If you have seen some of my posts, you know that I love to upcycle! A couple of years ago, I was at a bazaar and saw these adorable aprons made from a man’s dress shirt. The unique thing about these aprons is that you don’t buy material for this project. Just go into your husband’s or dad’s closet and see if you can have a dress shirt.
Suppose that is not an option; you can pick up a men’s dress shirt at Goodwill or your local thrift store. My husband recently retired, so he has lots of dress shirts he does not need anymore! So I grab one from his side of the closet.
These aprons are super simple and even a great project for a beginner sewist! There are very few supplies needed.
Check out the video tutorial below or follow the step-by-step instructions below! You choose how you want to learn to do this project! Let’s get started!
Supplies:
- Men’s dress shirt
- Scissors
- Pins or Clips
- Sewing Marker
- Sewing machine
- Ruler
- Thread
Step #1 Layout & Cut
I like to lay the shirt on the table, press the shirt and button it up then I cut off the arms of the shirt.
Then cut open the sides. I like to cut right next to the seam.
Step #2 Remove Back
Now it is time to layout the shirt. See below for an example. I like to take a ruler and draw a diagonal line from the armhole seam to the shoulder seam next to the collar and make it with a pen. Then cut along the line to the shoulder seam next to the collar.
Do the same steps on both sides. To ensure that the cuts are at the same diagonal I like to fold over my shirt and mark the other side using the cut you just made to use as a guide line. Then cut along the line to the shoulder seam and then around the collar. Make sure to leave the collar intact.
Step #3 Hem
Carefully fold over the edge that you just cut and press, then fold again and sew a straight stitch with your sewing machine to hem the edge.
Step #4 Ties
Use the back of the shirt for the ties. I lay the back of the shirt on the table and cut 2” strips at least 17 ” long. I like to use the hem of the shirt to start the tie. That helps save a step of having to hem your tie.
Step #5 Tie Prep
To finish the edges of the ties, I like to use a bias tape method. Fold the strips in half the long way and press.
Then fold each edge into the middle a press.
The fold the tie again and press.
Start a seam about 1/2” from one end and sew a 1/4” seam along the edge of the tie. I you used the hem of the shirt as part of you tie there is no need to hem the tie. I you did’t them add a finished look, fold in a 1/4” at the end, and complete the seam.
Top stitch both ties.
Step #6 Add Apron Ties
Take the tie strap’s open end, pin it to the apron at the corner under where your armpit.
Sew the tie to the apron. To reinforce the tie, I sew a square pattern.
Step #7 Add Pockets to Apron
This step is optional, but I like to have pocket’s on my aprons. There should have enough material left from the back of the shirt for a couple of pockets. Cut out a square 7” x 7”. If you have space at the bottom of the back that is hemmed use that as one side of your pocket. It will save a step in hemming the top of your pocket.
Step #8 Attach Pockets to Apron
If you want two pockets, cut out two squares. Layout your apron and decide where you want your pocket(s). Before I attached my pockets, I finished the edges. Fold each side of the rectangle under by 1/2” and press. Topstitch the top of the pocket if your square was not cut on the hem of your shirt. The top is one side of the longest edge.
Then place the pocket on the apron and pin it in place. Sew a straight stitch along the other three sides of the square to attach the pocket to the apron.
There you have it! An upcycled men’s dress shirt into a cute apron! If you used a shirt from hubby’s closet as I did, you made an apron for practically nothing.
So I think it is time to make a few more aprons for gifts. What about you.
If this project inspired you, then check out some of my other projects for more inspiration!
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