Purge to Project: Apron from old Dress Shirt
Make the perfect craft apron from men’s old shirts and closet cast offs
The projects from the whole house purge seem to have no end! I have really been wanting a new craft apron. That may sound silly, but I’m a super messy painter that is always setting things down and losing them…I need protection and pockets. Lucky for me my mom came to town and that always means craft time! I sketched up a new craft apron and she whipped it up for me. Her talent has no end.
For my new apron I really wanted to go with colors and fabric I love. The palette started with one of my husband’s old dress shirts that he was tossing (I even got him on the purge train!). Black and white – my go to! An old table cloth, full of stains was the next piece to the apron puzzle.
My mom brought over a bag full of fabric scraps she thought I might like (because she is busy purging her craft closet, which is no small chore friends. I get my hoarding tendencies from her!) and we pieced together some fun pattern and texture to fit my pocket needs!
The number one pocket on my list was a cell phone pocket. I like to keep my phone close by, only because I have three kiddos gallivanting around at school and you never know what kind of call that can bring! Here’s the deal on a cell phone pocket…I don’t want to sit on my phone and I need the pocket deep so that my phone doesn’t fly out every time I bend over. #priorities
Next, I need multiple deep pockets to haul stuff around like paint and brushes and camera lens covers. And maybe a snack.
I also wanted a built in hand towel, because you can never find one when you need it. My mom suggested a removable one, but it too would get lost, attached it must be. So another purge item got used…dingy towel to the rescue. Oh – and it has an adjustable neck length/tie back because the apron strings slide through the seams in the sides. Amazing.
Now I’m not exactly a handyman, but this craft apron is sort of like a tool built for me too. Therefore it needed a loop to hold a hammer, because I hammer a lot. I’m calling this craft apron 1.0 because I am going to see how it goes and improvements may get added later. It’s nice to have what you need when you need it and this DIY craft apron will definitely do the trick! So tell me what I forgot! Any great craft apron additions I need to add to the next version? As always, sharing is caring and makes my heart smile! Thanks friends.
I absolutely adore this. I wear aprons to cook and to craft. I would appreciate a pattern. It is so clever. Go Mom!
I will work on the pattern and yes – my mom rocks! SO glad y’all like it!
I made an apron and put a phone pocket inside a deeper pocket and padded it with quilt batting to protect it in my adventures!
that is genius!
That is such a great idea! One thing I would find helpful would be a pocket for reading glasses. They are on & off, on & off plus are either in the way or can’t be found.
amen – I need that too! My glasses are always hiding from me 🙁 great idea!
Would love the pattern! This could work for the garden also!!
I will work on the pattern! I think it would be great for just about any craft/hobby you do!
cute!! How about a drop cloth one?
Absolutely – drop cloth is my favorite!!!! that would be precious!
Very classy, and all of us girls need to look our best when we are painting and crafting. So where’s the how to, i guess that’s next. You were probably giving us time to get our material rounded up and ready right,lol! Have a great weekend.
yes!lol – actually I am working on it. I wasn’t sure how well the project would go over. I do so little sewing. I am so glad you guys like it!
Oh yes, definitely a pattern. Maybe scaled so that tiny petite DIYers won’t get swallowed up in the size apron a plus-sized gal would treasure (because it would wrap at least half way around her).
To test a potential ‘perfect apron’ I would sit at my painting easel and see if a flying paintbrush could find my unprotected shirt or jeans. Then I would see if nails, screws, and such would stay in the pockets as I bent and twisted–maybe a section like a traditional nail apron. Oh–MOST IMPORTANT–it’s gotta’ have a place for a hankie or tissue for those allergy-triggered drips.
Too many requests? I hope not. This blog reminds me of a chapter in a book of short stories from Grandma’s Attic. Grandpa asked for an apron… and it saved his life!
I so enjoy your writings and especially the spiritual applications. You are a blessing!
I will work on the pattern and let you know! thanks so much
Oh my how adorable and really functional at the same time
love to have function!!!
Love your apron and really love that you and your mom worked on it together! Thanks for the inspiration. Gig em!
gig ’em! we never get as much done as we set out too, but we have a good time anyway!
Wonderful APRON! I am not a sewer but would love a pattern. I will drag out my sewing machine for your APRON. Love the phone pocket!
thanks Linda – I will get it our soon!
A custom apron; great idea! Pinned!
Thanks for sharing – you are my favorite 😉
Glad you liked it
Hi, this is my first time here. Got here from Funky Junk. I LOVE this idea and as I am a crafter/handywoman as well as a horse girl, I will make one of these for both places. The cell phone and glasses ideas got me most. I am always taking my glasses off when I get sweaty (excuse me, dewy). I lost one pair of glasses in the stable for 6 months recently because I hung them up when grooming and then couldn’t find them. I’m thinking drop cloth with flannel pockets. Can’t wait!
well yes, us girls only glisten right!? Sounds like a cute fabric combo and they are easy enough to make tow for sure! I am so happy to have you here, hope you’ll come back soon!
your apron turned out really cute. Would love to see a pattern, I’m in with the glasses pocket too.
Love the functional apron and I’m agreeing with a glasses pocket. Love the attached towel idea too. One thought: does anyone worry about keeping a cell phone so close to “the girls”? In the past I’ve read articles about the dangers of this…it has been so long ago…can’t remember the details, but it stuck with me. I’m remembering the article warning against sticking your cell in your bra as a pocket…it’s not healthy to breast tissue. What do you think?
HI Lana – I have no idea, but you could always move the pocket and I am not sure this is something you would wear all the time, but if you are more comforatble with it somewhere else, I think that is a great idea!!!