DIY Tea Towel Apron Tutorial • Heather Handmade

This is a fabulous and easy gift idea for neighbors, teachers, friends, and family. Use a tea towel to make a quick and simple DIY tea towel apron!

I’m not much of a baker, but I appreciate the cover of a apron. I’m a messy cook, and I’m even more messy when I let my children help me. I’m getting so excited about the holidays and all the handmade gifts like this easy tea towel apron!

I came up with a really easy DIY tea towel apron that would be the perfect gift idea for anyone who spends time in the kitchen. It would be a great hostess gift, a neighbor gift, or a teacher gift. It fits any size of adult and any gender, and this apron is easier than any easy apron pattern you can find.

When choosing a tea towel or hand towel to work with make sure that you are using a non-directional print or pattern. The towel will be used horizontally, so if the print is vertical it won’t work.

Also, if the towel has a word or phrase on it you won’t be able to use it because it’ll be sideways. You can use a medium weight towel to a lightweight towel.

Easy DIY Tea Towel Apron Tutorial // heatherhandmade.com

I prefer a thicker waistband, and so I chose a thicker ribbon. Alternatively, you can choose a thinner ribbon for a smaller waistband. I recommend a thicker and stronger 1.5 to 2 inch ribbon like a grosgrain ribbon. You need a ribbon that can hold up to work and to washing.

I chose a terry cloth towel to make myself this half apron because I am constantly using my apron like a towel. When I’m wearing an apron I don’t use aprons to protect my clothing as much as I use aprons as a hand towel.

I also love using my apron to carry any fresh produce I have from the garden. I always forget a bucket or basket to carry the vegetables. This is such a great beginner sewing project!

Besides being really easy to sew, these aprons would be really easy to personalize. You could add a pretty trim, some iron-on vinyl, or even some hand embroidery. You could add pompoms cor a cute look or tassels for a bohemian look. I love reusing items like towels.

Want some more fun sewing projects? Check these out!

DIY Tea Towel Apron

Supplies

Tea towel or hand towel – here’s a striped two pack* and a beautiful print*
Two or more yards of two inch ribbon – two inch grosgrain ribbon* and one and a half inch grosgrain ribbon*
Sewing tools

1. Find the center front of the LONG side of the towel. Add two to four pleats starting at the center and moving out. The pleats I created were 1.5″ deep. The amount of pleats will change depending on the length of the towel and the person you are making it for.

If the tag is on the side make sure the pleats are on the side with the tag to hide it.

This towel is small so I only added two pleats at the center front.

This towel had the tag on the short side instead of the long side so I couldn’t hide it in the pleats.

2. Cut your ribbon to the length of 2 yards or longer. The length will depend on the person your making it for.

3. Fold the short edges over 1/4 inch twice and sew it. Make sure that they ends are folded toward each other on the same side.

4. Line up the center front of the ribbon and the center front of the pleated side of the towel. Pin or clip along the whole edge with right sides together.

5. Sew the ribbon to the towel with a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Backstitch at the start and at the end to lock the stitches.

6. Press the seam allowance down towards the towel. Topstitch the seam allowance down towards the towel. Backstitch at the start and at the end to lock the stitches.

7. The seam allowance will be really bulky when topstitching so sew slowly and be careful.

8. Even if you only have two pleats instead of four pleats the area around the pleats will be bulky.

If you make something using this DIY Tea Towel Apron tutorial, I’d love to see! Please share it on social media with the hashtag #heatherhandmade and tag me!