Learn how to sew a cross back apron for women. Cut list, pocket placement guide and video tutorial give you everything you need to make this simple sewing project.
This sewing tutorial is on my list of ‘waiting for spring’ projects. I don’t know about you, but I am dreaming of gardens, pools and bare feet.
This cross back apron pattern has been a highly requested project. I showed you how to make the same cross back apron for girls and I had so many people say, “But, what if I want one for myself?”
So, I got to work on getting some measurements together to make a pattern for women.
I didn’t know if I wanted to add the ruffle for the adult version, so I did a little poll on my Facebook page. An overwhelming majority said they wanted the ruffle. A few didn’t, and a few said to make it optional. So, that’s what I did! Below you will find measurements for a ruffle option and a no ruffle option.
Linen Fabric
When I did the tutorial for the DIY cross back apron or girls I bought a 55% linen 45% cotton blend. Prior to making that I only ever used 100% linen, like for this dress and this blanket. I decided that I can hardly tell a difference between the two. Since the blend is so much less expensive, I decided to go that route again for this adult pinafore apron tutorial.
I like the Kaufman Essex Yarn Dyed Linen on Amazon. It is available in every color you can imagine, and for a great price.
I bought two yards and still had some leftover.
My favorite colors:
Cross back Apron pattern Cut List
You will need two yards of fabric to make this apron.
Ruffle Option
Main piece 41″ wide by 28″ long- Cut 1
Ruffle 62″ long by 8″- Cut 1
Straps 21″ long 7.5″ wide- Cut 2
Pockets 10″ by 10″- Cut 2
No Ruffle Option
Main piece 41″ wide by 35″ long
Straps 21″ long 7.5″ wide- Cut 2
Pockets 10″ by 10″- Cut 2
Cross Back Apron for Women Sewing Instructions
Start by cutting the pieces from the cut list.
Prepare the straps
Take one strap piece (21″ by 7.5″) and fold it in half long ways. Sew the raw edges together all the way down the long edge with a half inch seam.
Turn the strap piece out, so that the raw edges, and seam, are hidden inside. Do this by placing a large safety pin on one end and fishing it through to the other end.
Press the strap flat with an iron to make the seams lay flat.
Topstitch on both long edges of the strap (the folded edge and the side with the seam).
Repeat with the other strap piece.
WHAT IS A TOPSTITCH?
A topstitch is a stitch that is sewn close to the original seam. It is on top of the garment, or project, and visible when it is complete. Its purpose is to make a seam lay flat. Watch the video tutorial for instructions that show this more clearly.
Prepare the pockets
Press one edge of a 10″ by 10″ piece one half inch, and then another half inch, to hide the raw edge inside. For the other three edges of the square piece press them over one inch.
Sew the spot that you pressed over twice, to create a hem. This will be the top of the pocket. Leave the other three edges un-sewn, as these will be sewn directly onto the main piece of the apron.
Repeat with the other pocket piece.
Prepare the main piece of the apron
Ruffle Option
Press the two short (28″), and one long edge (41″), over one half inch, and then another half inch, to hide the raw edges inside.
Do not press one long edge, as this will be where the ruffle will attach.
Sew down the two short sides with a half inch seam.
Leave the top (pressed edge) open for now, as this is where the straps still need to be placed.
No Ruffle Option
Press all four sides over one half inch, and then another half inch, to hide the raw edges inside.
Sew down the two short sides, and one long side, with a half inch seam.
Leave the top (pressed edge) open for now, as this is where the straps still need to be placed.
Prepare the ruffle (if adding)
Adding the ruffle is optional. If you plan to add it, press one long edge of the ruffle piece over one half inch, and then another half inch, to hide the raw edge inside.
Sew the area you pressed with a half inch seam, to create a hem.
Sew a gather stitch along the other (non-hemmed) long edge.
We will work on attaching the ruffle later.
Strap Placement
Take one strap and pin it 13.5″ from the side hemmed edge of the main apron piece. Put it underneath the pressed top edge of the main piece. This is the one that you left un-sewn earlier.
Take the other strap piece and pin it 13.5″ from the other edge of the main piece.
The two strap pieces should be about 6″ apart.
Sew the strap pieces in place. You will notice that the straps face down toward the main apron piece. To make them face up, away from the apron, flip them up and then sew close to the top of the apron to make them stay put. (Refer to the video for more clear instructions on this.)
Turn the apron over. Take the strap on the left and crisscross it over to meet the outside edge of the main apron piece on the opposite side (like in the photo above). Pin the strap in place.
Repeat with the strap on the right, crisscrossing it over to the other outside edge.
Sew the straps, that are lined up with the outside edge, in place. Flip them up, away from the main apron piece, and sew along the top to keep them up (see photo below).
Pocket Placement
Place the hemmed top of the pocket 14″ from the hemmed top of the main apron piece.
Line up the side of the pocket 10″ from the hemmed outside edge of the main apron piece.
Repeat with the other pocket.
The two pockets should be 2 and 3/4″ apart.
Sew around the three sides, leaving the hemmed edge (the top of the pocket) open.
Attaching the ruffle (optional)
If you chose the ruffle option, it is time to attach it to the bottom (raw edge) of the apron.
Pull the gathering strings, that you put into the ruffle piece earlier, until the length of the ruffle matches the width of the apron.
Pin the ruffle in place, right sides together.
Sew all the way down, to attach the ruffle to the apron.
Finish the raw edges with a serger or zigzag stitch.
For more details on making ruffles, if you are a beginner, see THIS VIDEO.
And that’s it!
Enjoy your new apron.
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Get more apron patterns from the farmhouse
DIY Pinafore Apron For Girls Free Pattern
Cross Back Apron Pattern for Women- with video!
Learn how to sew a cross back apron for women. Cut list, pocket placement guide and video tutorial give you everything you need to make this simple sewing project.
Tools
- sewing machine
- 2 yards linen fabric
Instructions
RUFFLE OPTION
Main piece 41″ wide by 28″ long- Cut 1
Ruffle 62″ long by 8″- Cut 1
Straps 21″ long 7.5″ wide- Cut 2
Pockets 10″ by 10″- Cut 2
NO RUFFLE OPTION
Main piece 41″ wide by 35″ long
Straps 21″ long 7.5″ wide- Cut 2
Pockets 10″ by 10″- Cut 2
CROSS BACK APRON FOR WOMEN SEWING INSTRUCTIONS
Start by cutting the pieces from the cut list.
PREPARE THE STRAPS
Take one strap piece (21″ by 7.5″) and fold it in half long ways. Sew the raw edges together all the way down the long edge with a half inch seam.
Turn the strap piece out, so that the raw edges, and seam, are hidden inside. Do this by placing a large safety pin on one end and fishing it through to the other end.
Press the strap flat with an iron to make the seams lay flat.
Topstitch on both long edges of the strap (the folded edge and the side with the seam).
Repeat with the other strap piece.
PREPARE THE POCKETS
Press one edge of a 10″ by 10″ piece one half inch, and then another half inch, to hide the raw edge inside. For the other three edges of the square piece press them over one inch.
Sew the spot that you pressed over twice, to create a hem. This will be the top of the pocket. Leave the other three edges un-sewn, as these will be sewn directly onto the main piece of the apron.
Repeat with the other pocket piece.
PREPARE THE MAIN PIECE OF THE APRON
RUFFLE OPTION
Press the two short (28″), and one long edge (41″), over one half inch, and then another half inch, to hide the raw edges inside.
Do not press one long edge, as this will be where the ruffle will attach.
Sew down the two short sides with a half inch seam.
Leave the top (pressed edge) open for now, as this is where the straps still need to be placed.
NO RUFFLE OPTION
Press all four sides over one half inch, and then another half inch, to hide the raw edges inside.
Sew down the two short sides, and one long side, with a half inch seam.
Leave the top (pressed edge) open for now, as this is where the straps still need to be placed.
PREPARE THE RUFFLE (IF ADDING)
Adding the ruffle is optional. If you plan to add it, press one long edge of the ruffle piece over one half inch, and then another half inch, to hide the raw edge inside.
Sew the area you pressed with a half inch seam, to create a hem.
Sew a gather stitch along the other (non-hemmed) long edge.
We will work on attaching the ruffle later.
STRAP PLACEMENT
Take one strap and pin it 13.5″ from the side hemmed edge of the main apron piece. Put it underneath the pressed top edge of the main piece. This is the one that you left un-sewn earlier.
Take the other strap piece and pin it 13.5″ from the other edge of the main piece.
The two strap pieces should be about 6″ apart.
Sew the strap pieces in place. You will notice that the straps face down toward the main apron piece. To make them face up, away from the apron, flip them up and then sew close to the top of the apron to make them stay put. (Refer to the video for more clear instructions on this.)
Turn the apron over. Take the strap on the left and crisscross it over to meet the outside edge of the main apron piece on the opposite side (like in the photo above). Pin the strap in place.
Repeat with the strap on the right, crisscrossing it over to the other outside edge.
Sew the straps, that are lined up with the outside edge, in place. Flip them up, away from the main apron piece, and sew along the top to keep them up (see photo below).
POCKET PLACEMENT
Place the hemmed top of the pocket 14″ from the hemmed top of the main apron piece.
Line up the side of the pocket 10″ from the hemmed outside edge of the main apron piece.
Repeat with the other pocket.
The two pockets should be 2 and 3/4″ apart.
Sew around the three sides, leaving the hemmed edge (the top of the pocket) open.
ATTACHING THE RUFFLE (OPTIONAL)
If you chose the ruffle option, it is time to attach it to the bottom (raw edge) of the apron.
Pull the gathering strings, that you put into the ruffle piece earlier, until the length of the ruffle matches the width of the apron.
Pin the ruffle in place, right sides together.
Sew all the way down, to attach the ruffle to the apron.
Finish the raw edges with a serger or zigzag stitch.
Enjoy your new apron!
Pin it for later
Jennifer says
Is there any chance that you might be selling some of these beautiful aprons in the future? (Ruffle-free, pleeeese). ?
Vianka Archuletta says
Do you have measurements for extra large?
Suzanne says
First let me say that I love your blog! I was so happy to see the pinafore apron pattern. I have wanted one of these for so long but I just could not get myself to pay $75 for a apron. Thank you for such great detail in explaining how to sew one of these. Just have to wait for the fabric and I’ll be on my way to a darling apron.
Karen says
Another timely project! I just ordered a Japanese apron on etsy! But I am so happy to see this, as I definitely want to make more, and I already have the linen!
Your blog is my favorite!
Karen
Netagene says
Just found this. But I’m 5’3 and wear about a size 2x (Walmart size). I doubt your pattern would fit me! How about the size of your pattern, how to adjust for bigger (or smaller)? I have 2+ yards of linen or blend. I sew (used to take in some sewing). I love the pinafore that RoughLinen sells but can’t afford. Thanks.
Lisa says
Just increase the width a little, and strap length to accommodate. You want the main piece to overlap about four inches in the back, so measure accordingly. Hope that helps!
Danielle says
Did you happen to make the 2x version? I’d love to get the measurements for your pieces?
Sharon says
I would like the measurements for 1x
Thanks
ashlie says
is this in the indigo color or denim? i love it!
Ruth says
I have my pinafore linen apron from LinenMe (https://www.linenme.com/linen-aprons), but after reading this I’m tempted to make one myself.
Samantha says
Nice blog with some great ideas, but I have never seen anyone iron on a hardwood floor!
Lisa says
Haha That’s what i’ve always done!
Corinne says
Good Morning Ladies. As someone who has sewn for longer than I should ever admit, I am thrilled to see young people embracing quality self-sewn items. Like all projects, when you break them down into manageable sections you will quickly see that it is not difficult, it is a process. May I interject a fabric choice? I make many aprons, since I am retired now my day starts with an apron over clothing. I have aprons that I wear only with gardening, aprons that I wear only for studio work and others just for cooking. Now I have discovered that using quilting cotton is the perfect alternative to pricey linen. My fabric is most often purchased in a quilt shop (I am a quilter) but the higher quality fabrics in some chain stores is a good substitute. You want a fabric that can tolerate lots of washing. Jump in, keep it simple, this pattern is a good place to practice your skills just take your time, enjoy the process.
Lisa says
Oh yes, I love good old quilter’s cotton. Nothing wrong with that! 🙂
Chas says
What about a pattern for men to wear in the kitchen?
DJ says
I personally would say that without the ruffle this apron is pretty unisex. Pick yourself a “manly” color or print! My husband has a tan/beige colored and a denim apron for cooking. Before he was always splattered in sauce. He also has one patterned after the “home depot” employee apron.
Ana says
I love all your tips for real simple living style and I am a 53 year woman love you are taking care of your kids I did the same have 4 and 3 grandkids love your teaching for iron skillet, food I’m Hispanic and love home food and farmhouse living style Good bless you
Allison says
Thanks for the sizing adjustment clarification – I’m making 6 of these for 6 very different sized girls in a play!
Ann says
Does the Kaufman line shrink much? Should fabric be washed first?
sandy says
I am an older person and I have to tell you I love your blog. I am excited when I receive your e-mails.
I am enjoying watching you with your new house. I have bought the material for the throw and hopefully I get to it soon. Keep on posting..Thank you
Jess says
Thank you for the tutorial! attaching the straps used to seem like they required some kind of voodoo magic, but you made it very easy to understand and now I can make these aprons for all of the ladies in my family! Thanks again!!!!
Carmen says
Thank You so much for the Tutorial! I had wanted to make a pinafore apron since forever. I love it!
Karen Straughn says
Hello, for some reason I am not getting any of Lisa’s emails anymore. I have not unsubscribed to her channel so I am not sure what has happened. I was enjoying seeing the Farmhouse restoration and all she has to show her followers. I re-subscribed just in case I got dropped off.
I do not have a twitter account.
Thanks, Karen
Heather says
I just made this pattern using 100% cotton for Joann’s. I found the strap attachment confusing and had to reset them twice. However, I haven’t sewn in years, so that probably had something to do with it. But now I get the process and can make more. We are planning to use this pattern for a ladies night with my church. Thanks for sharing!
wilhelmina says
I love this apron! It is so fun to have a mommy and me option for myself and my daughter!
Lindsay Cotter says
Love that is apron is cross-back! Thanks for the great tutorial!!
Heather says
I’ve made two aprons using this pattern. I scaled the size up to fit my mother. They turned out very cute and were very basic to sew. I am a beginner sewer and I was able to make these aprons with little difficulty. I just wish I was better at sewing perfectly straight lines. Also, I had trouble making the corners of the apron looks neat. Something to work on. Thanks for the instructions!
Carol says
I wear a size 2X and wanted to sew this for myself. I saw the other comments t about enlarging gathering size but have a comment. You say that the back should overlap approx. 4” but in the picture of someone wearing it it does not look like it overlaps at all? How come you say it should overlap?
Stacey Brown says
Hi, I was going to let you know I have bought wonderful linen at reasonable prices from http://www.fabrics-store.com for several projects in the past. Great quality and very good prices. Check them out.
Abby says
I love your pattern except for the straps.. I’m 5’3” with a 38 bust and I could barely get it over my head. I made the straps 27” and it worked well. Thanks!
LR says
i’m having a similar issue… so frustrated! i’m going to have to make the straps longer. boo.
Rena says
Thak you for this pattern and your Pinafore Apron For Girls Pattern. I made them both without the ruffle for my daughter and grandson to have matching aprons. They cook together all the time and my grandson has his own toy kitchen. I can’t wait to see their faces when they see them!
Jenny says
What is the difference between the crossback apron and the Japanese style apron?
Jacqueline Dolores Sapien Lujan says
I m looking for the cross back approx pattern for women (& child if you have it)
Lisa says
Technically there is no pattern per say. Follow the cut list for the “pattern”. Here is the child version: https://www.farmhouseonboone.com/diy-pinafore-apron-for-girls-free-pattern
Colleen says
I’m so excited to find this pattern and can’t wait to go buy the fabric to make it.
ThankYou,
Colleen
olivia says
I don’t love this apron and will likely be giving it away. I am disappointed again in a FOB sewing tutorial. The straps, when cut at the dimensions are very thick and restrictive for my chest and back, even after moving them 1″ apart on each side from what the pattern suggests. I also feel the straps are several inches too short as this is pretty tough to get on and off. For size reference, I am typically a medium in most tops and have a small chest so this may have fit better on someone smaller but I’m pretty uncomfortable in it.
Another thing that was difficult that the directions did’t mention was leaving off the last few inches on the top hems to accommodate for the straps, both when sewing down the sides as well as when sewing the straps on at the front. This made it lay a little funky and I will likely notice fraying from the straps at the back. I would rather not rip out and try again so I just left it be.
Needless to say, I will continue use FOB for sewing inspiration but unfortunately, won’t use these tutorials again as I feel there are mistakes and for someone who isn’t very experienced, they’re missing key components that a beginner may not have learned yet.