room around listed items
- Lists you build: Pocket rows
Starting points
These are sizes and settings to begin from, and every one stays fully editable. Type your own measurements, or start from the nearest one.
| Starting point | Finished size, cm | Same starting point in round inches |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday apron | 65 × 82 cm · neck loop | 26 × 32″ · neck loop |
| Short work apron | 56 × 62 cm · neck ties | 22 × 24″ · neck ties |
| Craft apron | 64 × 80 cm · neck ties | 25 × 31½″ · neck ties |
| Long apron | 73 × 95 cm · neck loop | 29 × 37″ · neck loop |
Cutting list
At the starting size (Lower apron width 65 cm (25⅝″), Apron length 82 cm (32¼″)) the pattern has these pieces. Fabric sizes include seam allowance, interfacing is cut to the stitching line, and pieces cut on the fold are shown opened out. Each size is the width and height of the piece as cut.
| Piece | Fabric | Cut | Size to cut | How |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apron body | Main fabric | 1 | up to 69 × 86 cm (up to ≈27⅛ × ≈33⅞″) | Shaped: cut from the printed piece |
| Row 1 · flat pockets | Main fabric | 1 | 35 × 36 cm (≈13¾ × ≈14⅛″) | Rectangle: cut by measurement or from the print |
| Waist ties | Main fabric | 2 | 8.8 × 88.5 cm (≈3½ × ≈34⅞″) | Strip: cut by measurement |
| Neck loop | Main fabric | 1 | 8.8 × 63 cm (≈3½ × ≈24¾″) | Strip: cut by measurement |
You will also need: Thread. The cover page and materials list give the amounts for your size.
The maker’s fabric estimate at this size: Main fabric about 1.4 m of 112 cm fabric.
How it goes together
These are the maker’s own instructions at the starting size. They change with the options you pick, and the PDF carries the full set with the cover, cutting list and materials list.
- Cut on the solid lines. The body already includes its turn-under hems, even when the pattern is printed without seam allowance. Transfer the row lines and strap notches to the fabric.
- On every body edge, turn the raw edge to the wrong side by 1 cm twice. Work around the bib top, sloping armhole edges, sides and bottom; trim bulky corner folds and baste the sloping edges before stitching. Stitch each hem close to its inner fold.
- Make the pocket strips: fold each strip in half on its fold line, right sides together. Sew both short ends at 1 cm, trim the corners, turn right side out and press. Turn the two raw bottom edges in together by 1 cm and press.
- Sew the rows on from the top row down: row 1.
- Row 1, flat pockets: lay the strip on the apron front with its folded top on the row's top line. Edgestitch down one side, across the bottom and up the other side, backstitching at both top corners. Sew each divider line from the bottom up to the top edge and backstitch firmly there, where pockets take the strain.
- Make the waist ties and neck strap: press the strip in half lengthwise, open it, fold both long raw edges in to meet at the crease, then fold in half again so it is 2.2 cm wide. Edgestitch along both long sides. Tuck in and stitch each free end.
- On the wrong side of the apron, overlap one waist tie by 3.5 cm at each side notch, just below the waist level. Sew a rectangle and diagonal cross through each overlap to reinforce it.
- Attach the two ends of the single neck loop at the upper notches, overlapping 3.5 cm on the wrong side. Check the loop fits comfortably over the head, then sew a rectangle and diagonal cross at each end.
- Try on the apron and adjust the waist and neck ties before trimming any excess length.
Fabric suggestions
Outer: Medium cotton, linen, canvas, denim or a sturdy cotton blend.
Lining: This apron is unlined. Add a second layer of your own if you want a reversible version.
Interfacing, padding or other layers: No interfacing is needed for the body. Add a small reinforcement patch behind the strap anchors if the fabric is light.
How each fabric family suits it
- Stable woven: great choice. Presses neatly around the hems and keeps the pocket divisions straight.
- Heavy or stiff: great choice. Durable; grade or trim the hem corners to avoid bulky stitching.
- Stretchy knit: not recommended. The bib and waist ties may stretch out of shape. Choose a stable woven fabric.
- Slippery or fine: possible, with care. Baste the long hems and pocket before machine stitching.
The maker’s advice adjusts to the fabric family you pick in the Fabric tab.
Printing it
At the starting size the printed pieces take 16 A4 pages, taped together using the page labels, alignment marks and page map. For a print shop, choose a sheet from A0 to a 36″ roll: the pieces are packed onto as few sheets as they will fit on, and if one is too big for the sheet the maker says so. How printing, tiling and the test square work.
Frequently asked questions
What size can I make?
The bib apron pattern takes lower apron width from 35–90 cm (13¾–35⅜″); apron length from 45–110 cm (17¾–43¼″). It starts at Lower apron width 65 cm (25⅝″), Apron length 82 cm (32¼″), and you can work in centimetres, millimetres or inches. There are 4 starting points to begin from (Everyday apron, Short work apron, Craft apron, Long apron). Every starting point stays fully editable.
Which fabric suits the bib apron pattern?
Medium cotton, linen, canvas, denim or a sturdy cotton blend. In the maker’s fabric advice, stable woven and heavy or stiff are a great choice; slippery or fine is possible with care; stretchy knit is not recommended.