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Merriment Design

DIY projects, crafts, free sewing patterns and printables that look handmade, not homemade

Home / Project Type / Accessories / Apron pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone poc ...

Apron pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

February 8, 2011 by Kathy

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Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and iPhone pocket. Makes a great DIY gift that mom and dad will be sure to use!

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket. Great DIY gift for Mother's Day, Father's Day, Christmas.

Here’s an original free apron sewing pattern with two built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket. Aprons have been glued to my body ever since I started feeding Elise – I find it’s just easier to wipe my hands on my stomach than find a dish towel.

I need something that would work for me as a stay-at-home-mom in an all-day apron so this is what I came up with, and I love it.

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

I’m thrilled to be a judge for Prudent Baby’s Sewing Machine Double Down Potholder Contest! Jaime and Jacinda’s easy potholder tutorials inspired me so much that I decided to make my own potholder version for the occasion – embellished with an attached apron and secret iPhone pocket. My original free apron sewing pattern has Jamie and Jacinda’s potholder pattern built-in, plus a secret iPhone pocket on the back so I can avoid losing my phone around the house.

There are two potholders, one on the left side and one on the right. It’s much easier to have the potholders “on me” than fumbling for them and juggling Elise.

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

On the back I used one piece of fabric to make the potholders which gave me a perfect opportunity to include that secret iPhone pocket:

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

Of course you’ll want to be careful when using this potholder apron with any open stove top flames but I’m finding that it’s so great to be able to quickly grab that pot or pull a quick cookie sheet out of the oven. And no more calling myself so I can find my dang phone.

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

So it’s time to start judging those Prudent Baby potholder contest entries for those drool-worthy sewing machines. Good sewing, and good luck!

Supplies for making a DIY apron with built-in potholders and iPhone pocket:

    • 1 yard of fabric (I used Heather Bailey Nicey Jane Church Flowers in Blue)
    • 1/2 yard of contrasting fabric (I used Heather Bailey Nicey Jane Slim Dandy in Blue)
    • 1/2 yard Insul-Bright Insulated Batting and 100% cotton batting – ideally use both, I used just the Insul-Bright because it’s what I had
    • 1 package of extra wide bias tape (or you can make your own using the Simplicity Bias Tape Maker
    • Rotary fabric cutter, self-healing cutting mat and clear acrylic ruler
    • Good fabric scissors
    • Good iron (like Rowenta)
    • Ironing board
    • Sewing machine
    • Pins (I prefer glass head pins)
    • Thread (I use my thread spool set)

 

How to make an apron with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

Cut apron pieces:
One 24″ x 24″ square (I used Heather Bailey Nicey Jane Church Flowers in Blue)
One piece 26″ x 4″ for the waistband (I used Heather Bailey Nicey Jane Slim Dandy in Blue)
Two ties 23″ x 3″ – you can make the ties shorter or longer as you wish (I used Heather Bailey Nicey Jane Slim Dandy in Blue)

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

Cut potholder pieces:
Two 9×20″ pieces (I cut one of Heather Bailey Nicey Jane Slim Dandy in Blue and one of yellow & white gingham)
Two 9×9″ pieces (I used Heather Bailey Nicey Jane Church Flowers in Blue)

Cut batting:
Four 9″x7″ (two of Insul-Bright Insulated Batting and two of 100% cotton batting)
Four 9″x9″ (two of Insul-Bright Insulated Batting and two of 100% cotton batting)

How to make potholders:

NOTE: I used Jaime and Jacinda’s potholder tutorials for my tutorial and built around it. I’m incorporating their steps in here because I altered them enough that it would be confusing otherwise, but if you ever want to make just potholders use their super easy tutorials.

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

Place a 9×9″ fabric square face down on the table. Put your batting on top. I used two layers of Insul-Bright Insulated Batting but I’m told that it’s better to use one layer plus a layer of 100% cotton batting.

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

You can either make your own double-fold bias tape using the Simplicity Bias Tape Makeror buy it. Cut a 24″ piece of extra-wide bias tape and pin the bias tape to the 9×9″ square and sew one side of the biding tape to the potholder. Repeat for the other potholder. They will look like this from the back:

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

Place your apron on the table right side down. Place a potholder on the right corner, right-side-up, and pin.

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

Repeat on the left side too. Quilt as you please – you’ll be stitching through the apron front and the potholder back, with the batting in-between. Remember that whatever you quilt will show on the apron front. I just did vertical lines like Jaime did, stitching 8 stitches between rows – sew up to the stitching line where you sewed down your bias tape and then turn. It’s not totally even but not too shabby:

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

Now pin the other side and quilt that down too. When you’re done with both sides the back will look like this, with the middle of the bias tape totally open:

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

And here’s the front, but ignore all my wrinkles – quilting took a beating on the rest of the fabric:

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

Now take your 9×20″ piece and place it right-side down on your table. Put one 9X7 piece of batting on both the left and right sides.

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

Sandwich it with your other piece of 9×20 fabric, right-side up, and pin.

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

Baste around the entire outside rectangle to hold the pieces together. Then on the left side, quilt the batting to the fabric like you did above. Repeat on the right side. You can leave the middle area un-quilted like I did or go ahead and quilt it too.

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

Cut two pieces of binding the same length as the short sides and sew.

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

I used the two-step binding technique – nerd.

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

Place your apron face-down. Lay the 9×20″ potholder piece on top, leaving about 2 inches on the left and right sides.

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

Remember that open binding tape on the top? Pin down the binding tape on top…

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

…BUT when you get to the middle, just put the binding tape on each side of the secret pocket like so – your hand should be able to fit inside like this:

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

Sew the left side binding tape, making sure to stop when you reach the secret pocket. Turn your needle and sew down to the bottom and around the bottom, leaving the middle open for now. You’ve basically sewn a big C.

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

Starting to look like potholders, yes?

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

Repeat on the other side.

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

Now you’re going to sew the binding on the top of your secret pocket. Slide the pocket lining back from the binding and sew, making sure not to catch the lining in your stitches. Now sew the bottom of the pocket shut too.

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

OK, so your secret pocket is done.

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

Now I try to avoid turning corners with binding tape (lazy) so I decided to round off the edges. Place a circle on your corner – I used a roll of painter’s tape – and trace the curve.

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

Now cut the curve off.

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

Sew binding around the apron outside, leaving the top fabric edge raw.

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

It’s looking like an apron now, right? Here is the front:

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

And here’s the back with the potholders and pocket:

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

How to make the apron waistband and ties

Cut one piece 26″ x 4″ for the waistband. You can interface it if you want but I felt lazy. Fold in half and press. Fold each long side in 0.5″ and press. It will look like this:

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

Turn in the left and right edges 0.5″ like this:

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

And pin:

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

Set it aside for a bit and now make the ties. You’ll do the same basic steps to make the ties – fold them in half and press…

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

Then turn up 0.5″ on each long side and press to the center.

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

No need to do its left side – just leave the edges raw. Pin the ties closed.

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

Sew your ties close to the edge.

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

Now repeat on your other strap, this time fold the left side in 0.5″. No need to do its right side. Slip the raw edge of the strap under the waistband…

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

…and pin.

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

Sew around the perimeter.

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

I made “X” shapes on both ends to make sure the ties are tightly secured.

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

And you’re ready to bake!

Free apron sewing pattern with built-in potholders and secret iPhone pocket

—

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Copyright stuff: You’re more than welcome to use this free project and tutorial for personal use. Contact me for commercial use and etsy sales.

 

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Filed Under: Accessories, DIY Gift Ideas, DIY Tutorials, Father's Day, Free Patterns, Mother's Day, Sewing Projects

About Kathy

I'm Kathy, maker of things and Chicago mom who likes simple and clever DIYs that look handmade, not homemade. I like sewing, printables, handmade birthdays, holiday decor and easy cakes. See my work at HGTV, DIY Network, Apartment Therapy, DesignSponge, more. ✂️

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Comments

  1. 1

    homepodge says

    February 9, 2011 at 12:44 pm

    This is great! I can never find my oven mitts when I need them. My sister’s better at sewing than I am… I think I’ll hint that I want this for my birthday. In a slightly more masculine pattern, of course 🙂
    *not that there’s anything wrong with florals. They’re just not my style.

    • 2

      Kathy Beymer says

      February 9, 2011 at 12:57 pm

      @homepodge I know, it’s a little girly, this one. Would love to see it in another fabric so if your sister does make it for you please post it on our brand new flickr “I made it!” photo pool: http://www.flickr.com/groups/merrimentdesign/

  2. 3

    Juanita says

    February 9, 2011 at 3:11 pm

    Great idea to have pot holder attached to apron. Will try to make one soon and post it in the “I made it” Flickr photo group. Thank you for the tutorial.

  3. 4

    Rachel says

    February 13, 2011 at 9:19 pm

    WHOA. I think this may be the coolest apron EVER. I love all the hidden secrets- wow! Thanks so much for this, I’ll be linking.

    • 5

      Kathy Beymer says

      February 14, 2011 at 12:31 pm

      Hi Rachel, thanks so much!! It’s really working well for me considering I pretty much live in it these days. Appreciate the link, as always!

  4. 6

    sarah says

    February 15, 2011 at 9:50 pm

    neat! I can’t wait to try this 😉

  5. 7

    Heather says

    February 16, 2011 at 4:30 pm

    This is stunning AND super functional. I would love to see what other folks come up with using this pattern…wow, the possibilities!

  6. 8

    Caitlin Kavanaugh says

    February 18, 2011 at 1:01 pm

    Thank you so much for sharing this with the FaveCrafts blog hop! This apron is absolutely adorable! Would you be interested in letting us publish this with FaveCrafts? Drop me an e-mail if you are interested and I’d be happy to send you more information.

    Thanks again,

    Caitlin

  7. 9

    Kat says

    February 21, 2011 at 5:17 am

    Wow thank you so much for the tutorial!! What a neat idea! Im going to have to add a couple of these to mine and my friends kitchens!!! 🙂 Great job!!!

  8. 10

    Ashley S says

    April 8, 2011 at 1:05 am

    I went to get the supplies to make this today, had all my fabric washed, and went to cut it… only to realize the measurements were off. I double checked to make sure I’d read things correctly. Forgive me if I’m wrong, but 1/2 a yard is only 18″, right? How do I make a 24″ x 24″ square for my main fabric piece if the longest I can make the cut side is 18″? Maybe I’m missing something…

    Otherwise, I’m simply giddy about this tutorial and am making it as a wedding gift to accompany a Pioneer Woman cookbook. Thanks for the free tutorial!

    • 11

      Kathy Beymer says

      April 9, 2011 at 9:40 am

      @Ashley, oh man, so sorry about that. I copied/pasted the link and forgot to change it. I hope you can find a new use for the 1/2 yard you washed. Good for you for preshrinking – I’m so lazy about that. We have the Pioneer Woman cookbook and it’s a keeper – the jalapeno poppers especially are sooo good. Thanks for correcting me and let me know if any of the rest of the instructions need clarification. And I would love to see your finished apron on our flickr group! http://www.flickr.com/groups/merrimentdesign/ Thanks again!!

  9. 12

    ASHLEY S says

    April 11, 2011 at 11:02 pm

    Just added my photos to the flickr group! Being new to the bias tape world, I actually bought quilt binding instead of extra wide binding. It’s not as neat as yours, but I was still proud of the product. Thanks again for the tutorial! Found one more typo in the instructions… for the measurements of the potholder pieces, you have two 9 x 7″ pieces, when in fact, the directions require two 9 x 9″ pieces. I learned this too late. Guess that means I need to start reading all the directions before I cut, like they taught me in school! Haha!

    • 13

      Kathy Beymer says

      April 13, 2011 at 2:35 pm

      Oh man, very embarrassing, sorry about that and I have made the correction to 9″ x 9″. Now I really have to come up with a craft that will use the pieces that you cut and didn’t use!! Love seeing the pictures, thanks for posting on the Merriment Flickr group!

  10. 14

    Sheila says

    October 18, 2011 at 11:39 am

    Awesome pattern will have to make me a couple of these.
    Thanks

  11. 15

    Jes says

    April 8, 2012 at 4:28 pm

    Great pattern! I saw something similar but the apron looked like half of a pleated skirt. I love this idea!

  12. 16

    KimSteinmetz says

    March 6, 2013 at 6:29 am

    This is beautiful and creative! What a wonderful tutorial! Your work is so nice looking. Thanks for sharing.

  13. 17

    Julia Edwards says

    July 9, 2013 at 11:22 pm

    I love this pattern. We have a Kris Kringle Challene with our Patchwork group. We gonna each make an apron and swap at Christmas. I’m gonna use the pattern we been given but incorporate your idea for the oven mitts. Thankyou for sharing.

    • 18

      Kathy Beymer says

      July 10, 2013 at 4:16 pm

      @Julia that sounds like a cool idea. I’d love to see your apron when you’re done and share it with my followers. If you wanna share it you can at facebook.com/merrimentdesign. Happy sewing!

  14. 19

    Sue says

    August 19, 2013 at 9:57 am

    Love this; had always thought it would be handy to have potholders attached but never took time. Rachael Ray’s moppins were interesting but folks said they weren’t thick enough and are apparently now discontinued. SO glad I found this!

    • 20

      Kathy Beymer says

      August 25, 2013 at 7:39 pm

      Hi Sue, I’m so glad that you found my pattern! Would love to hear your feedback and see pics of what you make, you can post them at http://www.facebook.com/merrimentdesign

  15. 21

    Laurel says

    October 14, 2013 at 10:38 am

    Fantastic tutorial. I’m going to make some of these for my girlfriends’ Christmas presents!

  16. 22

    GAY FERLAND says

    December 27, 2013 at 11:26 am

    I like your idea with a half apron. Thanks so much for sharing!!

    In 1982, I managed a supermarket bakery where I actually made potholders in an industrial apron. I had 3 extra pockets….I) for pens, temperature gauge 2) personal, 3) personals, I liked pockets. LOL!

  17. 23

    Phyllis Bowling says

    February 19, 2015 at 11:10 am

    What a great idea thanks for sharing. A good apron for the Church ladys.

  18. 24

    jean says

    February 19, 2015 at 11:16 am

    Neat iden but should you take out the iphone when you use the potholders.

  19. 25

    Linda says

    February 19, 2015 at 11:28 am

    Thanks so much

  20. 26

    interested in getting started says

    February 21, 2015 at 10:46 am

    I want to get the directions so I can try this pattern out!
    Looks fun but very practicial and useful!

  21. 27

    Anne K says

    April 16, 2015 at 11:20 pm

    Thank you. It looks like a good idea.

    • 28

      Kathy Beymer says

      April 19, 2015 at 8:32 pm

      Thanks, Anne! Glad you like it, let me know if you make it!

  22. 29

    Mary Sinco says

    August 17, 2016 at 8:17 am

    This I can make and always have pot holders when I need them! Thanks for the tutorial!

    • 30

      Kathy Beymer says

      August 25, 2016 at 9:22 am

      You’re welcome, Mary! I’d love to see your apron when you finish it up!

  23. 31

    Kristina Alexander says

    January 24, 2017 at 7:36 pm

    I was linked to your Apron with Built-in Potholders tutorial through Craftsy Blog. But for some reason the pictures aren’t loading into my browser. I tried both Google Chrome and Internet Explorer. Is there a PDF I could get? I really like this idea and it would make awesome gifts for my family of cooks. Thank you!!

    • 32

      Kathy says

      February 3, 2017 at 9:29 am

      Hi Kristina! Thanks so much for finding that bug! I have fixed all of the images so take a look and let me know if you can see them now too. Happy sewing!!

Kathy Beymer from Merriment Design
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