This is where I started; with a picture I saw on Pinterest. A simple smock apron of linen. A catalog item no longer available.
This is what I figured out on my own the first go around.
But I really wanted an apron more like the one I had found on Pinterest. So I made it again in linen.
Then I got a comment, a question really, about the apron. While researching I came across this.
Someone else also wanted this apron and their version has shorter straps and a wider apron than mine. Umm, let’s try it their way. I cut out some more linen using their measurements. I assumed the measurements were for the finished straps and body so I added seam allowance and cut the strap pieces wide enough so they could be sewn into tubes and turned out. Here’s what I got.
Closer to the apron I wanted. I was able to cut this out of one yard of 57″ wide linen; a lighter weight than my second apron. The pockets are smaller than I would like but that was all the fabric I had to work with.
I now think that the seam allowance is included in the diagram since I have so much overlap in the back and so much length. What the seam allowance would be, I don’t know. In the photo it appears narrow at the hem and sides, about 1/2″, and extra wide across the top edge, 5″ or so.
Sewing your own version of this apron is easy. A few straight seams and your done. For the “how to” please read the original posts Easy to Make, Back Cross Strap Apron and Easy to Make Linen Apron but cut to the measurements in the picture above. (You can google “cm to inches” for a handy converter if you don’t have a centimeter tape measure or ruler).
I’m tempted to sew it again cutting the pieces without adding seam allowance and finishing the edges like the original picture but, really, three aprons are enough for me.
And Now
I’ve made a three part video tutorial on how to make this apron from getting the best measurements and laying out the pieces for cutting to the very last pressing of your pocket stitches.
38 Comments on Japanese Style Smock Apron to Sew
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
This looks great! I’ve pinned the original pic too and thought, “I’d love to make that one day”! Interesting to see the measurements and that it’s better in a linen. The original pic looks deceptively simple but after seeing (from you) that it’s not so simple to copy exactly after all, I can also see what I like (& v.versa) about the style: the way the straps meet in a “V” shape at the back is attractive. Also the very wide front strap placement is unusual and stylish. But I also now see it works well on the model (and looks good on you) but that it might not work on bigger busted wơmen. Thanks for sharing.
I’m very glad you found my post helpful. It’s true how different some styles look on flatter chest than fuller chest. You wouldn’t think it would be such a difference. That said, I do love wearing my aprons when I’m cleaning or cooking. They help make my mind switch to “cleaning time”. I especially like the pockets. They hold all those little misplaced things I find – usually pens and rubber bands.
Yes I agree, I really like wearing aprons while cleaning too and sometimes I also wear them while gardening! But I’ve found when I’m wearing them while sitting down and eating it’s worse than no apron because if the front gapes and one drops anything it falls between the apron and one’s clothes and can sit there till one stands up … thus leaving worse marks on one’s clothes than no apron. Despite that,I still like this apron …might need to ‘tweak’ it though! Or just use it for cleaning and looking trendy when cooking!
Thank you so much for all of you work! I, too, have hankered for that dark blue-gray linen apron on pinterest! You’ve made it so much easier for me, and I’m grateful! Yours looks great!
Thanks so much. I kept seeing that picture on Pinterest too and could not find a pattern. I was determined to figure it out AND share it with everyone else who wanted it.
Thank you for sharing this project! It was great to see the same apron in different fabrics, especially as the look of it changes so much from one to another.
Last night, mainly using your photos, I created my own version of the Japanese apron and
I´m delighted with how it turned out.
I’m so glad you found the posts helpful. Different fabrics really do affect the outcome, and not just on aprons. This is a lesson I continue to learn (mostly through mistakes). I’m intrigued and actually thrilled that you created your own version. I love taking something basic and making it five different ways (like you can do with spaghetti sauce). Really great – thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for posting all your aprons. My copy turned out nicely, thanks to your instructions!
That’s great. I’m really happy to hear that. I like wearing this style apron better than my (very nice) Willam-Sonoma kitchen apron because it doesn’t have a strap pulling down on my neck. Sorry high-end kitchen store.
Did you still Sew the straps on at an angle on this one? Also 6cm. Wide straps only translates to 2.5 inches. They look much thicker than that. How wide do you think they are?
On the last apron I made (the browner apron) the straps in the back are lined up with the edge of the apron, straight up and down. The straps on my apron are 1 7/8 inches wide finished. Now, it’s been washed a dozen times so some shrinkage may have occurred but it wouldn’t have shrunk too much.
Thanks for your interest in the apron. Hope these answers help clarify the making process.
Thanks for sharing the process! Youʻve saved me the time and frustration of trying to make it work. Iʻm obese and heavy chested so I think it will work great. Iʻm going to jump in, buy some linen, and follow your second attempt. Iʻll send photos at some point.
Marilyn,
You’re welcome. I’m glad you found the post useful. It was definitely a process for me to figure the apron out but a fun one.
Please send a picture of yours and any questions you have while you’re making it. Thanks again.
Hello Marilyn
Did you make your apron? Were you happy with it? Am asking as I have a large bust and wondered if it worked ok on your body shape. Hope so!
I bought lovely fabric for this apron but haven’t tried making it yet. Perhaps I should start with a less expensive fabric. Your versions are appealing too.
Thanks for sharing your experience and including photos.
Since there is no fitting for the apron you could just jump on in with your nice fabric. Well, I would check the length before cutting. On the other hand, you could make it in something cheaper, work out any details, or just double check that you like it, and then, after you made the apron up in the nice fabric you’ll have two aprons. Works for me, I have three from all my different “testing”. I’m glad you like the post.
I’ve just returned from a research trip visiting Japanese kindergartens, and one of the things I noticed is that all the staff wear colourful aprons, to protect their clothes. I wanted to have a go at making one and this is PERFECT! Thank you so much for the clear instructions and videos. My plan is to share the learning from the Japan trip with UK nurseries and one of the key differences is the clothing they wear. I’m hoping to ‘sell’ the apron idea to our nurseries, in the hope it will encourage adults to be more involved in the play.
I’m so glad this post will help you make your apron. I sent the apron made in the video to my sister who teaches preschool to wear in her classroom. She does and finds it to be perfect for the job; pockets hold “treasures” the kids bring to her to hold, the back easily opens so she can sit on the floor with them, or squat next to them at their works. I hope you find your apron just as easy to wear. I did have someone suggest to me to make one big but divided pocket across the front. They find that their mobile phone ways the apron down on one side when they have it in the apron pocket. If the pocket went across the width they would put the phone in the center. Just an idea.
Mary, I was very excited to make this apron. I started a pottery class and actually used a paint tarp as my material. It turned out great . I wear it at the studio and I’m going to make one for home because I do projects at home as well. Thank you so much for your three part class. Linda Davis Houston , Texas
Thanks, I’m so glad you found this useful and had success with making an apron (good choice of material). It’s a great apron, easy to sew and easy to wear. Now, pottery – that’s fun but harder than it looks, or at least it was for me 😉 I’m just going to be envious of those who can manipulate clay and stick to sewing.
Canvas paint tarp is a GREAT idea! They’re huge and quite inexpensive. And the apron would be great for things like pottery making and gardening. A bit “beefy”. Thanks for the idea!
And canvas paint tarps are a better value than buying yardage.
Hi, I just found you via fabrics-store dotcom and glad I did. I too pinned that same apron from Pinterest quite some time ago, knowing that it would be an easy and quick apron to make. But Alas, haven’t done that yet. I have bookmarked this page and another one so I can watch your videos later. The Linen tips are great, never thought to make it in Linen or even a Heavy Linen. Wanna and gotta try that.
I collect Apron Patterns and love the Old Flour Sack types. If and when I make this per your help and instructions but with strap placement differences for a better fit to my bust n belly. Seems like moving the front strap placement in by at least 1 inch the fit could be or might be better especially with the front drape, I could be wrong. I will try it out on my Dress form when the time comes. I am petite in structure but got thicker in the last several years, so adjusting all I sew for myself is inevitable. Thank you for the time and webpage.
I’m glad you find the post helpful. This pattern is so simple you really could adjust it easily. The videos are newer than the website posts and made after I had sewn a few more so they may have better tips for sewing and figuring out what size to cut all the pieces.
I have to adjust all my patterns too – 🙁
In video #2, the verbal directions for sewing the strap tube together say “use a one-inch seam allowance,” but the allowance as shown looks narrower.
Yes, you’re right. It’s a 1/2 inch seam allowance. I misspoke and didn’t catch it.
Thank you for the great tutorial – especially the needle selection. Made this up in a denim colored linen for the kitchen – weight was just enough but I would go for a stiffer fabric next time. I did place my straps a little wide – lesson learned. I am a curvy lady and having an apron that fits is a blessing. Thanks again.
I think a heavier apron would be nice – heavier but not too stiff. My apron is also linen. It’s pretty stained but better a stained apron than ruined clothes 😉
Could you line this apron with a pretty inner fabric, giving it a bit more weight? Also If you lined it, you could sew the fabrics right sides together and turn by leaving an unsewn area and then topstitch around the apron, this would mean you would have to press all around to prevent the fabric from fraying and thus no burning of the fingers when ironing. Just a thought and looking for any advice.
This is a good idea. Lining the apron as you say, with two apron body pieces sewn right sides together on all four sides, leaving a few inches open to turn the fabrics right side out. Then fold the seam allowance in the opening in and sew it closed by edge stitching and maybe topstitching too, all around the edges.
It would take more fabric but could save some time and burned fingers because you wouldn’t have to fold and press all the edges. Really great idea, Thank you for mentioning it!
I’d like to make these as gifts for my nieces. I have *just* enough spare time between today and Christmas. I have their bust measurements and heights, so I can easily figure out how large around to make them. But how do I estimate length, from their heights? Two of them are 5’ even, and I don’t want the apron sweeping the floor nor getting in their way. Thanks for any help anyone can offer.
Dang – this is a Very Good question. I’m 5’7″ and my apron hits 4 inches or so above the knee. My apron is 30″ from top of apron to hem (I’m not counting the straps). So maybe make the apron 24″ from top to hem? If you have a friend anywhere near your nieces’ hight ask if you can measure them 😉 You just want to get approximate strap length and body length.
I like how the apron totally overlaps the back. I have a habit of wiping my hands more to the back sides of my hips and this is the best pattern EVER!! Thank you so much.
Thank you! I also wipe my hands on my backside 😉 And because I don’t see the dirt I’ve left behind I forget and go out in those same pants. I need to wear my apron more.
Do you recommend sewing this apron by hand? I do not have a sewing machine and sort of on a tight budget at the moment. 🙂
You could sew this by hand. Use a straight running stitch (basic stitch). You just need more time but hand sewing can be very relaxing.
Fantastic, detailed instructions. I learned so much, from using topstitching thread and needle, to designing my own apron. Made it out of light blue linen and put buttons on the straps in front for an added detail. The hardest thing is being okay with staining it! Thanks for fantastic directions. I’ve sent these plans to a friend.
Ha! That is funny about getting your apron dirty. Mine is awfully stained, but at least it saved my clothes from the stains. Thanks for feedback and sharing with friends 😉