Waist Apron Pattern Maker
A waist apron is a panel with pockets and a band that ties round the back, with no bib to go over your head. It is made here from the pocket panel: set the panel width and height, then the pocket row.
Choose the waist band fastening and the length of the tie ends, and list the pockets with a width for each.
Make it yours: Measure the tools or items you carry, then change the number of rows, pocket widths and the waist length.
Make this pattern in your size →When to choose this one
Choose this one for a half apron with no bib: a panel with a pocket row that ties round the back, for serving, crafting or cooking. The length of the tie ends and the waist band are the main settings.
If you want neck straps and a top that covers the chest, use the bib apron instead.
What you can change
Size
- Panel width: 15–65 cm (5⅞–25⅝″). Finished width, side seam to side seam.
- Panel height: 12–60 cm (4¾–23⅝″). Finished height, top to bottom. A waist band covers the top of it at the back.
Sizes are typed in centimetres, millimetres or inches. The starting size is Panel width 56 cm (22″), Panel height 35 cm (13¾″).
Options
- Wear it as: waist band, roll-up or cross-body
- Fastening: buckle, D-rings, snap or tie ends
- Size: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL or measured
- Band core: webbing, interfacing or none
- Measurements and counts: Room around listed items, Waist, Tail past the fastening, Each tie tail, Band width
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Waist apron | 56 × 35 cm · waist ties | 22 × 14″ · waist ties |
| Craft apron | 52 × 33 cm · waist ties | 20½ × 13″ · waist ties |
The tool belt / pocket panel pattern has 7 starting points in all; the other 5 are in the maker.
Cutting list
At the starting size (Panel width 56 cm (22″), Panel height 35 cm (13¾″)) 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panel front and back | Main fabric | 1 | 58 × 37 cm (≈22⅞ × ≈14⅝″) | Rectangle: cut by measurement or from the print |
| Panel front and back | Lining | 1 | 58 × 37 cm (≈22⅞ × ≈14⅝″) | Rectangle: cut by measurement or from the print |
| Row 1 · flat pockets | Main fabric | 1 | 58 × 38 cm (≈22⅞ × ≈15″) | Rectangle: cut by measurement or from the print |
| Waistband and ties | Main fabric | 1 | up to 12 × 205 cm (up to ≈4¾ × ≈80¾″) | Shaped: cut from the printed piece |
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 2.7 m of 112 cm fabric; Lining about 0.5 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.
- Make the pocket strips: fold each strip in half on its fold line, wrong sides together, so the fold is the pocket top. Press, and edgestitch along the fold. Baste the raw edges together.
- Sew the rows on from the top row down: row 1.
- Row 1, flat pockets: lay the strip on the panel front with its folded top on the row's top line. Baste the sides and bottom inside the seam allowance; they are caught in the panel's perimeter seam. Sew each divider line from the bottom up to the top edge and backstitch firmly there, where pockets take the strain.
- Place the back over the front, right sides together, with the pockets folded flat inside. Sew around the panel at 1 cm, leaving 8 cm open between the bottom notches. The strip sides, the lowest strip's bottom is caught in this seam.
- Trim the corner allowances without cutting the stitching. Turn through the gap, push out the corners, and press the edges. Fold the gap allowances in and topstitch all round to close it, keeping clear of the pockets.
- Press the strip in half lengthwise, open it, press both long edges in to the crease, then fold again so it is 3 cm wide. Open the end folds, tuck 1 cm in at each end, and refold. Edgestitch all round.
- Tie the ends in a knot or a bow at the front or side.
- Centre the band across the back of the panel, its top edge level with the panel's top and its lower edge on the marked line (3 cm down). Edgestitch both long edges of the band through the panel between the panel's sides, and box-stitch where the band leaves each side.
- Tie it at the waist: Waist 80 cm + 3 cm ease = 83 cm finished, with 60 cm tails.
Fabric suggestions
Outer: Canvas, duck, denim, heavy linen or waxed cotton for tools; quilting cotton or linen for a pen or brush roll.
Lining: A firm cotton or the same fabric for the back. Pocket strips are cut from the main fabric.
Interfacing, padding or other layers: Light fusible interfacing keeps a cotton panel flat. Heavy tools want canvas, a webbing band and bar-tacked divider tops.
How each fabric family suits it
- Stable woven: great choice. Presses neatly into pleats and keeps narrow pockets straight.
- Heavy or stiff: great choice. Strong enough for tools. Pleats and strips stack up layers at the side seams: use a jeans needle and grade the allowances.
- Stretchy knit: not recommended. Pockets and straps sag under load. Use a stable woven fabric.
- Slippery or fine: possible, with care. The strips shift while pleating and stitching dividers; baste first.
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 19 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 waist apron pattern takes panel width from 15–65 cm (5⅞–25⅝″); panel height from 12–60 cm (4¾–23⅝″). It starts at Panel width 56 cm (22″), Panel height 35 cm (13¾″), and you can work in centimetres, millimetres or inches. This page starts from Waist apron and Craft apron. Every starting point stays fully editable.
Which fabric suits the waist apron pattern?
Canvas, duck, denim, heavy linen or waxed cotton for tools; quilting cotton or linen for a pen or brush roll. 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.