Little Ruffle Apron

My little girl loves to follow me around!  I'm sure that some of you can relate.  If I'm folding clothes, she right there folding.  If I'm cleaning the bathroom, she makes sure that she has a rag and spray bottle.  There is no difference in the kitchen.  She loves to help me cook and clean!  And you will always find me wearing an apron!  In fact, I will even wear it driving my kids to and from their various activities!  This little girl needed an apron!

So I found some cute material that I had laying around, and starting my cutting. 

(Now these instructions are for my 2 year old.  I did a lot of  "holding up" to her to see if it would fit.  You will have to adjust accordingly to your needs.)

I started with the bottom skirt part.  I cut it about 10 inches long and 12 inches wide.  And then I curved the bottom corners.

Now on to the ruffle.  I cut about 80 inches of 3 inch wide coordinating fabric.

And then turned it into a ruffle.  Now, I didn't use the whole strip of ruffles.  I had just a little bit left over.  But you will use this for the skirt and the little ruffle on the top of the apron.

Then pin it on and sew it.  After I sewed it on, I finished it off by using a hem stitch.  I just like everything to look nice and finished.

Now, I had trouble with the ruffle laying flat.  It wanted to turn up.  So I used a simple "decorative" stitch to attach the hem to the apron and it looked cute and served the purpose of laying flat.

At this point, I added a little pocket.  I always put my cell phone in my apron's pocket and I just knew she would want a pocket for her little treasures.  I added the same "decorative" stitch, just for fun!

Now, I don't have pictures of this step, but I did the waist part.  I cut a 4 inch piece of fabric and measured it around her waist and made sure there was enough to tie a cute bow (about 50 inches).  I folded in half and ironed it and then folded the edges towards the middle and ironed it again and then sewed it.

After finishing the long waist band, sew it onto the skirt.  I also added the "decorative" stitch to the skirt just under the waistband.  It held the hem flat and looks cute!

Now on to the top part.  At this point you could leave the apron as it is, or add this top part to it.  I know that I always get my shirt messy when I cook, so I could always use the extra protection.  And my daughter will be using it when she cooks and EATS! 

I cut a piece of fabric 12 inches by 7 inches.  Measure on your child how wide you would like the top part to be.  I picked 4 inches.  So fold the fabric in half and cut from your measured part down to the corners.  It should look like this: 

Here is what it looks like unfolded:

Finish the side seams.  Add the ruffle to the top.  (I found that the top was a little too high for her, so I took off about an inch and a half from the top.)  I also added that same "decorative" stitch to attach the ruffle hem to the main part of the apron.

I did the same thing for the top ties as I did the waist band, expect I used a 3 inch piece about 40 inches.  I ironed it the same way and sewed it.  Cut it in half and sew the ties to the top.  I thought about adding Velcro to it, but I liked the way the ties looked like.

Now sew the top part to the skirt part!  Got it?  So cute and "girly".  The ruffles add the perfect touch!

The back of the skirt:

Now she's ready for the kitchen!  And looking adorable as well!