Martha Stewart Baker’s Apron

Recently for my birthday there was a macaron making party because I love macarons and I like making macarons even more! So of course, since it was my birthday, I had to be dressed appropriately with a macaron apron.

I found this fabulous fabric on Etsy. It’s cotton linen from Japan that is all about macarons. I actually found several Japanese prints that had macarons on them, but this one shouted baker’s apron.

(Please ignore the loose threads in the top right photo. I had to get my photographer to take a picture of my back before I finished them.)

I had been eyeing the Martha Stewart Baker’s Apron for a while, wanting to try it out since I saw it in the magazine some 8 year ago. This cotton linen seemed like a good fit. And my go-to cute apron, the Emmeline, would have been too bulky with such a thick fabric.

The pattern is pretty basic. It’s single layer. Just folded over edges with the straps attached. My mom folded over the edges while I sewed because we were making two — one for her and one for me although I don’t have a photo of hers.

Actually, there’s a pocket in the original pattern, but I eliminated that part since I never use pockets in my aprons. I just folded the pattern up and cut it out minus the pocket fold. Also, it saved more of my imported fabric for something else. (Not sure what yet though.)

The straps are where I deviated from Martha’s pattern. First, she has you cut strips of the fabric. I had this cotton webbing that I thought would look cuter and it’s faster than cutting out straps, stitching and turning inside out. We did do that for my mom’s because I didn’t have enough webbing and it looked cute. I just wanted something different.

Second, I attached them on the inside, rather than the outside. You can see the square stitch I did above to attach.

Third, Martha’s instructions direct you to look at the Gardener’s apron for how to attach the straps. I found those instructions somewhat confusing. Also, I didn’t have any D-rings on me and didn’t have time to go get them so we decided to do a criss-cross back. This style is also nice if you don’t like having something around your neck.

So I added extra loops on either side at the top back and threaded the straps through that and then tied them.

To make the loops:

• Cut 2 6” x 5” pieces.
• Stitch each lengthwise to make a tube.
• Turn tubes inside out.
• Press so the seams are along an edge.
• Top stitch both edges of each tube.
• Fold under ends of each tube and attach with top stitching at the top back.

I was really happy how it turned out! It’s a very simple pattern. Probably under an hour even with my changes (especially if you don’t have make straps). Would make an easy gift of beginner project.