Learn How to Sew an Egg Apron for Your Homestead

Learning how to sew an egg apron is super simple with this free pattern! This easy project is excellent for someone with a beginners skill level. It is a great introduction into sewing for the child that is eager to learn. It is an adult size apron but because of the apron ties it can also fit the younger ones comfortably. The best part is that the individual egg pockets allow you to ditch the egg basket leaving your hands free and able to carry-on with other chores!

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What is the best fabric apron for a kitchen?

Natural fibers such as: cotton and linen are the best fabric choices while working in a kitchen. They are breathable and will keep you cool as the kitchen heats up! I bought my fabric when walmart was clearancing some out. Joann fabrics always has a great selection on cotton and linen. If you are on a budget you can always recycle old tablecloths or you can also check yard sales or thrift store for material.

Materials You Will Need for this Waist Apron

1 piece of material measuring 96″ X 5″ (strap)

2 pieces of material measuring 17 1/2″ X 14 1/2″ (apron)

4 pieces of material measuring 17″ X 4 1/2″ (pockets)

Sewing machine

Material scissors or rotary cutter

Tape measure 

Ruler

Pins

Chalk marker

​Iron

Ironing board 

Chop stick (or something to help smooth out seams of fabric when turning inside out such as a pencil or butter knife)

Custom Egg-Gathering Apron Instructions

For the Apron Strap

• Cut out a piece of fabric that measures out to 96 inches X 5 inches. I used a yard of material. I laid the material out long ways and cut two strips to equal a total of 96 inches (5 inches wide) and sewed them together to get the correct measurement. I then trimmed off the excess material, being very careful not to cut the stitches, to reduce bulk.

• Fold the two sides (short ends) half an inch in and press them down with an iron.

• Next, fold the material in half (long ways) and press it down with your iron. 
• Open the material, long ways again, then fold in one side to the center crease and press again.

• Next, fold in the opposite side to the center crease and press. (similar to making a paper airplane)
• Then fold in half and press both sides together.

• Place the strap to the side.

For the Main Body of the Apron

• Cut out 2 pieces of fabric that measure 17 1/2 inches X 14 1/2 inches.

• Match printed side (right sides) of the two fabrics together. Wrong sides of the fabric facing out.

• Pin both sides and the bottom of the apron.
• Sew a 1/4 inch seam down both sides (that measures 14 1/2 inches), and across the bottom (that measures 17 1/2 inches). The other side that measures 17 1/2 inches is the top and will remain unsewn. If the material has a special print, as mine does, make sure that the print is facing the right direction (not upside down) with the unsewn opening of 17 1/2 inches at the top. 

• Make sure to backstitch when beginning and when ending.
• (TURNING CORNERS) When approaching a corner while sewing, make sure to keep the needle engaged in the fabric, lift the foot, turn the fabric in the new direction, place the foot back down, and begin sewing the next side.
• Carefully cut off the corners (without cutting the stitch) to help remove bulk. This will help the material lay flat when turned right side out.

• Turn the apron right side out. Use a chopstick to push the seams and corners out. Then press.

• Place to the side and move on to the next step.

For the Apron Pockets

• Cut out 2 pieces of material measuring 17 1/2 inches X 4 1/2 inches.
• Match the good sides of the material together, with wrong sides facing out. This will give you 2 “rows” for the egg pockets.

• On one side of each “row” (4 1/2″ side), pin the sides leaving a 2 inch opening in the center.
• Then, pin all the other sides.

• Sew 1/4 inch seam allowances around both of the rows leaving the two inch openings on one side of both rows. 
• Make sure to backstitch when beginning and when ending.
• (TURNING CORNERS) When approaching a corner while sewing, make sure to keep the needle engaged in the fabric, lift the foot, turn the fabric in the new direction, place the foot back down, and begin sewing the next side.

• After sewing both rows, carefully cut off the corners (without cutting the stitch) to help remove bulk. This will help the material lay flat when turned right side out.

• Turn the fabric right side out. 
• Use a chopstick or pencil to push the corners out and the seams.

• Press both egg pocket rows.
• Make marks every two inches on the top and bottom of the long side of both rows using a chalk marker or fabric marker.

• Make a 1/2 inch little pleat every 4 inches by gathering about a 1/4″ of material and folding it over and pinning it in place at the top and bottom of the pleat. (Both sides equal 1/2″: the one gathered is a 1/4″ and the other side is a 1/4″ = 1/2″ pleat). Make sure that each pleat is gathered and laid down in the same direction. Eyeballing the 1/2″ pleat is good enough! It does not need to be exact!

• Connect the top and bottom marks made between the pinned pleats with a chalk marker.

Assembling the Harvest Apron

Sewing the rows or pocket strips on

• Place the rows or pocket pieces on the apron, making sure the top of the opening of the apron is facing up and the pattern is going in the right direction. You can measure this or you can place them to your liking.

• Pin the short sides and bottom of the rows to the apron.
• Sew a 1/4 inch seam securing the sides and the bottom of both rows to the apron but leaving the tops open.
• (TURNING CORNERS) When approaching a corner while sewing, make sure to keep the needle engaged in the fabric, lift the foot, turn the fabric in the new direction, place the foot back down, and begin sewing the next side.
• The pockets will get a lot of wear from holding the eggs so make sure to backstitch when beginning and when ending.

• Sew down the remaining 2 inch marks (between each pleat) on both rows that is not a pleat. Again, making sure to backstitch when beginning and ending.

• Remove the pins holding the pleats down and press the apron.

Sewing the strap on

• Find the center of the strap by folding it in half. 
• Place a pin down the center as a marker.

• Place the apron with the open side facing up on a flat surface.
• Match the center of the strap with the top center of the apron.
• Open the strap up and shimmy the top of the apron between both sides of the pressed strap so that it is sandwiched together and the strap is on either side of it.

• Pin the strap into place, also securing the sides down the length of it.

• Sew a 1/4 inch seam starting at one end of the strap, pivoting the corners, continuing across the apron, and down to the other end of the strap.
• Make sure to backstitch when beginning and when ending.

You did it! Enjoy your sweet egg-gathering apron!

​Other Fun and Easy Sewing Projects

How To Make An Easy DIY Sink Skirt For Your Home

How To Make An Easy DIY Basket Liner (Sew Tutorial)

Easy Tutorial on How to Sew Reusable Bowl Covers