Free Kids Apron Pattern – 3 sizes!

DIY Apron Pattern Free
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I feel like it would be handy if my kids just wore an apron alll day! From cooking, to arts and crafts, little ones seem to have a constant supply of drips, spills, and fingerprints. To celebrate those messes in style, I’m sharing a free kid’s apron pattern and tutorial (including a video!) with you, so you can make your little one a DIY apron that’s ready for all the activities! And once you learn how to make an apron, you’ll love getting to customize them in your little one’s favorite colors and fabrics.

DIY Apron

This free kids apron pattern comes in 3 sizes: 3-5 years, 6-8 years, and 10-12 years. I’ve had many requests over the years for an updated version of our original DIY apron for kids, so I hope you and your little ones enjoy this new and improved version (my little guy below in the original version is now a full fledged teenager)!

If you haven’t sewn a DIY apron before, this is a great beginner project. I’ll teach you how to make an apron and you’ll be a pro in no time flat. And if you prefer following video tutorials to photos, I’ve got you covered with a detailed video tutorial as well!

How to Make an Apron

Using pre-made, double fold bias tape makes this a cinch to sew up, but you can always make your own to use if you’d prefer!

DIY Apron

The apron comes complete with customizable pockets that are perfect for holding all of your little one’s most important supplies ;).

How to Make an Apron

One of my favorite birthday gifts to give is a little cooking set with a matching apron using this free kid’s apron pattern. The recipient is always so surprised and excited to get real cooking supplies of their own!

How to Make an Apron

If the recipient is more into arts and crafts, another fun idea is to pair the DIY apron with a set of paints.

I love teaching sewists how to sew quick and easy projects, like how to sew a simple skirt in just 15 minutes. A couple of my other favorites are these lip balm holders and, I couldn’t forget, a fun scrunchie that can be made in minutes (we even have a free pattern for mini scrunchies for the tiniest of ponytails)!

How to make scrunchies

If you’re looking for a ruffle-fied apron, try our Mommy & Mia Apron Pattern. I can’t resist a sweetheart neckline, whether it’s on an apron or a dress!

How to Make an Apron

DIY Apron for Kids

Materials: (affiliate links below)
3/4yd (sizes 3-5,6-8) / 1yd (size 10-12) quilting cotton or home decor weight fabric
1/4yd coordinating fabric for pocket

2 packages (size 3-5) / 3 packages (sizes 6-8,10-12) extra wide double fold bias tape

Access free pattern download HERE. Complete the checkout process (no payment info will be asked for), and you’ll then receive the download link in your inbox. If you don’t see it in your inbox, be sure to check your junk folder. You’ll create an account during the checkout process, and once your checkout’s completed, you can also access the pattern in your account under the “shop” tab above.

Print pattern at 100% (no scaling). Tape pages together and cut out pieces as directed.

free apron pattern

Watch the video tutorial below, or head over to our YouTube channel to watch (be sure to subscribe while you’re there to keep up with our latest video tutorials!).


how to sew an apron

Instructions:

Note: When sewing with bias tape, keep in mind that one side is folded narrower than the other.  Always sew with the narrow side on top, ensuring that the bottom folded side (the wider side) will be caught by the stitches.  The fabric raw edge should be sandwiched into the fold of the bias tape as snugly as possible.

Safety Note: Be cautious with the use of long ties and little ones. Double knotting the finished ties permanently (loose enough to still allow the apron to slide on overhead) is recommended for safety purposes for this free kid’s apron pattern.

Sandwich bias tape around top straight edge of apron.  Stitch bias tape to apron close to folded edge.  Trim bias tape at each end.

DIY ApronDIY Apron

Sandwich bias tape around top and bottom long edges of pocket piece and stitch in place.

DIY Apron Bias Tape Apron

Place pocket on apron, aligning top edge as marked on pattern piece, and matching raw side edges of pocket with apron side edges. Pin in place and stitch pocket to apron on each side using 1/4″ seam allowance.

How to make an apron How to make an apron How to make an apron

Stitch along bottom long edge of pocket, close to bias tape edge, securing bottom of pocket to apron.

Apron tutorial

Use ruler and disappearing or washable ink pen to create pocket stitch lines as desired. Stitch over each line, forming multiple pockets.

Apron tutorial Apron tutorial

Sandwich bias tape around one straight side of apron (leaving curved edges).  Begin stitching bias tape to apron side, stopping when first corner is reached (which will be the bottom corner of apron). Lift the presser foot and trim the thread. Open fold of bias tape to form mitered corner, then begin stitching again until the next corner. Repeat steps when next corner is reached, then continue stitching bias tape to the remaining apron side.

Apron tutorial Apron tutorial DIY Apron

Mark 18″ from the end bias tape.  At the 18″ mark, begin sandwiching/pinning bias tape around one curved edge of apron, starting at the top of the apron. Measure 24″ along bias tape past the apron edge and trim bias tape at that point.

How to make an apron How to make an apron

Beginning at top free end of bias tape, stitch close to edge of bias tape.  If desired, you can turn the raw edge under before beginning your stitches, but as bias tape does not tend to fray, it’s not necessary.  Backstitch once or twice when you reach the apron top edge and continue sewing, stitching the bias tape to the apron along the curved edge.  Backstitch again when you reach the end of the curved edge, and continue stitching to the end of the bias tape.

DIY Apron Apron tutorial

Repeat with other curved side of apron and bias tape. This is the last step in sewing this free kid’s apron pattern!

DIY Apron How to make an apron

Great job! Now that you know how to make an apron, you just may find yourself looking for excuses to make more.

DIY Apron for Kids

If you enjoyed this free kid’s apron pattern, be sure to share your finished DIY apron on Instagram and tag me (@sewmuchado) – I love to see your projects! You can also come share in our private FB group here!

How to make an apron

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61 Comments

  1. Oh my gosh! I love this! My little boy LOVES helping in the kitchen, so this will be perfect for him. He’s also getting an art easel for Christmas, so I think I’ll be making at least two of these. Thanks for the pattern and tutorial!

  2. I love the fabric you chose for that apron! Thanks for the freebie. Sometimes I spend way too much time on the internet just looking for free patterns for specific projects!

  3. Thanks ladies! The fabric is from Ikea, I think it’s relatively new there… I’m glad you love it as much as I do :).

  4. Oh my gosh! What an adorable little apron and your model is just super cute as well. I LOVE that very last picture of him. LOL TOO CUTE!
    Thank you for such a great tutorial and pattern. Wonderful job. The fabric you used on your apron is awesome. Such perfect fabric for a little boy.

  5. That’s such a good tutorial for the apron. I bookmarked it and hope to make one for the 2 boys & 1 girl grands I have. Thanks so much.

  6. Hi, I love your apron, especially the fabric! I would like to invite you to link up to my new blog party, Masterpiece Monday, at my blog, Boogieboard Cottage. The link will be up until the 9th. I hope you can join in the fun!

    Happy New year!
    Mary

  7. Thanks for sharing this! I bought me a flirty apron and ever since my 3 year old has been asking me where his apron is.. hehe. So, I cut one of these out today.. now I just have to go buy the bias tape and he will be one happy little man. Thanks!

  8. very easy tutorials. love the fabrics and i’m sure boys loves helping in the kitchen with their moms.

  9. Thank You so much for this tutorial. I made two for Christmas gifts for my nieces and took it a step forward and appliqued their names on the pockets.

  10. Thank you for the tutorial! I made one for my toddler and made an apron (quite a bit larger) for my husband so Max and Daddy can work in the tool shed together. I can’t wait for them to open their matching aprons tomorrow!

  11. What a great tutorial. Your choice of fabric REALLY sets this apart. Great job!

    amy @ whilewearingheels.blogspot.com

  12. Abby, you are a STAR!! I have searched and searched for children’s apron patterns and just cannot believe how few there are. Finding you has been my saving grace!

  13. The apron is very cute! The only thing that was tricky was that there were no instructions for what the finished size is supposed to be. I ended up eyeballing it and think it came out too big for a four year old. Guess he’ll have to grow into it!

  14. Thank you! Easy and clear directions. I just finished one for my 6 year old nephew for a Christmas present; I’ll add a little whisk and cookbook and will be all set. Thanks!

  15. Much thanks for this pattern and tutorial. My daughter got in a jam for my granddaughter’s birthday party when the company she’d ordered aprons from delivered the wrong item yesterday.

    I was able to modify your apron with the materials on hand so I could make her nine aprons for the cookie party today. Thanks once again for sharing.

  16. This is a darling apron and a very good tutorial! I did find that the 30″ piece of bias tape should have been about 37″. It would help if this correction was made in the list of materials needed.

    1. Hi Barb! I’m not sure why the link was broken, but it should be fixed now :). I also emailed you a link to the pattern. Good luck!

      1. Hey I love this pattern but the link just pulls up a blank page for me, not sure what i am doing wrong could you e mail it to me also? This is the cutest kids apron and i really want to make it for my little ones! :)

        1. Hi Erica! Did you get it to work? I just double checked and it looks like it should be coming up normal, but let me know if you’re still having issues and I can send it to you!

  17. I ended up modifying the project slightly so that I could make a reversible apron for my son out of two fat quarters he really liked. Turned out pretty good for my first real sewing project. Thanks for the great instructions!!

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  23. I made this for a little chef for Christmas. It was so cute, and so quick and easy! Thank you for the pattern and the video tutorial!

  24. Thank you so much for the pattern. I’m making a 3-5 year old size for a Christmas gift. I’ll send a picture when it’s finished. Joy

  25. Thanks for this pattern and the tutorial. I am wanting to make the smallest one. On my pattern page 3 and page 4 don’t line up. If I match the pocket placement line and the triangles, then the cut lines are off. It doesn’t look like your picture. I just downloaded it today, many years after you made this post. Help!

    1. It sounds like there was an error during the printing, I would recommend checking the “print as image” or “print as jpeg” checkbox to see if that helps! (Assuming you’re already printing at 100% and not set to scale.)

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