DIY Wipe-Down Apron Tutorial!

Hi!!

Finally I have I'm ready to share what I made with the tablecloths--DIY Wipe-Down Aprons! I know we all love the term "no-sew", but "no-wash?"-be still my heart

I feel like Paige needs an apron to do everything but breath. Coloring? Apron. Play-Doh? Apron. Cooking? Apron. Gardening? Apron. Playing Bakery Shop? Apron! But if I washed her apron every time she wore it, it wouldn't be never be around when she needed it. I really wanted an apron that I could wipe down with a rag, so...ta-da! We made one! And since her friend was over that day, we had to make two. :O) 

Aren't they cute?


And they are made from these plastic tablecloths, so you can choose whichever color or pattern you can get your hands on! I would recommend getting a more heavy-duty one, since some cheap brands may tear too easily. Here are some nice colorful ones from amazon


Want to make one? Ok! Here we go:


Detailed instructions:
  • Cut your pieces out. Skirt piece: a large rectangle, with the tablecloth's finished edge on bottom. Width=waist measurement+2", length=desired+1/2". (i.e.Paige's was 28"x14", her friends was 30"x16"); waistband/tie piece: with finished edge on one side. With=5", length=50"-60" for child's size; two pocket pieces: 6"x6"-top edges should have finished edge.
  • Hem the sides of skirt pice by folding under twice and sewing.
  • Fold the edges of the pockets under once and pin evenly to skirt pice. Sew three of the sides, leaving the tops open.
  • Gather the top of the skirt by sewing a long straight stitch and pulling one of the threads. (Full gathering tutorial here)
  • Fold over the unfinished long edge of the waistband/tie piece and baste or pin.
  • Fold the each end of the tie piece in half widthwise with right sides facing and sew, then turn inside out.
  • Fold the waist band in half widthwise with the skirt piece centered in between.  Pin and sew all along the side of the waistband/tie piece.

And done!



Another great option, I think, would be oilcloth by the yard, which is available at many online fabric stores as well as some of the brick and mortar ones. Although, technically I've never worked with it, so I'm not sure-would it ruffle well? 

What about boys?? -I know, boys need aprons, too! (Probably even more than girls, actually!) They have some cute boyish tablecloths out there like here and you could easily alter the pattern for a boy by simply using half the width of the skirt piece and not gathering it. Another idea for a boy would be to purchase an inexpensive canvas apron here and copy the shape, sewing the plastic fabric (with edges folded under) to the front of the apron to make it wipeable. 

I hope you enjoy!

Love,
Disney



Comments

  1. VERY cool Disney! I don't know why I should be so surprised with how creatively you used the tablecloths! You'd think that by now I would come to expect amazement! Keep it up friend. I love seeing what you come up with next :-). Thanks for the wonderful ideas.

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  2. Gorgeous! I've worked with oilcloth before and it wasn't very kind to my sewing machine...it's sort of a tough fabric to sew with...in my opinion! Though there are so many cute patterns of oil cloth out there!

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  3. These are gorgeous! And I'm a big fan of anything that doesn't need washing.

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  4. As a mom of two boys I'd say they need an apron that covers their top as well. I made some aprons to my boys last Christmas, a simple shape that I just cut out from a oilcloth and sewed some cotton ribbon around it. You can see pictures of it here: http://enklarejohanna.blogspot.com/2011/12/symote-forkladen-for-sma-julbagare.html

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  5. OMG, these are too darn cute. What a great idea to make "wipeable" aprons. And wow, you found some super cute dish cloth prints.

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  6. How cute, simple, & smart! The plastic cloth is prefect for kids {& probably me) apron! So so smart! Thank you for sharing!

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  7. ooh I love these! What a simply brilliant idea! I have two little turkeys that just might be sporting these very soon. Thanks for sharing!!

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  8. I love these cute girly aprons! I only have boys so this winter I made some boy aprons using pretty much exactly the method you described at the end there. I love using vinyl table clothes to make other kid-friendly stuff. Hope you are having a great weekend!

    P.S. If you want to see my aprons they are here : )

    http://everneveragain.blogspot.com/2012/02/diy-kids-aprons.html

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  9. Disney, your blog is SUCH a pleasure to read - each and every time. I adore the writing, the pics and your fabulous DIYs. This apron = extremely cool. Love it!

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  10. Gosh! Your daughter is SUCH a cutie!
    Did you ever think of selling these? The idea is fashionable, cute, and genius. LOVE IT! LOVE IT!! LOVE IT!!!

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  11. Gosh! Your daughter is SUCH a cutie!
    Did you ever think of selling these? The idea is fashionable, cute, and genius. LOVE IT! LOVE IT!! LOVE IT!!!

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  12. Ah-DOR-able!!!! So stinkin cute!!!!

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  13. wow, two great ideas in one! buy plastic tablecloths at Big Lots (didn't think of them, and I was tired of the selection at Home Goods), and make an apron out of it! Thanks! I am also going to make reversible placemats out of plastic tablecloths.

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  14. You are brilliant as always! love this idea! just pinned it!

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  15. Genius! I love it! What a fabulous idea.

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  16. I just wanted to let you know that I featured you today on Blissful and Domestic. Stop by and Check it out!

    Danielle @ Blissful and Domestic

    www.blissfulanddomestic.com

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  17. What a great idea and super cute given the great tablecloth designs they have now instead of the old fashioned checkered or plain only choices years ago.

    Thank you

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  18. That's genius! I LOVE it. I avoid hemming at all costs so this is perfect!

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  19. Brilliant! I love this, perfect for my daughter, an aspiring artist.

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  20. I want to make one! ~ Kara

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  21. Cuteness! My mom actually made me aprons for cosmetology school and work to keep my clothes clean while doing body wraps and messy facials. She used shower curtains. We got the idea from a girl at school who's mom had made her's out of shower curtains. Never would have thought of table clothes. :)

    PS> we miss you all lots!

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  22. You did a fab job Disney!! They turned out lovely!!

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  23. beautiful :) i love your step by step pictures. they're much easier to follow along than endless words to me!

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  24. I think this is my favourite tutorial yet. These aprons are adorable and it's such a creative use of the tablecloths!

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  25. I think this is my favourite tutorial yet. These aprons are adorable and it's such a creative use of the tablecloths!

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  26. What a fantastic idea! I love, love, love it!

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  27. Brilliant and just darling! I want to make one!

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  28. Cute! I saw a bunch of cute fabric at Hobby Lobby the other day for making diaper covers if you use cloth diapers...that fabric would work well, I would think. I'm thinking bibs for baby gifts, tho, as I have 3 country boys and, to be honest, a bubble would be the only thing able to keep them clean....

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  29. Wow! What a great way to use table cloths! Ingenious. I think I'd like a full length one for when I get messy and do paper mache.

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  30. I love something that doesn't need to be washed and ironed! Those are very durable too. Those tablecloths would make a great artsmock, too! You're so creative, Disney!!
    Jenny

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  31. Thank you for sharing! I shared your post on
    Needle and Hook Patterns


    Actually all your post for apron making.... just had to share! I love your site!

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  32. I made this for my God-daughter for her birthday and it turned out fantastic! Thank you!

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