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Tutorials

Men’s Dress Shirt Apron

August 17, 2013

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Whether you’re a beginner sewer or an expert seamstress, you’ll love this easy Men’s Dress Shirt Apron tutorial! Transform an old shirt into a sweet, feminine apron so you can look cute while you cook!
Learn how to make this sweet apron from a men's dress shirt so you can look cute while you cook! Perfect for beginner sewers! | LoveGrowsWild.com


Okay folks, this post is WAY outside of my comfort zone, so bear with me! Sewing is not my strong suit, and I only started teaching myself how to sew a little over a year ago. You won’t find fancy sewing techniques or detailed sewing vocabulary in this tutorial, but you WILL find how even a beginner sewer can tackle a super cute project like this! Sound good? Okay!

Earlier this week I showed you the new shelf in my kitchen and how I decorated it on a budget… Did you check it out? It has wooden pegs underneath the shelf that are perfect for holding kitchen towels, pot holders, and yes, an apron! While browsing our weekly Time to Sparkle link party, I found a stunning apron tutorial from Sugar Beans and knew it was meant to be. This adorable apron had to be mine! 
First I needed to find a men’s dress shirt. My hubby probably wouldn’t be too happy if I took a pair of scissors to any of his shirts, so I swung by Goodwill to pick one up. I found this pretty blue striped shirt in excellent condition for only $2.15! Extra large shirts work best. 
Learn how to make this sweet apron from a men's dress shirt so you can look cute while you cook! Perfect for beginner sewers! | LoveGrowsWild.com
I started by cutting off the back and arms from the shirt, leaving the collar attached to the front.

Learn how to make this sweet apron from a men's dress shirt so you can look cute while you cook! Perfect for beginner sewers! | LoveGrowsWild.com
I cut right up to the seams but left them intact so I wouldn’t have to hem or have any loose edges. I like to take the easy route whenever I can, especially when it comes to sewing!
Learn how to make this sweet apron from a men's dress shirt so you can look cute while you cook! Perfect for beginner sewers! | LoveGrowsWild.com

Once you cut off the back, your collar should now look like this:

Learn how to make this sweet apron from a men's dress shirt so you can look cute while you cook! Perfect for beginner sewers! | LoveGrowsWild.com
Next I folded the collar up and using a ruler, made a line from the bottom of the armpit to the top of the shoulder. 

Learn how to make this sweet apron from a men's dress shirt so you can look cute while you cook! Perfect for beginner sewers! | LoveGrowsWild.com
To make sure both sides were even, I buttoned the shirt all the way up and folded it in half. I used pins to hold the fabric in place and cut along the line. Then I opened the shirt back up and hemmed along the raw edges I just cut on both sides. 

Learn how to make this sweet apron from a men's dress shirt so you can look cute while you cook! Perfect for beginner sewers! | LoveGrowsWild.com
To make the ties for the apron, I cut two 4″ wide strips from the back of the shirt. I turned the two long edges under and sewed, then I folded the strip in half and sewed it closed. I cut one end of each tie on the diagonal and hemmed. 

Learn how to make this sweet apron from a men's dress shirt so you can look cute while you cook! Perfect for beginner sewers! | LoveGrowsWild.com
Then I attached the straight edge of the ties to the sides of the apron and backstitched several times for reinforcement. Now the main part of the apron is done! 

Learn how to make this sweet apron from a men's dress shirt so you can look cute while you cook! Perfect for beginner sewers! | LoveGrowsWild.com
To dress the apron up a bit, I followed Sugar Bean’s advice and cut the cuff off one of the arms and sewed it on the front of the apron for a pocket. I also cut another 4″ strip from the back and sewed a ruffle onto the bottom of the apron. It really gave the apron a finished look and added a ton of girly charm! I just LOVE it!!
Learn how to make this sweet apron from a men's dress shirt so you can look cute while you cook! Perfect for beginner sewers! | LoveGrowsWild.com
Remember how I said this is WAY out of my comfort zone? Try modeling an apron in heels while photographing yourself using a tripod in your backyard with road construction crews driving by every 2 minutes… Yeah, this was a challenge! But I love the way the apron turned out, and I think these pictures turned out pretty cute too! What do you think… am I a model? HA!

Learn how to make this sweet apron from a men's dress shirt so you can look cute while you cook! Perfect for beginner sewers! | LoveGrowsWild.com
This whole project only cost me the price of a thrift store shirt, and I cannot wait to make more! Christmas presents maybe? 

Learn how to make this sweet apron from a men's dress shirt so you can look cute while you cook! Perfect for beginner sewers! | LoveGrowsWild.com
I am so proud of myself for tackling this sewing project, and now my pretty new apron proudly hangs on my kitchen shelf!
Learn how to make this sweet apron from a men's dress shirt so you can look cute while you cook! Perfect for beginner sewers! | LoveGrowsWild.com  
Whether you’re a novice or an expert, you can easily tackle this apron too! Hope you enjoy this project, your weekend, and my awkward modeling : )
Thanks again to Sugar Beans for inspiring me!
More projects from my kitchen:
Thrifting & Upcycling: How to Decorate on a Budget
How to Decorate on a Budget

DIY Photo Clipboards
DIY Photo Clipboards

Market Fresh Rustic Kitchen Sign
Market Fresh Kitchen Sign

DIY Rustic Industrial Chalkboard
DIY Rustic Industrial Chalkboard

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P.S. I’m sharing this post at some awesome link parties… Check them out HERE!
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by Liz Fourez 
51 Comments

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Comments

  1. kate lewis says: August 17, 2013 at 6:35 pm

    You are looking so awesome in this apron and color compatibility is so awesome.
    http://www.apparelnbags.com/mens-t-shirt-cotton.htm

    Reply
  2. Beth @ Incomplete Guide to Living says: August 18, 2013 at 7:27 am

    Love it ! I’m loving this whole process of the kitchen coming together…and you are too cute in your new apron! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  3. Anonymous says: August 18, 2013 at 1:30 pm

    LOVE it! And you make it look so simple!

    Reply
  4. Lindsey says: August 18, 2013 at 8:12 pm

    Oh this is so cute! I love your refashion and I’m going to add this to my list of to-dos cuz I’ve been posting refashions on my site also! Found you through Craftgawker, right by my post and now I’m a follower! HelloHydrangea.com

    Reply
  5. Anne Weaver says: August 19, 2013 at 3:29 pm

    Cute apron!! I’ve linked to your tutorial over at Craft Gossip:
    http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-apron-from-a-mans-button-up-shirt/2013/08/19/
    –Anne

    Reply
  6. Karla says: August 19, 2013 at 5:19 pm

    This is so cute! I love it. I love refashions!! I would LOVE for you to share this at “That’s My Style” Link Party this FRIDAY! I hope to see you there. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Karla @ http://www.MySerendipitousLife.com

    Reply
  7. Abby Lawson says: August 20, 2013 at 11:08 am

    Cute, cute, CUTE!!! I don’t think you’re allowed to call yourself a beginner sewer anymore because this is just way too awesome! ๐Ÿ˜‰ I popped over from A Bowl Full of Lemons–thanks for sharing!

    ~Abby =)

    Reply
  8. Zainab Mansaray says: August 20, 2013 at 9:37 pm

    This is gorgeous! So feminine. Love your photos too. I’m sure the construction guys didn’t mind ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  9. Ann Huffman says: August 20, 2013 at 10:37 pm

    Adorable! The apron and the photos! Found you through Home Stories A to Z linky party. ~Ann at Tarnished Royalty

    Reply
  10. lej619 says: August 21, 2013 at 8:41 pm

    great job! think I might have to make myself one.

    Reply
  11. lej619 says: August 21, 2013 at 8:42 pm

    Great job!! think I’ll have to make one for myself.

    Reply
  12. Miranda Winslett says: August 22, 2013 at 8:34 pm

    This is TOO cute! I’d love for you to link it up on my DIY Weekend feature!

    mrandmrswinslett.blogspot.com/2013/08/diy-weekend.html

    Reply
  13. Capturing Joy with Kristen Duke says: August 22, 2013 at 10:45 pm

    Love that!!! I need a new and cute apron…

    Reply
  14. Becca Diestelkamp-Woodham says: August 23, 2013 at 8:47 pm

    Love this! Hubby’s got about 5 shirt sitting in the basement that he doesn’t wear. May have a new project. Hope you stop by Friday’s Five Features again and link up this post! http://diy-vintage-chic.blogspot.com/2013/08/fridays-five-features-no-5.html

    Reply
  15. Tonia Larson says: August 23, 2013 at 10:19 pm

    Love this idea! Sooo fun!

    Reply
  16. kristi dominguez says: August 24, 2013 at 3:49 am

    How adorable are YOU?!? Loving this. And I love the whole tripod scene…so funny!!

    Reply
  17. Lyuba @ Will Cook For Smiles says: August 24, 2013 at 3:19 pm

    That is SO adorable!! I love it ๐Ÿ˜‰
    You are too cute too! (Glad to see you still have your rustic “background!”)

    Reply
  18. Jocelyn says: August 24, 2013 at 4:51 pm

    Oh my gosh! You are the cutest! I love your fun barn backdrop! And I think you totally need to add sewing to your list of talents because this looks awesome!!

    Reply
  19. Melissa @ No. 2 Pencil says: August 26, 2013 at 12:26 pm

    This apron is adorable and so are you!!! Love it!

    Reply
  20. Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates says: August 29, 2013 at 11:44 pm

    Very cute and thrifty idea!! And you make a great model! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  21. Eva says: August 31, 2013 at 3:10 am

    What a great project! A very classy way to cook:)

    Reply
  22. Anonymous says: September 3, 2013 at 3:21 pm

    I think I will try one sleeve as a pocket and the other sleeve to wipe my hands with…Love the apron!

    Reply
  23. Anonymous says: September 4, 2013 at 5:45 am

    Very cute!! And so are the pics! Hey, look at it this way, you gave those guys a little entertainment and I’m sure, brightened their day!! ๐Ÿ˜‰ Ellie

    Reply
  24. Marie @ Substance of Living says: September 7, 2013 at 1:20 am

    Liz,

    Thank you so much for sharing! You make a great model and this apron is adorable. Perfect gift for a hostess, holiday, house-warming, birthday, and just because!

    Cheers,
    Marie

    Reply
  25. Anonymous says: October 22, 2013 at 7:19 pm

    My Dad just passed away a few weeks ago, I decided to make aprons for my sister, niece and I from his dress shirts as a memory of him. Thanks for posting this, your apron looks great, just what I was looking for ๐Ÿ™‚

    Colleen

    Reply
  26. Margarita says: December 6, 2013 at 11:14 pm

    Thank you for a very good tutorial! I made 5 for Christmas and a friend wants 7 for his mother and her friends in a rest home. One was made with a boy’s blue shirt and I put eyelet on the bottom of the ruffle for youngest granddaughter . I had seen the ones without the pocket and ruffle at a craft bazaar earlier this month.

    Reply
    • Liz Fourez says: December 9, 2013 at 6:36 am

      You are so welcome! It sounds like you’ve been a busy seamstress lately! What a sweet handmade gift for your friends and family. I bet they look lovely! Thank you so much for letting me know you enjoyed the tutorial I shared. It made my day! Happy holidays!

      Reply
  27. Sharon Ryan says: January 8, 2014 at 11:41 am

    I picked up a thrift store shirt yesterday to make this adorable apron. You did a wonderful job on yours. Onward and upward to other exciting projects. You’ve got what it takes.

    Reply
    • Liz Fourez says: January 10, 2014 at 8:50 am

      Hi Sharon! I’m so glad you enjoyed the project! I bet yours will turn out beautifully. Thanks so much for stopping by!

      Reply
  28. jamyjack says: March 6, 2014 at 6:39 am

    Thank you so much for sharing! You make a great model and this apron is adorable.

    Reply
  29. DaisyRootsBoots says: August 25, 2014 at 2:52 pm

    Wow!! Such a simple yet brilliantly effective way of making it out of the shirt!! Feel very inspired,, digging out my sewing box right now!! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Liz Fourez says: August 26, 2014 at 9:25 am

      That makes me so happy! Have fun sewing! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  30. carole says: October 18, 2014 at 6:15 pm

    Ive seen these done a few different ways but yours is my favorite. I have some shirts I love but never wear and a few of my hubbys that I really like but he dosent wear anymore, so Ill be using you pattern to make them into something Ill use.Thanks for posting this cant wait to get them started ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Liz Fourez says: October 24, 2014 at 9:29 pm

      That’s great, Carole! Those old dress shirts really do make beautiful aprons. Enjoy your sewing time! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  31. Diane says: October 24, 2014 at 8:29 am

    Really, really cute, but I don’t know a person in my family 22 and counting that wear an apron to cook. Kind of old school.

    Reply
    • Liz Fourez says: October 24, 2014 at 11:16 pm

      That is true! I don’t always wear one, but on days when I have a nice outfit on or I’m making something especially messy, it really helps!

      Reply
  32. Katie Lyn says: November 15, 2014 at 8:58 pm

    I have been wanting to tackle this type of apron for a while now and for about a year I’ve only found Russian instructions. So glad I found yours and the link to Sugar Beans. I can’t wait to try it, and I like you, am not huge in sewing. I just don’t do it, however I’ve been sewing a bit recently… an azuma bukuro bag and some cute little drawstring bags. I have to start somewhere. And since my apron is almost worn through, I have to try this.
    The heels and apron look so cute. I’d totally be happy with the self portraits (I know how difficult that can be as well.)

    Reply
    • Liz Fourez says: November 16, 2014 at 10:46 pm

      I’m so glad you found this tutorial, Katie! I’m sure learning to sew in Russian wouldn’t be very fun. ๐Ÿ™‚ Enjoy the new apron!

      Reply
  33. Debbie says: January 11, 2015 at 8:14 pm

    My father passed away in Sept, this year for Christmas my niece and my sister in law made an apron for all my sister’s and the granddaughters out of some of father’s shirts. Best gift ever.

    Reply
    • Liz Fourez says: January 12, 2015 at 10:11 pm

      That is so sweet, Debbie! What a great way to remember and honor him!

      Reply
  34. Ruth says: February 24, 2015 at 1:01 am

    I am definitely going to try this. Your instructions were great!

    Reply
  35. Vicki says: April 26, 2015 at 12:55 am

    I have been sewing my whole life and you did a great job with this. SUPER cute idea!

    Reply
    • Liz Fourez says: April 27, 2015 at 8:48 pm

      Thank you so much, Vicki! That means the world to me. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  36. Lesley Brough says: August 6, 2015 at 12:38 pm

    I have been wearing an old shirt of my husbands for my craft work and really looking messy. Now I am going to change it to look like this and start really looking good instead.
    Thank you.

    Reply
  37. Lesley Brough says: August 6, 2015 at 12:39 pm

    PS. I wonder if he will miss his evening dress shirts? hmmm

    Reply
  38. Bebe says: November 10, 2015 at 10:47 am

    I think you did an excellent job and yes you are very cute in your modeling pictures can’t wait to make some for me

    Reply
  39. karrie_sue_too says: November 28, 2015 at 11:40 pm

    Thand you for this awesome idea. My brother died last year and was a huge Monopoly fan. A friend made him a Monopoly shirt he wore all the time. After his death, my sister-in-law gave me a sack of his clothes, knowing I’m a bit creative and asked if I wanted to do something with them. I can’t wait to make her this apron as a Christmas gift this year. If I hurry, I’ll make one for his daughter as well.

    Reply
    • Liz Fourez says: December 2, 2015 at 8:57 am

      That is such a sweet idea! I bet they would love a special gift like that. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  40. Carol Roeder says: December 9, 2015 at 10:18 am

    Hi Liz,

    I truly love your repurposed apron!! You did a wonderful job and I can’t wait to make one!!!! I love the idea of getting your shirt from Goodwill too. By the way, the one thing that set your apron apart from the rest was that wonderful pocket. That was like the candles on the cake for me. Thank you for sharing your apron, the easy to follow; no frills directions and great pictures of what you were doing! You are one very creative person!

    Reply
  41. Jocelyne Pambrun says: September 23, 2016 at 8:54 am

    please send me the men shirt apron idea

    Reply
  42. Natalie (QSOgirl) says: October 19, 2016 at 3:37 pm

    This is so cute! I made one for myself ๐Ÿ™‚ Thanks for the great tutorial.
    https://vegetablog.wordpress.com/2016/10/19/dress-shirt-apron/

    Reply

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Liz Fourez started Love Grows Wild in 2012 with a passion for interior design and homemaking and a dream to help others create a home they love.  From simple project tutorials, to holiday and entertaining ideas, to her journey renovating a 1940’s farmhouse, Liz demonstrates how to create a beautiful and inviting home with a handmade touch. She turned her signature cozy, neutral style into a best-selling book in 2016 and continues to inspire readers with her captivating photography and easy decorating ideas. Read more about Liz > > > >

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