3-Minute Skill - Square Apron

Video HERE

This is an ideal project for the beginner on the sewing machine. No curves, right-angle corners and simple stitching... Things have been rather hectic recently, so I forgot to film the second half of the build in the shed... apologies.

You will need:
2 squares of fabric approx 3 foot/90cm a side*
Thin wadding or lining (optional)
Matching threads
3m Ribbon, approx
Plastic rings (optional)
Safety Pins
Needle
Scissors

Method

1. Wash and iron your fabric - you need to make sure it won't shrink unevenly and get rid of any finishing agent used by the manufacturer. If it's repurposed scrap or quilt, then a good wash and press now will make the following stages much easier.
2. Place the fabric good-sides together on top of the lining (if using) - you can press again if you like to settle things together - then measure and mark out your square.**
3. If you are planning on a diamond shape place two loops of ribbon on diagonal corners between the fabric sheets***
4. Sew the layers together, leaving an opening of 7-10cm (3-4") on an edge (not the corner), with a straight stitch of about 3mm (depending on the fabric).
5. Trim to about 1cm (1/2") and clip the corners, then turn right-side out and press well.
6. Top-stitch around the edge with a contrasting thread, being careful to close up the opening. ****
7. Diamond shape - Attach 2 ribbon loops on diagonal corners (if you haven't already), then fold forward the top corner and pin with safety pins for now. Slip the ribbon through the corner and cross the ends around your back, then through the loops. Adjust the fold to sit neatly across your chest, then stitch in place over the top of the top-stitching- fixing the ribbon if you like, otherwise put a couple of stitches through the middle of the fold instead
8. Square shape - Center one edge across your chest and pin a loop of ribbon (about 45cm/18") into place so that it sits flat. Align two small plastic rings with your waist and sew on loops of ribbon to hold them. Put a long strip of ribbon through the neck-loop and measure down about 30cm/1', then tie an overhand knot. You can sew down the corners on this one, but they don't get in the way for me so it's not a problem.*****

*Ideally the same kind, one patterned and one contrasting. If you want to you can make up a quilted panel for the front and back, or just one side and contrast on the inside.
**Anywhere between 85cm-1m(3'-3'6") is plenty for an adult, somewhere around 50-60cm (1'6"-2') for an 8-9 year old... and finesse things in between for teens.
***You could add these later, once you decide which way round suits your body shape, but this way reduces hand-sewing later.
****If you want to you can add quilting now to help bind the layers together and add more decorative effect, but I find that added stitching on top of this kind of pattern is a bit too much.
*****You could of course use plastic rings and this separate neck loop for the diamond shape if you prefer.