Sew an original bistro apron
As part of our collection dedicated to Paris and the Eiffel Tower, we show you how to make an apron similar to those worn by the waiters in Parisian bistros.
We have chosen to make it with an embroidery of the Eiffel Tower. This is optional, as are the pockets.
Use the fabric of your choice, taking care to use a fabric that is either plain or multi-directional. Otherwise the motif will be upside down on the top and bottom.
Size of finished apron: width 105cm – height 78 cm – straps 90cm.
We have chosen to make it with an embroidery of the Eiffel Tower. This is optional, as are the pockets.
Use the fabric of your choice, taking care to use a fabric that is either plain or multi-directional. Otherwise the motif will be upside down on the top and bottom.
Size of finished apron: width 105cm – height 78 cm – straps 90cm.
What you will need
- A swatch of embroidery linen 50 x 70cm – we used 12 count natural linen;
- our large Eiffel Tower cross stitch pattern;
- Your choice of embroidery thread in three colour ways: Retors du Nord 2874, 2004, 2030, or Laine Saint-Pierre 722, 106, 532, or our sparkly Tonkin thread 1024, 1003, 1020;
- One metre of Sajou fabric, we have chosen the coordinate 2 from our Ma Belle Ville de Paris collection;
- 2 metres of Sajou linen strap;
- Some pins, preferably with a glass tip;
- A pair of scissors;
- A pen, preferably FriXion for markings, as they have the advantage of reacting to heat so the lines will disappear with the heat of an iron;
- A ruler, we use our own small one which you can find in our stationery products.
We highly recommend that you watch the video. Some operations are complex in the text, but become crystal clear with the visual.
Cutting out the different pieces of the apron
Take care when cutting out to respect the direction of the motif, especially when using stripes.
Sajou fabric:
- Piece A : top of apron – 110cm wide, 22cm high;
- Piece B : middle of apron – 110cm wide, 67cm high;
- Piece C: bottom of apron – 110cm wide, 22cm high;
- Pieces D : pockets – 18cm wide x 22cm high each. Not compulsory.
Embroidery - Piece E: cut to 36cm wide x 67cm high taking care that the motif is centred.
The straps - Pieces F: cut two strips measuring 100cm each.
Assembling the embroidery
With the back of the embroidery (piece E) facing you, trace a line at 1cm from each side. Fold over along the line and press with an iron.
Fold the middle fabric (piece B) in half to find the centre. Unfold and do the same with the embroidered piece E.
Place piece B face up and line up the embroidery on top matching up the centre marks. Pin in place and stitch at 2mm from the side edges.
Fold over the apron edges at 1cm and again 1cm, press with iron. Stitch each side at 2mm from the fold.
Fold the middle fabric (piece B) in half to find the centre. Unfold and do the same with the embroidered piece E.
Place piece B face up and line up the embroidery on top matching up the centre marks. Pin in place and stitch at 2mm from the side edges.
Fold over the apron edges at 1cm and again 1cm, press with iron. Stitch each side at 2mm from the fold.
Assembling the top of the apron
Place the middle part face up, with the flag at the top. Fold piece A in half to find the centre and match up with the mark on the middle part. Pin right sides together. Mark the overhang with a pen, both at the join with the apron, and at 2cm from the edge.
Stitch the top and middle together with a 1cm seam allowance, using the marks as starting and finishing points. Iron the seam upwards.
Fold over twice the two overhangs and press with an iron.
Next fold over the top of the apron 1cm and press with iron. Then fold in half so it meets the seam with the middle part. Pin all along.
Stitch the top and middle together with a 1cm seam allowance, using the marks as starting and finishing points. Iron the seam upwards.
Fold over twice the two overhangs and press with an iron.
Next fold over the top of the apron 1cm and press with iron. Then fold in half so it meets the seam with the middle part. Pin all along.
Placing the straps
Take the first strap (piece F) and place roughly 2cm in the top part of the fold. Pin into place and repeat for the other strap.
As shown in the video, start at the join of pieces A and B, stitch to top, then come back down.
Continue along all the width of the apron, finishing the other side in the same manner. Take care to remove all the pins as you stitch.
Fold the ends of the straps over twice and stitch solidly.
As shown in the video, start at the join of pieces A and B, stitch to top, then come back down.
Continue along all the width of the apron, finishing the other side in the same manner. Take care to remove all the pins as you stitch.
Fold the ends of the straps over twice and stitch solidly.
Assembling the bottom of the apron
Fold piece C in half to find the centre and match up with the mark on the middle part. Pin right sides together.
As for the top of the apron, mark the overhang with a pen, both at the join with the apron, and at 2cm from the edge.
Stitch bottom and middle together with a 1cm seam allowance, using the marks as starting and finishing points.
Iron this seam towards the bottom. Fold over twice the two overhangs and press with an iron.
Next fold over the bottom of the apron 1cm and press with iron. Then fold in half so it meets the seam with the middle part. Pin all along.
Stitch at 2mm from the seam, taking care to remove the pins as you go.
As for the top of the apron, mark the overhang with a pen, both at the join with the apron, and at 2cm from the edge.
Stitch bottom and middle together with a 1cm seam allowance, using the marks as starting and finishing points.
Iron this seam towards the bottom. Fold over twice the two overhangs and press with an iron.
Next fold over the bottom of the apron 1cm and press with iron. Then fold in half so it meets the seam with the middle part. Pin all along.
Stitch at 2mm from the seam, taking care to remove the pins as you go.
Adding the pockets
The pockets are optional.
Fold and iron each side of both pockets 1cm on wrong side. Fold the top at 2.5cm, press with iron and stitch.
Put the apron right side up in front of you. Place the pocket at 8cm from top seam and 1cm from the linen. Pin solidly.
Begin stitching at a slight angle, as shown on the video, and continue all around the pocket.
Finish with another angled stitch, this will make the pockets even more solid.
Fold and iron each side of both pockets 1cm on wrong side. Fold the top at 2.5cm, press with iron and stitch.
Put the apron right side up in front of you. Place the pocket at 8cm from top seam and 1cm from the linen. Pin solidly.
Begin stitching at a slight angle, as shown on the video, and continue all around the pocket.
Finish with another angled stitch, this will make the pockets even more solid.
All finished – get the glasses out and cheers!
