Durable Recycled Kitchen or Garden Apron

I do believe that Good Will will always be one of my favorite places to shop. Last week, I found inexpensive yards of quilting fabric, spools of embroidery thread, and an old denim, overall-style jumper that I quickly converted into a cute, durable apron for the kitchen and garden.
When traveling through the aisles of resale shops, always keep an open mind. Look for good quality items that can be reused or repurposed for further enjoyment. Make sure to carefully launder or dry clean your clothing purchases. I once bought a backpack for $1 only to tear it apart for the zipper and cool clasps and closures. I then used them to make a colorful floral tote. So look at everything with another purpose in mind. It’s a real money saving idea and I’ll bet you’ll be pleased with some of your clever creations!

Durable Kitchen or Garden Apron

Cut the jumper along the side seams. For this apron, you will be using the backside of the garment to make use of the rear pockets. (I always look for jumpers/overalls with embellished pockets.)
Round the bottom edge of the jumper back at the hem-line and finish raw edge with double fold bias tape.

Cut two strips of coordinating fabric 4″x36″. You will sew these placing right sides together, sewing 3 sides; leaving one short edge open for turning.
Turn strips right side out, turn under raw edge 5/8″ and attach to jumper side seam at waist line. These strips will serve as apron ties.

Cut two more strips 3″x14″ to make ties for the neck straps. You will sew these placing right sides together, sewing 3 sides; leaving one short edge open for turning. Turn strips right side out, turn under raw edge 5/8″ and attach to jumper at the shoulder strap. You may have to pleat the fabric to fit the shoulder strap width. Top stitch in place.

Use decorative buttons, trims, etc. to further embellish your new apron.