Try This: Button-Down Apron Made from Recycled Shirts

By Susan Wasinger
Published on April 12, 2011
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"Sewn By Hand" celebrates the gentle comforts of creating beautiful pieces the old-fashioned way with more than 20 sewing projects ranging from fashionable pillows and aprons to practical totes and pincushions. This contemporary collection allows stitchers to be eco-friendly and mobile, as they carry their projects along with them just as knitters do.
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For the apron bib
For the apron bib
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Attach the hemmed end of the neck strap to the top right corner of the apron bib (about an inch down from the top) with a double row of stitching across the top edge of the bib, catching the strap.
Attach the hemmed end of the neck strap to the top right corner of the apron bib (about an inch down from the top) with a double row of stitching across the top edge of the bib, catching the strap.
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For the apron skirt
For the apron skirt
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Position the pocket back of shirt two (for the apron skirt) on the wrong side of the shirt front with its top edge running along the button placket of the shirt.
Position the pocket back of shirt two (for the apron skirt) on the wrong side of the shirt front with its top edge running along the button placket of the shirt.
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 One large pocket is a little unwieldy for holding tools, so break up the expanse horizontally by buttoning every other button, then sewing a line of stitching down from each closed button to the bottom of the pocket.
One large pocket is a little unwieldy for holding tools, so break up the expanse horizontally by buttoning every other button, then sewing a line of stitching down from each closed button to the bottom of the pocket.
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From the back or sleeves of shirt 1, cut lengths of fabric about 2½ inches wide to make the waistband/ties. Seam these pieces together to make an overall length of at least 60 inches. Fold the ends back ½ inch, then fold the long edges in ½ inch, then fold in half lengthwise to make the waistband about ¾ inches wide. Press to crease.
From the back or sleeves of shirt 1, cut lengths of fabric about 2½ inches wide to make the waistband/ties. Seam these pieces together to make an overall length of at least 60 inches. Fold the ends back ½ inch, then fold the long edges in ½ inch, then fold in half lengthwise to make the waistband about ¾ inches wide. Press to crease.
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Center the waistband over the top edge of the apron skirt and the bib.
Center the waistband over the top edge of the apron skirt and the bib.
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Once the waistband/ties are attached, flip the apron bib up and sew a second row of stitching along the top edge of the waistband to hold the bib upright and finish the assembly of the apron.
Once the waistband/ties are attached, flip the apron bib up and sew a second row of stitching along the top edge of the waistband to hold the bib upright and finish the assembly of the apron.
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The following is an excerpt from Sewn By Hand by Susan Wasinger (Lark Crafts, 2011). 

A little creative cutting and stitching allows you to “borrow” seams and buttonholes from a pair of recycled men’s shirts to make a fetching and functional apron that gets down to business in the kitchen.

Materials 

2 large or extra-large men’s long-sleeved, button-down shirts
heavy-duty white thread

Fabrics 

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