Etsy's Handmade Blog
How-Tuesday: Tool Apron from Sew What! Bags
Story by mtraub
Published on July 28, 2009 in How-To 		Photo by

Kevin Kennefick

The only toolbox I've ever known is my overflowing crate of crafting materials. Having my tools organized and easily accessible sounds too good to be true. Every quilter, crocheter, and gardener deserves a handmade tool belt perfectly suited for her needs.

For this week's How-Tuesday, we're sharing Lexie Barnes' Tool Apron project to equip you for a summer of crafting and gardening. Lexie's book, Sew What! Bags, is full of delightful totes, sacks, satchels, and purses that are pattern-free, so you can alter and tweak to your heart's content.

 

Lexie's Design Principle:

Sewing without a pattern may seem like a scary prospect to some... and liberating to others. Personally, I like the freedom and flexibility of pattern-free sewing. I want a bag to work for me, not the other way around.

I can't stand to read instructional manuals, stick strictly to a recipe, or follow the steps exactly as they are written anywhere. If there are too many steps, I'll skip them. If the instructions are too wordy or full of jargon, I'll ignore them and find my own way of doing things. In this book, from the first project to the last, you'll be able to jump right in and start sewing. You'll find simple steps and streamlined projects — fabulous bags you can make on your own to suit your taste, skill level, and style.

Click here to buy the book!

We made this apron to hold quilting supplies, but you can customize yours for any craft, hobby, or project. Be sure to choose your fabrics and pockets to suit the job. For gardening tools, you'll want canvas or maybe oilcloth. For crochet supplies, you'll want a variety of pocket sizes for slim hooks and skeins of yarn.

Our finished size: 8" x 16" with a 66" belt

 

Measure and Cut

1. Decide your size. For a good fit, base the size on your favorite kitchen apron, or measure your torso from hip to hip and add a couple of inches for seam allowance. For the height, measure from your waist (or hip, if you like to wear it low) down to anywhere you like. It's your tool apron, so make it as long — or short — as you need it to be.

Ease into it. Figure out how big your pockets need to be before you finalize the size of the apron. Lay your tools out on your fabric and measure them. Be sure to allow for some ease (a little bit of extra room to get your objects in and out of the pockets). Keep your tools handy while you're sewing and test along the way to make sure you've got a good fit.

2. Cut your fabric. Based on your measurements, cut:

  • primary fabric: one front and one back piece
  • contrasting fabric: one pocket panel and two belt pieces (We cut ours 4" wide for a finished width of 1 1/2". For the total length of the belt, we measured around the waist, and then added 16" for tying the ends.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Put it Together

3. Make the pocket. Press under the top edge of pocket panel 1/4", then repeat for another 1/2". Edgestitch along the bottom fold. With right sides facing up, pin the pocket panel to front apron panel. Based on your measurements, stitch dividers for your pockets, backtacking at the top of the pocket panel. There's no need to stitch the sides or bottom, as that will happen in the next step.

 

 

4. Assemble the apron. Lay the back apron piece on top of the front piece, right sides together. Stitch the sides and bottom, leaving the top of the apron open. Clip the corners, trim the seam allowance, turn the apron right side out, and press. Fold under the top edge 1/2" to the inside, press, and topstitch.

 

 

 

5. Make and attach the belt. With right sides facing, stitch the two belt pieces together to make one long strip. Press under the edges 1/2" on all sides, fold it in half lengthwise, and topstitch.* Center the belt on top of the apron, aligning the top edges of the belt and apron. Pin the belt in place and topstitch it to the apron along the length (following the stitching on both sides of the belt), backtacking at the ends.

 

 

*More Details for Making Straps:

1. Fold the strip of fabric in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, and press along the fold. Open up the strip, press each side under 1/2".

2. Refold the strip with the sides tucked in, and edgestitch along the length of both sides for greater strength.

For Larger Straps and Belts:
For a wider strap that will be used as a belt, the method is the same, but turn under the ends 1/2" before refolding. If the fabric is bulky, trim away excess fabric at the folded corners, then stitch across the folded ends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once you try out this Tool Apron, be sure to post photos of it in the Sew What! Bags Flickr pool! Your images could be featured on Lexie's website. 

Thanks to Lexie Barnes and the good folks at Storey Publishing for sharing this useful project with us! Looking for more How-Tuesday posts? Check out our archive here.

 

Tags books, craft, customizable, gardening, How-To, HOW-TO, How-Tuesday, instructions, Lexie Barnes, organization, patterns, project, sewing, Sew What! Bags, Supplies, tool apron, tool belt, tutorials, utility apron, vendor apron
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100 comments     Login to add your own!

July 28, 2009 at 4:23 p.m. workingforpeanuts

Nice, fast project. Thanks! And good picks, too.

July 28, 2009 at 4:26 p.m. IreneDesign

Very nice! Thanks for posting this.

July 28, 2009 at 4:27 p.m. fabric4you

I like it! Thanks for sharing.

July 28, 2009 at 4:31 p.m. CityChicCountryMouse

Awesome apron! I like that it's called a TOOL apron :)

July 28, 2009 at 4:31 p.m. shoshanna2003

you are such an inspiration for my future collections of accessories and apparel, thanks and keep up the good work and the creativity:)

July 28, 2009 at 4:33 p.m. shopgoodgrace

fabulous!! Thanks for sharing this project. :)

July 28, 2009 at 4:36 p.m. girltuesdayjewelry

So cute and I love the green tree fabric!

July 28, 2009 at 4:36 p.m. moonscreations

This makes me wish I stood up while crocheting just so I could wear one. Fantastic article!

July 28, 2009 at 4:39 p.m. nightowlcraftworks

Love this!!! Going to work on it as soon as I set up my new studio! This is a good journal to jot down patterns in: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...

July 28, 2009 at 4:41 p.m. AzitasSurprises

great apron! love the green fabric.

July 28, 2009 at 4:41 p.m. breadandroses

Great feature & project! When the job calls for a little more coverage, I love wearing one of my eco friendly aprons. Each one of a kind & cuter than the dickens!

July 28, 2009 at 4:43 p.m. onepixel

Super cute! Thanks for sharing!

July 28, 2009 at 4:44 p.m. PipocaHandmade

Perfect project. Thanks for sharing!

July 28, 2009 at 4:45 p.m. odiliafu

Cute and functional! Thanks for the tutorial!!

July 28, 2009 at 4:46 p.m. poppyswickedgarden

what a fun little project! I think I'll get my son to make some;)

July 28, 2009 at 4:47 p.m. thebestvintage

Great little project!

July 28, 2009 at 4:52 p.m. baconsquarefarm

Hmmmm, maybe I'll learn to sew yet, thanks for sharing this project, great color combo too plus nice shop as well.

July 28, 2009 at 4:56 p.m. VintageEye

if only i had learned to sew!

July 28, 2009 at 5 p.m. aprilmist

great project and tutorial. You make it look so easy!!

July 28, 2009 at 5:08 p.m. aggieray

Love the vintage apron too!

July 28, 2009 at 5:12 p.m. TexasBeauties

I like it! Maybe I'll make one to hold my makeup and brushes.

July 28, 2009 at 5:14 p.m. BetaAccessories

These how-tos are so good, thanks for it. Great idea for crafty afternoon with friends :)

July 28, 2009 at 5:18 p.m. ickleson

This is a fab how to, good excuse to get my sewing machine out.

July 28, 2009 at 5:18 p.m. BabbidgePatch

fun project!

July 28, 2009 at 5:23 p.m. LittleWhiteDresser

i love it!!! i'll go try make one :)

July 28, 2009 at 5:31 p.m. tizzalicious

Nice tutorial! I am doing my first craft show soon, so this will come in handy!

July 28, 2009 at 5:39 p.m. VixVintage

Very nice, thanks for sharing.

July 28, 2009 at 5:40 p.m. bijougirldesigns

Thanks for sharing your tutorial! That apron would be sooo perfect to wear during craft shows to keep track of receipts and bags and money, etc...

July 28, 2009 at 5:42 p.m. ModishVintage

I may try to make a couple for my little ones, thanks for this article.

July 28, 2009 at 5:45 p.m. nomadcraftsetc

This is PERFECT! Thanks so much!

July 28, 2009 at 6 p.m. heartcity

What a great idea! Thanks so much for sharing this.

July 28, 2009 at 6:10 p.m. EarthenTreasures

I'll definitely make
one...hmmm, I wonder if I can wear it instead of a purse...

July 28, 2009 at 6:19 p.m. sleepyking

I have this book! Its great. A Must have!

July 28, 2009 at 6:23 p.m. LabyrinthLeather

This looks so neat - can't wait to try it out!

July 28, 2009 at 6:25 p.m. RockPaperSilver

This looks so simple yet the end result would leave me feeling so tough (and organized)...very cool!

July 28, 2009 at 6:27 p.m. GimCarry

Thank you so much (* v *)
Very very great article.

July 28, 2009 at 6:52 p.m. designfabulous

so cute!! great article

July 28, 2009 at 6:53 p.m. StudioCherie

looks like a cute book. Great picks too!

July 28, 2009 at 6:55 p.m. LisaFerinDesigns

So glad the difficulty of this apron is "newbie"--must try! Wonderful picks, too.

July 28, 2009 at 7:06 p.m. madebysam

Love it! thanks for sharing :)

July 28, 2009 at 7:08 p.m. FlanneryCrane

This is exactly what I need in order to keep up with my scissors. It's a sad but humorous state I find myself in often...Thanks for the idea/pattern!

July 28, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. mykonos

Great article, just love it!!

July 28, 2009 at 7:40 p.m. kidacollective

Your book looks great. I so need one of these aprons (how can I have 10 tape measures and still not be able to lay my hands on one?!).

July 28, 2009 at 7:42 p.m. LoveForEarth

I'll have to check this book out! Great picks too

July 28, 2009 at 8:03 p.m. JoannasPhotography

this is really neat project!
maybe i should look more into sewing :)

July 28, 2009 at 8:19 p.m. bylynnkrestel

i love this project!
very simple to follow!! thank you!

July 28, 2009 at 8:23 p.m. fernfiddlehead

super cool, dude!

July 28, 2009 at 8:28 p.m. ChloesRuffleButt

Excellent! I don't like to use patterns either! Thanks for sharing this.

July 28, 2009 at 8:29 p.m. ClaudiaLord

This would work well as a craft show apron too!

July 28, 2009 at 8:49 p.m. klacustomcreations

very cool, I can't sew so I just buy those goodies from Etsy friends!

July 28, 2009 at 9:16 p.m. vivikas

loving this!

July 28, 2009 at 10:06 p.m. merryberry

I'll be making myself a tool belt! ^_^

July 28, 2009 at 10:18 p.m. smilingbluedog

Perfect timing!
Thanks so much for sharing this project.
I've been wanting to make myself an apron and put
my retired sewing machine back to work, no excuses now:)

July 28, 2009 at 10:56 p.m. TreeHuggerStudio

cute!cute!

July 28, 2009 at 11 p.m. christinececelia

love it! thanks!

July 28, 2009 at 11:15 p.m. Jularee

Nice idea! I could use a tool apron. Thanks.

July 29, 2009 at 12:18 a.m. Mymothersgarden

Lexie~
This is great! Thanks for sharing your tool apron pattern with us!
~Karrita

July 29, 2009 at 12:34 a.m. TheBeesWrists

Lovely!

July 29, 2009 at 12:51 a.m. riorita


I loved this "How To" article. The idea is very useful - especially for a person like me who keeps looking for things - "where did I leave this? and where did I put that"!! I bet I am not the only one! (lol)

July 29, 2009 at 12:56 a.m. riorita

I think that "Ladies Pocketed toolbelt by bluemoonkatherine" could be just right for me!

July 29, 2009 at 1:04 a.m. OwlandMouse

aprons with pockets are so great! maybe i should make my own...

July 29, 2009 at 1:07 a.m. VintageJamie

Useful! Thank you~

July 29, 2009 at 1:16 a.m. phersudancing

this could even be incorporated into a handy skirt or shirt, so you can have your 'crafting clothes' - I'd love a wrap-around skirt like this for when I paint, it would be great! And long enough to protect whatever else I'm wearing!

July 29, 2009 at 2:06 a.m. spacejam

so cute!!

July 29, 2009 at 2:30 a.m. OpusMuse

Oh I absolutely love this article & I found it at the right time cos I just inherited a 2nd-hand sewing machine from my mom. Can't wait to try out the tool apron project. :)
Thanks for sharing Lexie!

July 29, 2009 at 3:53 a.m. Tina669

Great little project!

July 29, 2009 at 4:16 a.m. MinceCo

whats with the spam in etsy comments lately? As a genuine Etsy seller...looking for first sale...check my store for something original you might reaaaalllly like! ;)'

July 29, 2009 at 4:58 a.m. evihan

woww what a helpful article...tips...
thank you ETSY ...as always...

July 29, 2009 at 6:05 a.m. sandali

AWESOME -- it will most definitely come in handy ;)

July 29, 2009 at 6:58 a.m. danielabesso

very cool! now I want o make my own apron in cashmere?!!

July 29, 2009 at 7:20 a.m. BayMoonDesign

I have to say that staying organized when involved in crafting is a challenge for me. Any tips are appreciated. Thank you for including the pattern!

July 29, 2009 at 7:33 a.m. raisinlike

What a cool project!

July 29, 2009 at 9:52 a.m. clothpaperstitches

Thank you for the good instructions...I will try this. Love the book.

July 29, 2009 at 10 a.m. RegalCottage

Love this project! Thanks so much!

July 29, 2009 at 10:44 a.m. thehotcookie

Sweet tool apron, and I'm totally in love with the pincushion ring!

July 29, 2009 at 11:33 a.m. Radness

Yay crafts!

July 29, 2009 at 11:34 a.m. ItsBella

what great fabric!

July 29, 2009 at 11:35 a.m. Aquanetta

So many wonderful picks :)

July 29, 2009 at 12:11 p.m. paramountvintage

what a great tutorial! every crafter needs a good apron!

July 29, 2009 at 1:15 p.m. LittleBitShabby

I love this!! I am off to make one of my very own!! Thanks!!

July 29, 2009 at 1:53 p.m. MetroGypsy

Great tutorial!

July 29, 2009 at 1:56 p.m. babook

So good this book !! It easy to knew it : )

July 29, 2009 at 3:22 p.m. alexkeller

how great! i did a post not too long ago about aprons and her book is on my wish list

July 29, 2009 at 4:59 p.m. JewelsOnAWhim

I've thought about how to make something like this so much...I'm constantly putting a tool or pen some place(I'm not as neat as I could be) and waste time looking for it! Great design/thanks for sharing!

July 29, 2009 at 5:35 p.m. PawPawsWorkshop

Great article

July 29, 2009 at 8:27 p.m. jodieflowers

Awesome apron!

July 29, 2009 at 8:32 p.m. corrnucopia

Love it!

July 29, 2009 at 9:13 p.m. LizsDivineCreations

Cool apron! Love all the info!

July 29, 2009 at 11:32 p.m. mademoisellemermaid

Great, fun project idea that everyone will find useful! Can't wait to make one:)

July 29, 2009 at 11:43 p.m. junkyjunk

These sure would make great gifts! Not something that everybody already has!

July 29, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. LJBabyDesigns

That apron is awesome, that is exactly what I need when I'm sewing. I'm misplacing my things under fabrics!

July 30, 2009 at 12:34 a.m. RockettQueen

I love the tool apron I need to make one for myself

July 30, 2009 at 10:55 a.m. jewelrybyjackie

OOOOHHHHH! This is so great! I am going to make one of my very own. Thanks so much!

July 30, 2009 at 11:22 a.m. SimpleTraditions

thanks so much for sharing this pattern. It's exactly what I need for craft fairs. Your the best!

July 30, 2009 at 3:33 p.m. tldgrainwear

Great idea...thanks for sharing it!

July 31, 2009 at 12:56 p.m. kirstenfrancis

Yessssss! Exactly what I need. Thank you (will probably make some for my kids so they don't lose their tools either).

July 31, 2009 at 2:41 p.m. AWEshop

Fantastic idea for those who do art & craft fairs to keep your money for easy access and away from thieving hands! -keep track of your pen and calculator too!!!

Aug. 28, 2009 at 3:43 p.m. Yayahandicraft

This is amazing I love the ribbon wood holder.
Thanks for the articule

Sept. 24, 2009 at 9:47 p.m. lealerjcreates

Thanks for sharing. great idea.

Sept. 28, 2009 at 9:06 p.m. 2TrickPony

it could be cool too, to make one to tie around the stump that holds my anvil, to hold hammers. If I don't sew my fingers together:)

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