Mile-a-Minute Jelly Roll Apron! free sewing pattern

Sew an easy and fun apron using jelly roll strips! This free Mile-a-Minute Apron Pattern is fast to sew and makes a great gift (if you can bear to part with it).

Since one apron only requires 16 strips of fabric that are 2 1/2’’ wide by 42’’ long, there are enough strips in a jelly roll bundle to make 2 aprons!

This blog post has been converted to an optional PDF that’s optimized for printing. Find it here. The blog post below includes everything you need including a free template in the materials list and is totally free to read, print, and sew! Just hit CTRL +P on your computer to print. The PDF download is inexpensive and optional.

When finished, this easy apron sewn from strips will be approximately 33’’ tall and 30’’ wide (not including the neck or waist ties). The pockets are super functional, but you can leave them off if you prefer.

And talk about functional, this apron covers your clothes so well that nothing gets stained! It’s a great size for women or men. I’m 5’4’’ and you can see what it looks like on me in the photo above.

Sew… let’s get stitching!

Mile-a-Minute Jelly Roll Apron Pattern

You will need:

• 16 strips of fabric that are 2 1/2’’ wide and at least 42’’ long*
• 1 yard of coordinating fabric for the backing and pockets
• my free Full Coverage Apron Template

*You can sew this apron from leftover 2 1/2’’ strips of any length – you’ll just need to sew more together!

Cutting

Start by cutting the selvages off of the ends of the sixteen 2 1/2’’ wide strips. Measure to make sure that your strips are at least 42’’ long without the selvages. If not, you’ll need one more strip.

Sewing the Apron Front

1. Using a 1/4’’ seam allowance, sew 13 of the fabric strips together end to end to make one very long strip. If your strips are less than 42’’ long, you’ll need to sew 14 together.

Alternate: If you like, sew the strips together at right angles for a different look. See how in my quilt binding tutorial.

2. From your long strip, cut 16 pieces, each 34’’ long.

3. Sew the sixteen 34’’ strips together along the long edges to make a big piece approximately 32 1/2’’ wide and 34’’ tall. Use a 1/4’’ seam allowance.

Tip: If your strips are not sewing together evenly, try switching the direction of your seams for every other one.

Trim the top and bottom edges to make the fabric piece even, if necessary.

4. Use the Full Coverage Apron Template to cut away the top corners of your fabric piece.

More Cutting

1. Lay the apron top face down against your backing fabric and cut around the edges to make an apron back that is the same size as the apron front.

2. From the remaining 3 fabric strips, cut:

• 2 neck ties 2 1/2’’ x 18’’
• 2 waist ties 2 1/2’’ x 32’’

3. For the pockets, cut:

• 2 rectangles 8 1/2’’ x 7’’

Tip: The pocket pieces can be cut from new fabric, from the backing fabric, or from the rounded scraps cut from the corners of the apron top!

Sewing the Pockets

1. Press the top edge of each pocket rectangle over by 1/2’’ two times to make a 1/2’’ hem. Stitch the hem close to the fold.

2. Fold the bottom and side edges of the pockets to the back by 1/2’’ (just once) and press well.

3. Lay the apron top right side up on your workspace. Use the vertical seams in the apron top to help you pin the pockets in the right spots.

Place the lower inside corners of the pockets on the first seam over (2’’) from the center seam, and 19 1/2’’ down from the top edge.

Tilt the pockets toward the outer edges and place the top inner corners 2 seams over (4’’) from the center seam and 13’’ down from the top edge.

Pin around the side and bottom edges to secure the pockets to the apron top.

4. Use coordinating thread to sew the pockets to the apron top around the sides and bottom edges.

Sewing the Neck and Waist Ties

1. Fold each of the neck and waist ties in half lengthwise (right sides together) and pin. Sew across one long edge and then one short end with a 1/4’’ seam allowance.

2. Trim away the extra fabric at the bottom corners, and then use a chopstick or turning tool to turn the ties right side out. Press them flat.

3. Topstitch around each tie piece, 1/8’’ from the edges. Repeat for both neck ties and both waist ties.

4. Pin the ends of the ties to the top and side edges of the apron:

• The raw ends of the shorter neck ties should be 1/2’’ from the top corners of the apron.
• The raw ends of the longer waist ties should be 1/2’’ below the side corners of the apron.

Stitch across the ends to secure them about 1/4’’ away from the edge.

Finish Sewing your Jelly Roll Apron

1. Place the apron back piece and the apron top right sides together and pin all the way around.

Make sure the ties are all pushed toward the center of the apron (or tucked in the pockets) so they don’t get caught in the seams.

2. Sew all the way around the apron with a 1/2’’ seam allowance. Leave a 6’’ opening along the bottom edge for turning the apron right side out.

3. Trim away the extra fabric at the corners. Cut 1/2’’ clips to the stitching line along the curved edges, without cutting the stitches.

4. Turn the apron right side out through the opening. Press it flat.

5. Topstitch all the way around the apron 1/8’’ from the edge, closing the opening at the same time.

And that’s how to sew a jelly roll apron! Are you going to keep it or give it as a gift?

As always, I love to see the things you make using my free patterns and tutorials. Post a picture to Instagram and tag me @sewcanshe or #sewcanshe so I can take a look!