Grey Flannel Cover Up

All this sewing has been a learning experience for me.

This is a beautiful soft flannel garment.  It was a Wosley XL short sleeved men`s shirt.

The result of a solid color and short sleeve is a toned down look and no ties.  The sleeves went into the pockets.

I chose black bias tape.

I was out to quilting group today and I brought my earlier apron to show the leader of the group.  She tried it on.

I have a challenge of needing  someone try them on and see how it fits and adjusts.

Someone there who has worked with seniors suggested that these could be used as cover ups while eating.   This maybe more accepted by some than an adult bib. I never even thought of that.

I am loving my progress!

Grey Pinstripe Smock Apron with Red accents

I started with a Ralph Lauren grey pinstripe 16.5/36 L men`s shirt.

I decided on red bias tape around the neckline and the arm holes.

I used one of the long sleeves for the patch pockets onto which I added red bias tape on the slant edge.

I used the other long sleeve for the waist ties. I cut the stripe 2 1/4 inches wide and 80 inches long. I ironed the sides into the center then ironed it in half.  I top stitched the ties with red thread and created square ends.  This fabric would have been too heavy to turn a tied inside out.

















It includes my standard features of a hanging loop at the back, tacked tied to allow them to adjust as needed, reinforced stress points on the patch pockets and the ties long enough to tie in front.

Burgundy with Floral Accents Apron

This apron started with a Joseph & Fiess 100% cotton (17.5/33) men`s shirt.  I had not really thought about how it being a solid color would affect my process but the price was good so I brought it home.

Well it did.  I just could not put solid bias tape on this one.  I hit the SEESA Rummage Sale today and found the exact fabric I needed to finish this apron.

It is a floral with a grey background, white, dusty pink and burgundy flowers with gold accents.  The down side is I had to make my own bias tape so there was not savings on time with this apron but it was worth it.

I used the handmade bias tape for the round neck and arm holes.  I used the same fabric for the patch pockets. I just hemmed the open edge of the pocket. The ties were created on the straight edge of the fabric.  They were just tacked to the back of the apron so they can adjust as needed to the wearer.

The ties started out at 3 inches wide then iron flat with the seam in the center. I put a line of stitching in the center which offers a bit of structure to the ties.

Reinforced stress points on the pockets and hanging loop.

This is an XL large apron in my opinion.

Apron - Purple Plaid

Another apron for my sale in November.   This one is made from a large ENYCE men`s 100 cotton shirt in purple plaid.

I added purple bias tape around the neck opening, arm holes and the slant on the patch pockets.

As always I have reinforced the stress points on the pockets.

The ties have been tacked to the middle back of the apron which allows them to adjust as needed when tied in front.

I added a hanging loop at the back. 

Shirt - Craft Cover or Apron

Upcycled another men's shirt into a garment that would work as a craft cover, a smock apron, or a extra layer for any reason.  It provides excellent protection for your clothes.

This was a navy 100% cotton Eddie Bauer shirt in XL.

I cut the neckline into a V this time as this is a bigger size and a larger person may need a big more room.

I cut the sleeves off leaving the seam intact with the garment.

I used the one long sleeve to make the waist ties and the other for the large patch pockets. 

I chose royal blue double wide bias tape which I added to the neck line, the arm holes and the slant edge on the patch pockets.

I attached the ties at the waist on the sides of the garments. They are 40 inches long each.  It allows the ties to knot in the front or the back.

The patch pockets were placed on the front either side of the button front about waist high and top stitched.

The back is left plain with the hanging loop added just below the bias tape.


All my aprons have hanging loop which allows it to be stored on a hook or peg. All the stress points are reinforced and the tie can be tied at the front or the back.
Another one done for the sale.

Upcycled Shirt - Smock Apron

I designed a new apron to use a used men's shirt.

This is a men's large 100% cotton plaid shirt in red white and navy.  The fabric is beautiful.

I cut the neck line into a nice round ensuring that the first button was close to the neck line.  I cut the sleeves off leaving the seam on the apron.  I chose red bias tape for this project.  I then sewed on the bias tape on the neckline and the sleeves.

I used one of the long sheets to make the extra long tie which allows tying in the front to back to the back.  In some situation you may not want these ties dangling in front. It was sewn to the center of the back of the apron.

The second sleeve became 2 patch pockets on the front of the apron.  I used the last the red bias tape on the slant edge of the pocket to coordinate with the rest of the apron.  The pockets had the seam allowance ironed then it was top stitched in place below the waist tie.

This is a great apron which provides great clothing coverage, excellent pockets, and a versatile tie.

The original shirt pocket remains as well as the button down front.  This one worked out so well.  It would work for a smaller person as you will be wearing it over clothes.

Apron - Shirt - Tan Burgundy Navy Stripes

I made up a shirt apron as well.

This process takes a men`s XL shirt and makes it into a quick apron.  I started with a 100% cotton shirt in a stripe pattern.

I cut the front on a slant from the arm hole to the collar then along the back of the collar down the other side.  This was hemmed by folding the fabric over and again and stitching to create a hem.


I used half of the back which was removed to make the 2 front slanted patch pockets.  I switched the direction of the stripe so they would show up nicely.

The pockets are reinforces on the corners to ensure they will hold during regular wear.  The original pocket on the right hand side is still there but because the lines align you can barely see it.

In this case I did not sew down the front button hole layer as I did not what to have navy stitching on my tan front stripes.

I used some of the other half of the back to create the ties.  Cutting along the stripes I cut a 2 inch strip, folded each side into the center and then folded in half again.

I stitched along the non fold edge with the navy thread in the machine.
Makes a sturdy tie but not too heavy to create a bow.

I reinforced where the tie connects with the apron with stitching in a box pattern to ensure it does not come loose.

The ties were 30 inches or so and tie nicely at the back in a knot or bow.

Because the shirt had short sleeves it just provides enough fabric to create the extras one needs.  There is very little fabric leftover.

This fabric is not as heavy as I had hoped so the apron is lighter weight than I would like it to be.

I expect it will do its job of protecting your clothes none the less.

Shirt Apron

I thought I would take up a suggestion from a friend to make a shirt apron.  This is an apron made from a man's shirt.  I was out yesterday to my favorite thrift store and I purchased a XXL men's denim shirt.  I brought it home and washed it and today I made an apron.

You will find many tutorials on line on how to make one of these.  We take advantage of many of the parts of the shirt.  We keep the collar, the side seams, pockets, and the bottom hem.  Basically, you cut off the sleeves and the back.  Trim the front to angle from the collar to under the former arm hole which is hemmed.  I used one of the sleeves to make the ties and the other to make the two large patch pockets.

I left several buttons open at the top to allow it to come over my head.  I have sown down the button strip from the 3rd button to the bottom edge to stabilize the front so it will act as a single piece.












I made sure that the stress points on the apron are reinforced to ensure a long life of protecting our clothes while cooking, crafting or creating.

On the right is the extra stitching in the corners of the patch pockets.

Here's the reinforcement on the attachment of the ties to the apron.  It helps a lot to have kept the double seam on the side which provides a strong point to support the back ties.

The ties are about 23" long which is plenty to just tie at the back but not enough to bring back to the front.

A great project!