Stringless Apron Tutorial
 

To begin, I cannot take credit for the Stringless Apron. About three years ago someone who had me on the Secret Pal Swap sent one to me. She also kindly sent me the directions for making one. Well, sad to say I can't recall who it was and I've lost her directions. I couldn't find anything like it on the web, so I decided to do a really quick (read: far from perfect) version. I'm not big on measuring, so please adjust to suit your own needs.
I used fabric that is similar to toweling or something you might put on a dining room table. My piece was about 57" wide, so I cut a piece that was 28" long and 18" wide for the body. I guess you can use any kind of toweling since the standard size is about those dimensions.


Then you'll have to cut a strip for the neck loop. I made mine 30" x 3" -- but I think 24" x 3" is better. If you cut it longer, you can always adjust later.

Interesting concept. Nothing goes around the waist to keep it close to the body?

Nope. I like this design because it's fast and you can make them to give away without worrying about size -- and trust me -- too big or too small can be a big embarrassment. I'm whipping some up for the ladies who make cookies for shut in's. Perfect, too, because it's a towel so you can just wipe your hands on it.

Thanks for sharing. Look like something I could use.

It's so simple, yet so practical! I'm gonna have to make at least one of those. :thumbup:

Love this idea! TFS!!:thumbup:

I hate to say it Ladies but to me this rates right up there with big loose long sleeves as being dangerous when you are cooking. If you are wearing it while taking something out of the oven or near a gas or conventional electric stove burner it is potential TROUBLE, and yes, I was shouting that word. Have you ever seen a chef/cook in a commercial establishment wear an apron like that? Of course not! They must comply with certain safety regulations. As the daughter of a Safety Engineer for an insurance conglomerate I learned to look at everything with safety in mind. If you like the pattern, at least make a separate long tie (and keep it in the pocket) that would fit most all sizes. Watch the fat and the skinny chefs on TV to see how they tie their aprons...front or back (once or twice around, in other words) for SAFETY sake!!! Is it any wonder that the style went out of vogue years ago considering how litigious our society is? I doubt that you will find a commercial manufacturer of this style apron...they don't want to be sued. Sorry...I'm off my soapbox now. Stay safe!

Thanks for the tute! You mentioned earlier that you might make some for nursing homes. I used to make my DMIL bibs , she lived in an assisted living home. This pattern is simple and cute, wish I had it then!

Here is the finished one on my good friend, "Olga"

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I agree with you Donna. Cute idea, but just add the ties.

After seeing the picture of the finished product on the mannequin, all I could envision was it draping over an open flame on the front burner if you were reaching across to pots on the back burner.

In my mind, 'my' apron would be a heavier towel, rather than light-weight fabric . . . and my range is electric. Still, I suppose it could present a problem, if one wore it for cooking. :(

I would need a tie, I am clumsy and I have a gas stove

It looks very cute but dangerous, I too would be afraid of starting a fire, I'd definitely put ties on it. I'm going to use your tutorial and make these only shorter and call them bibs for the elderly or myself when eating seafood, or other messy foods. I've ruined so many of my blouses and tucking in a paper napkin doesn't always work.

My goodness ladies, I am sure that Krystyna deliberately took the time and energy to make a tutorial about an apron she hates (and uses all the time) just so that everyone could burn up in their kitchen for Thanksgiving??? NOT!!! I thought we are too treat each other with respect and kindness on this board and that first post about safety was anything but kind...no one is forcing anyone else to make anything they don't want to or feels is unsafe??? I'm not sure I would ever venture to have the courage to put a tutorial on this board if it were received as this one has been??? Shame shame...

Krystyna, I think your tute was very well done...great pics and directions...cute fabrics!!! Thanks much!! :)

Thank you, Ronda!
Actually, this is what I usually wear for safety's sake, but it was too hard to do a tutorial on it :p

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Thanks for the tute, I am going to make some for my granddaughters.

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Ahh come on Krystna: you can do it make a tute on this !<laughing > ...

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the excellent tutorial, but most of all for the good laugh! For use in the kitchen, I think I'll add a tie right under the bust to pull it in a bit over my more than ample belly, but for use as a travel bib while eating in the car or on the go, several without ties. Still laughing!!!

I am short so the fact that it is loose would not be a problem with the stove. I think it would be a great apron for the kitchen clean up after a meal. Ha ha even during a meal to keep that ranch dressing off your shirt.

The "travel bib" idea is a good one!! Those stops at fast food places on the road always end up with "special sauce" dripping down my front. Good tute -- thanks. Give my regards to Olga -- she's looking good these days.

What you don't see in the photo is that Olga is standing next to the fire place!!!!

OK, since you all confessed to being a little bit on the sloppy side, I've been using mine for those times I eat something on the sofa while watching TV. It inevitably ends up on my chest -- or worse yet -- in my bra! :D

It's so unfair that the "Boob Fairy" doesn't come until we're long past wishing we had any, and they do tend to get in the way -- ie. trying to drink something in a stemmed glass while sitting down.

As for the 'round the waist part ... I seem to remember buying this narrow, stiff flat white fabric-covered-plastic to use as a shaper in the top of those thread bins made of fabric. I also used it when making a nursing cover. Would that be strong enough to put around the waist to hold it in a bit? How about if it were doubled. What we need is a giant "slap" bracelet like the kids used to wear. There's got to be something out there that would work.

I believe that preventing burns IS a kindness. Sorry you took offense but in my profession (retired RN) teaching safety was a large part of my responsibilities. I have seen many burns from kitchen accidents and I would do all I could to prevent such an occurrence. My post was not to condemn anyone but to point out the potential for severe harm. Just because someone has used a specific item without harm does not render it safe, it only makes the user fortunate that no harm has been done. Nothing I posted reflected on the quality of a well done tute...it merely pointed out a safety issue that had most likely not been considered in the past. I feel no shame for my post!

Thank you so much for the tute, Krystyna...quite complete and I will be making some. In re to the safety issue if that is a concern for some....why couldn't you just take a long strip of bias tape (your choice of width), stitch up the open side, and just tie it around your waist if cooking?....would only take a nano second to stitch and wouldn't even have to be attached.

I feel the same way. I would never wear something long and floppy like that, no matter how well the tute was done. And the tute was done beautifully. But I can adapt that pattern to something I can wear. Like sew "strings" onto the sides. LOL It is actually a very cute way to put it together.

If I wore an apron like that to bake cookies, the ONLY way it could catch on fire is if I took a stick and poked the ends down into the bottom of the oven where the flames are. It's really not easy to get to naked flame, at least not in my stove and I think my stove is a pretty average/normal stove. Range top cooking...why would you lean your body over a lit range in the first place? Wouldn't your boobs catch on fire, strings or no strings? LOL

I've cooked in a lot of floppy outfits, hunching over large open flame (campfires) and no problems. I'll wrap my sleeves over my hands and shove my arms right into the flames to grab a pan...never had a problem. I wear cotton almost exclusively (wouldn't reach into a fire with polyester on) and it just doesn't seem to catch on fire very easily.

I don't understand why this apron would be significantly more dangerous than any other apron for cooking in your average kitchen. Working with machinery, I would definitely see the danger. But for cooking on modern appliances...I don't get it.

Have you been in my kitchen when I'm cooking? It is suppose to be secret! (you actually made me snort!!)

Here is my version of tie-less. The hoop fits all waist sizes, is not intended to go completely around the waist. Easy. Just make like a curtain sleeve to go onto the loop. One thing I learned is sew shut ends of sleeve (for lack of technical term) and make a slit about half inch from end, on inside, to weave band into. This way the material does not slide off while wearing. One band, many very washable aprons! http://img1.etsystatic.com/008/0/525...57711_hm1g.jpg

Here is your slap bracelet for the waist/apron. Really works. http://img1.etsystatic.com/008/0/525...57711_hm1g.jpg

I disagree with your interpretation and intent of the advice about burning. I think it was a considerate gesture to warn us. I would have worn it cooking but now realize the apron is more for other kitchen duties and is gonna be great for me in food prep, clean up, etc., (lots of hand-wiping surface, especially if made with a towel) but not for cooking. I have had a baggy sleeve catch fire as no body warned me of the hazard and I did not think of such on my own. (It may have been covered in home ec class but I probably slept through it). When we don't know each other personally, we do not know the facial expressions to go with the words. Because of this, when something seems a bit snotty or snarky or snooty or haughty in the delivery, I try to give the benefit of the doubt, believing most people do not intend to be mean. Thus, I did not see any trashing of the tute or even of the apron -- only the use of the apron for cooking. On the line of safety, more than one ER has been called for a woman whose top apron tie was hanging forward and got caught in the mixer or the stove. To disagree with someone or to give warning is not disrespect or lacking kindness. Compassion prompted the warning; not criticism.

Slap bracelet is interesting, but I wanted a very simple apron that I could give to church members while using up some yardage of the toweling I have. As for safety -- I've been wearing the one my secret pal sent me several years ago while cooking indoors and out and I haven't gone up in flames yet. It sure is convenient for wiping up the blood after slicing meat with dangerous knives and polishing dangerous glasses that can break and cut you. Much more worried about slicing my fingers with a rotary cutter, sewing my fingers together, or being buried alive under an avalanche of fabric! :p But we all have our own level of comfort and that's what makes the world go round -- not gravity!

YEAH! That's what I'm looking for. So where do I find one?

OMG,

I had a long day already and looked at the apron earlier. Off course I read the post, couldn't stop laughing about the boob fairy one.
Now I wanted to post what I would use it for and came across the slap bracelet that could help. Now I'm thinking, the bracelet will enhance what the "fairy" didn't. I'm sorry,it's been a long day, fortunately now it is a silly one.

Thanks I needed the laughter.

My use for this apron:

Whenever hubby disappeared in the garage and comes back, he has stains on his shirts. Might it be glue, grease or some kind of smudge. This apron now will help to keep them off.
Imagine embroidering tools or something like this on there, this will make a nice gift.

Yes, I know! I can hear some of you saying why waste thread to embroider an apron that'll get dirty, well because I think it's nice to make your husband or partner feel special too.

Thanks for posting the "so much talked about" apron. I love it and will make them for Christmas gifts. Another idea, should you have children and they like to craft, this will also help to keep the mess off the clothing.

Think the slap bracelet would work just fine. My question would be, why do you have to put it in a sleeve? Maybe I'm just lazy but I'd just put it around my waist OVER the apron if I were going to use one.....might paint it or slightly blouse the apron top over it...or...just leave it plain. Really...I'm just cooking, not serving at a 5-star restaurant!

Sorry, I wasn't very clear. The sleeve would be if you were having a half apron; you know, from waist down. Great idea you have there to slap it on over the much discussed apron. Check this apron out. I would buy one just to see how constructed and then make more for myself. http://www.seniortoo.com/uk/catalogs...esult/?q=apron The link may be in another language, click on the English/British logo at top right to be translated. This took me several tries. Cool beans.

There are still some slappers on ebay and etsy searching under apron-hoop or apron curvet. Also was an occupational therapy item until late nineties, it looks like. Then I came across this one but can not figure out how to get into the shopping cart to see how much. http://www.swereco.com/product/apron-hoop/

The actual slap bracelets kids are wearing have a metal band in them. Wondering wear to purchase those metal pieces in longer size????

Make your own slap bracelet; could the same effect be had for an apron using a wider tape measure? I would think it would need to be longer than the plastic apron hoop/curvet. Also would want to wrap in duct tape or something as being so long could do some face or eye damage if sprang back at you unexpectedly. If I try this, I will post the results. http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HT...nce/exp/title/

I love the idea of embroidered tools! And cut to the right size, a craft apron is great, too. I am always covered with wayward threads and I think I'll try it as a sewing/embroidering apron!