I've been wanting to turn this really cute men's shirt into an apron for 2 months and I finally got around to it now that I have a working studio in our new garage. I say it's working because T is working on bits and pieces of the garage every weekend but we can at least use the inside and I can move all of my art stuff over onto the handmade shelves. I think I got work on my mind because each step ends with "it," much like our branding campaign...
{supplies}
- (L) Men's long-sleeved button-up shirt
- (1) thin cloth belt
- thick chenille fabric for pockets
- ingenuity
{1 sketch it}
Start with what design you want to implement. It doesn't have to be perfect, just throw what's on your mind onto paper and let it grow from there. I was thinking old-school aprons, but realized in a stroke of genius that why deviate from the material I was using? Why should I just use the print of the shirt instead of working with what I had? So, the pattern on the sketch is somewhat different because I didn't need to cut the shirt in half, hamburger-style.
{2 compile it}
Collect your materials which isn't much- your shirt, belt, and pocket fabric pieces.
{3 deconstruct it}
Cut the men's shirt from the collar to the armpit so that it makes a halter-styled top. Do it on both sides and save the sleeves for later. Yes, that is a "Build It" tape measure from work.
Now that you have the sleeves, put one aside as you'll only need one. I personally despise sewing parts of a project that make is necessary to put it together because it tends to be so boring. Therefore, I thought the sleeves were perfect for this because the cuff of the sleeve could be the cute addition to the ties of the apron.
Fold the sleeve so that the open end of the cuff is facing you. Press down and make sure it's even on both sides. Cut it straight down the middle so that it separates into two pieces. You'll want the ties to be about 2" wide. Trim any excess fabric off and sew along the tie inside out without closing up the end. Pull the tie out again so that the fabric is no longer inside-out and sew up the edges. You'll get two ties like the picture shown below. 
{4 sew it}
Once you're done with the sleeves, fold over about 1/4" of the main fabric and sew from the collar to what was the armpit to secure it.
You are now halfway done! Check out your new halter-styled apron. But we're not done yet. All we'll need to add are the straps, pockets, and belt.
{5 pocket it}
So you shouldn't really pocket things, but if you were, this pocket would be appropriate. But I'm not entirely sure how you'd pocket a pocket that hasn't been sewn yet... Which leads me to the next step. Create your pocket. The pocket in my sketch is different than the one shown below. I chose a more organic and leaf-like shape because the print on the apron comprises of flowers and leaves, therefore a round pocket would be too blocky for such a unique print. To make a symmetrical leaf, I folded the fabric square in half diagonally and made my cuts. Make sure, if you're using this pocket for function, that you leave enough room for your hands to fit.
Cut the belt to fit along the top and pin it. Fold in the ends so that no threads show. Sew the trim onto the pocket, repeat with the other one, and put aside.
{6 pin it}
Place the pockets where you'd like them to lay. Also place where you'd like the belt to be as well. Pin the apron straps to the side of the apron. They can meet at the ends of the belt for visual consistency's sake.
Pin them all down!
{7 sew it}
Sew the straps and the pockets onto the apron. Do the same as well for the belt.
{8 try it}
Try it on as you sew to make sure placement is where you'd like it. I think this beast is DONE!
{9 tie it}
Tie your apron with the straps you made from the sleeves!
{10 work it}
Per Missy Elliot's request, you better work it. If you have any questions about this tutorial, feel free to email me at entwinedhair@gmail.com.
Peace,
Crystal
