“Half” or “waist” aprons are traditionally used in the hospitality industry and kitchen. They often include patch pockets to keep tools handy. Half aprons are also used in the garden as their short style allows for easy movement.
I’ve rounded up the best half apron patterns and tutorials. Most are free!
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Skip to a section below:
- Classic half aprons
- Half aprons with many pockets
- Half aprons with ruffles
- Vintage half aprons with ruffles
Classic half apron patterns & tutorials:
Half apron with split pocket & large bow
This pattern is available from TOTOshopUA via Etsy
- Sizes: 15” tall x 35” wide / 38 x 89cm.
- Design: Easy to sew, simple style half apron. Short length. Split patch pockets on the front. Waistband with large bow tie. Option to color block the apron pocket for decoration.
- Fabric needed: Medium to heavy weight woven fabric to give the apron some strength and structure. For example, cotton twill, denim, corduroy, soft furnishing fabrics, or linen.
- Format: Print-at-home digital download. A4 and US letter sizes.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes, I think this would be a great pattern for a beginner to sew. The style of the apron and the patch pocket are very simple and a stable fabric can be used to make pressing and sewing easier.
Half apron with front patch pocket (+ video)
This tutorial is available from Farmhouse on Boone – FREE
- Sizes: Finished measurements are not given, but the main apron pattern piece is 28” tall x 20” wide / 71 x 50cm.
- Design: Short length. Large patch pocket on front. Waistband with long ties. Option to color block the apron pocket for decoration.
- Fabric needed: Light to medium weight woven fabric. For example, cotton, cotton twill, denim, corduroy, soft furnishing fabrics, or linen. You could even use a tea towel or tablecloth fabric.
- Format: Blog tutorial with cutting measurements.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. This is a simple style with clear photo instructions included. There’s also an instructional video included within the blog post.
Half apron with long side pockets
This pattern is available from Fair and Simple – $7
- Sizes: Size A: 21.5“ long x 34.5” wide / 55 x 88cm. Size B: 21.5“ long x 46.5” wide / 55 x 118cm.
- Design: Bistro-style apron with interesting pockets. Paneled seams. 2 inseam pockets on the sides. Waistband and thin tie straps.
- Fabric needed: Medium weight woven fabric with good drape and structure is recommended. For example, cotton, cotton twill, or linen.
- Format: PDF digital pattern with instructions. US letter, A4, and A0 copy shop sizes.
- Suitable for beginners? I think this pattern would suit an adventurous beginner due to the interesting inseam pockets.
Half apron with no waistband (+ video)
This tutorial is available from Curbly – FREE
- Sizes: Finished measurements are not given, but the main pattern piece is 36” tall x 28” wide / 91 x 71cm.
- Design: Simple rectangular apron. Lined. Front patch pocket with 3 slots for spoons and utensils. Side ties that fasten at the back. No waistband.
- Fabric needed: Medium weight woven fabric. For example, cotton, cotton twill, denim, corduroy, soft furnishing fabrics, or linen. Fabric scraps are great for this project.
- Format: Blog tutorial with cutting measurements.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. The apron style is a simple shape. It’s lined which is an easy way for a beginner to finish the raw edges. The instructions are clear and there’s a helpful YouTube tutorial here.
Short half apron with a large front pocket
This tutorial is available from Hill Top Farmhouse – FREE
- Sizes: Finished measurements aren’t given, but the main pattern piece is 20“ tall x 27” wide / 51 x 69cm.
- Design: Simple rectangular apron. 1 large front patch pocket. Side ties which tie around the back and fasten into a large bow.
- Fabric needed: Light to medium weight woven fabric. For example, cotton, cotton twill, denim, soft furnishing fabrics, or linen. Fabric scraps or old homewear such as teatowels or tablecloths are great for this project.
- Format: Blog tutorial with cutting measurements.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes, it’s a simple shape. The instructions are clear but not every step is photographed, so I’m hesitant to recommend this to a first-time sewist. I think a complete beginner needs to see every step.
Easy half apron (+ video)
This tutorial is available from Boxwood Avenue – FREE
- Sizes: Finished measurements aren’t given, but the main pattern piece is 20” tall x 35” wide / 51cm x 89cm.
- Design: Rectangle apron. Above-knee length. Wide waistband with integrated ties. Optional embroidered monogram. Neat finish.
- Fabric needed: Light to medium weight woven fabric. For example, cotton, cotton twill, denim, chambray, soft furnishing fabrics, or linen.
- Format: Blog tutorial with cutting measurements. There’s also a YouTube tutorial within the blog.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. The apron is a simple rectangular shape. The written instructions don’t include photographs but since there’s a YouTube video I think a beginner would do very well with this pattern.
Curved hem apron for mom & child (+ video)
This pattern is available from Frocks and Frolics – FREE
- Sizes: Unknown. The product page says “one size” and “mommy and me”. The actual pattern shows 3 sizes (small, medium, and large).
- Design: Country style half apron. Adult and child sizes included. Curved hem. Bias bound edges. Lined. Wide waistband. Long bow tie. 2 side pockets. Option to color block or add trimming.
- Fabric needed: Light to medium weight woven fabric. For example, cotton, cotton twill, denim, chambray, soft furnishing fabrics, or linen.
- Format: PDF digital download (US letter and A4 sizes) and video tutorial. Free registration is required.
- Suitable for beginners? I think it suits intermediate and adventurous beginners. A complete beginner may find the pockets and bias binding a challenge.
Half aprons with many pockets:
Shop apron with lots of pockets
This tutorial is available from Purl Soho – FREE
- Sizes: 4 sizes. These range from a width of 35” – 44” (89 – 112cm) and a height of 19” – 20.5” (48 – 52cm).
- Design: Rectangle shaped apron. Double lined. Large patch pocket divided into lots of different pockets. Vinyl coated inner pockets. Large belt which ties at the front.
- Fabric needed: Medium weight woven fabric. If you’re going to hold many things in the pockets, you’ll want a fabric with some structure and strength to handle the weight. For example, cotton, cotton twill, denim, chambray, soft furnishing fabrics, or linen.
- Format: Blog tutorial with cutting measurements.
- Suitable for beginners? Yes. The design mainly involves sewing rectangles so it’s perfect for practicing straight seams. The instructions are clear with lots of photos included.
Gardening apron with 7 pockets
This pattern is available from The House That Lars Built – $8.50
- Sizes: One size.
- Design: Rectangle shaped half apron. Waistband and waist tie. Ties at the side. Double layer patch pocket that’s divided into 7 pockets for all of your gardening tools. Option to color block with different fabrics for the pockets and waistband.
- Fabric needed: Light to medium weight woven fabric. For example, cotton, cotton twill, denim, chambray, soft furnishing fabrics, or linen. You may want a thicker fabric (like cotton canvas) for carrying heavier tools.
- Format: PDF digital download which includes instructions.
- Suitable for beginners? I think this would suit an adventurous beginner. The design is fairly simple but the double layered pockets could prove a challenge.
Utility apron with 6 pockets (1 zipper)
This pattern is available from SandraVeeCosplay via Etsy
- Sizes: Waistband fits from 25” – 50” waist (63.5 – 127cm).
- Design: Utility style half apron. Double layered patch pocket. One large zipper pocket. Two slit pockets. Tab for attaching keyring. Bias bound edges. Curved hem. Long waistband with D-ring.
- Fabric needed: Light to medium weight woven fabric. For example, cotton, cotton twill, denim, chambray, soft furnishing fabrics, or linen.
- Format: PDF digital download (A4 size) which includes fully illustrated instructions.
- Suitable for beginners? I think this would be a good one for advanced beginners to try. Some sewing skills would be an advantage since a zipper pocket needs to be inserted. Attaching the bias binding could also prove quite fiddly for a complete beginner.
Half aprons with ruffles & gathers:
Long gathered apron (+ video)
This tutorial is available from Melanie Kham – FREE
- Sizes: Finished measurements aren’t given, but the main pattern piece is 35” x 25” (89 – 63.5cm).
- Design: Skirt style half apron. Wide waistband. Gathered body. Wide bow. Patch pocket. Knee-length.
- Fabric needed: Light to medium weight woven fabrics suit gathers. For example, cotton, cotton twill, denim, chambray, soft furnishing fabrics or linen.
- Format: Blog tutorial with cutting measurements. There’s also a video tutorial.
- Suitable for beginners? I think it suits adventurous beginners. The skirt is quite simple but the gathering could prove tricky for a complete beginner.
Kids and adults set of aprons
This pattern is available from Simplicity – $13.97
- Sizes: 4 sizes for kids (S-XL) and 4 sizes for adults (S-XL). Measurements range from 23” – 44” (58.5 – 112 cm). We assume this is the waist or hip measurement.
- Design: 4 apron styles. The half apron has a large patch pocket that’s divided into 2, a gathered waist, wide waistband, curved hem, and optional lace trim.
- Fabric needed: Light to medium weight woven fabrics suit gathers. For example, cotton, cotton twill, chambray, gingham, or broadcloth.
- Format: Printed pattern with instructions included.
- Suitable for beginners? I think it suits advanced beginners. There are a few elements which could prove tricky for a complete beginner like the gathering and trim detail.
Short half apron with gathers & large patch pockets
This tutorial is available from A Beautiful Mess – FREE
- Sizes: Finished measurements aren’t given but the main pattern piece is 16” x 36” (40.5 x 91.5 cm).
- Design: Gathered skirt waist. Wide waistband that ties at the back. 2 large patch pockets. Short length. Option to color block or use contrasting fabric for the pockets and waistband.
- Fabric needed: Light to medium weight woven fabrics suit gathers. For example, cotton, cotton twill, chambray, gingham or broadcloth. Scraps of fabric would work well.
- Format: Blog tutorial with cutting measurements.
- Suitable for beginners? I think it suits advanced beginners. The gathering would be the most difficult part of this project but the instructions are clear with photos throughout.
Half apron with wide waistband & gathers
This tutorial is available from Delia Creates – FREE
- Sizes: Approximately ready-to-wear US sizes 2 – 6.
- Design: Gathered skirt. Wide waistband. Large bow ties. Above-knee length.
- Fabric needed: Light to medium weight woven fabrics suit gathers. For example, cotton, gingham, cotton twill or chambray.
- Format: Blog tutorial with cutting measurements.
- Suitable for beginners? I think it suits advanced beginners. A complete beginner may struggle with gathering. The step-by-step photo instructions are helpful though.
Vintage half aprons with ruffles & gathers:
Retro style double layer half apron
This tutorial is available from Joann – FREE
- Sizes: Finished measurements aren’t given but the main pattern piece is 22” x 44” (56 x 112 cm).
- Design: Retro style. Gathered waist. 2 layers of contrasting fabric for the skirt. Wide waistband. Large bow tie.
- Fabric needed: Light to medium weight woven fabrics suit gathers. For example, cotton, gingham, cotton twill or chambray. Eyelet cotton fabric is used for the top layer of this apron.
- Format: Blog tutorial with cutting measurements.
- Suitable for beginners? The pattern designer suggests this for an intermediate level sewist. I think an advanced beginner with some sewing knowledge could have a go. Gathering the fabric would be the most difficult part so some experience with this would be helpful. There are also no photos or videos showing the sewing process – just written instructions.
Vintage style half apron with ruffle detail
This pattern is available from Simplicity – $16.07
- Sizes: Waist: 25 – 34” (63.5 – 86 cm).
- Design: 4 vintage style aprons that resemble 1940s aprons. The half apron has a gathered skirt, curved hem, ruffle trim around the edges and hem, a wide waistband, and rounded patch pockets with a ruffle detail.
- Fabric needed: Light to medium weight woven fabrics suit gathering. For example, cotton, gingham, cotton twill, linen or chambray.
- Format: Printed pattern with instructions included.
- Suitable for beginners? No. I think this pattern would suit an intermediate sewist with some sewing experience already. The ruffles could prove difficult to sew and attach, and adding the ruffles to the small patch pockets could also be tricky. The sewing rating on this pattern is “average”.
Vintage style half apron with ruffle detail
This pattern is available from Simplicity – $13.97
- Sizes: Waist: 22 – 41” / 56 – 104 cm
- Design: A set of 3 vintage aprons from 1948. 2 of them are half aprons. They have a full gathered skirt; oversized, bias bound rounded pockets; and a trim detail at the bottom of the skirt. The waistband ties at the back into a big bow.
- Fabric needed: Light to medium weight woven fabrics suit gathering. For example, cotton, gingham, cotton twill, linen or chambray. Floral fabrics would work well for the pockets and trimming in this design.
- Format: Printed pattern with instructions included.
- Suitable for beginners? No. I think this pattern would better suit an intermediate sewist. The skirt is very full with a lot of fabric to manipulate, and there are some tricky details involved such as bias binding the pockets and adding the trim.
What to read next:
This article was written by Sally Gauntlett and edited by Sara Maker.
Sally Gauntlett (author)
Sally started sewing as a child. In 2008, she started a handmade business selling personalized gifts and homeware. She then became a sewing content creator, sharing her makes on Youtube and Instagram. Read more…