Thread: 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 need some quilting cotton that goes nicely with your body fabric. Since mine was 44" wide, I decided to cut a piece that was 11" x 8" and that way I got four "bibs"

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.

Off to the sewing machine! Take the bib and hem the short ends about 1/4"



Finger press the long edges - about 1/4" in



Then get the toweling piece. This fabric was sort of stringy.
Normally I would have taken it to a serger, but they were not behaving today so I made them sit in the corner for a time out.


I decided the best plan was to use a zig zag stitch and pull the wayward threads as I went along.
Hem the two long sides and the short side that will be your bottom. 1/4" or round about is good.



Back to the cutting table we go!
Finger press the bib piece in half, wrong sides together.
Figure out where the middle of the body part is. Pretty easy with this fabric!


--- Stay tuned --

Now fold wrong sides together and place behind the body. Fold half over to the front.


Bring the edge of the body over to just a smidge inside the bib and pin. Right side and left, too



Now comes the fun part. With the body part that is all scrunched up inside the bib, form a lovely little box pleat. The tucks look best if they are coming from opposite directions. Pin them in place.






Back to the machine! I decided to zig zag it in place for stability and also just in case things didn't line up too perfectly in the back. (I know you'll be more careful with this than I was.)



Top stitch the sides of the bib closed.



Since the bib is actually a sandwich, you can quilt it anyway you like.
I just did some simple lines for expediency.


--- more to come --

Technically this stringless apron does have a string -- the neck loop.
I cut a strip 3" wide x 30" long. That was too long.
What was I thinking? 24" was better ... experiment.
Sew right sides together and turn inside out.
(While struggling with a safety pin to turn the tube, I kept thinking about my darling hubby who held up a tube turner and said, "Look! 85% off!" To which I replied, "What would I use that for? Ha!")


Tuck the ends in to be tidy and top stitch.


Attach to the edge of the bib on the front side ending about half way down the bib.



Hand stitch on a cute button. I didn't have anything cute on hand, so these had to do. But have fun.


Back to the neck loop. If you made it too long, like I did, figure out how long you want it to be and snip off the extra. Tuck one end into the other and top stitch.



Extra ideas:
Decorate the bib with quilting using metallic thread.
Add some rick rack or fancy braiding to embellish.
Most importantly, have fun and don't sweat the measurements.

Originally Posted by Belfrybat

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.

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

Love this idea! TFS!!

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!

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

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.

Originally Posted by blueheavenfla

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!

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

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

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

Originally Posted by Krystyna

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

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

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.

Originally Posted by Nancy in Louisiana

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!