I am copying a retro apron for a friend. Here is the original apron. I love looking at ready-to-wear garments and assessing how they’re constructed; I learn something every time.
For instance, with this apron, I noticed right away that the self-binding was applied to the right side only of the apron. You can see the right side in this close-up of the neck. Although you can’t see the underside, take my word for it that there is no binding; the underside is smooth. The apron is not lined. What do you think of this look – binding on the right side? I really like it! Unfortunately, the fabric given me for the apron I will make as a copy does not have enough extra to make self-binding like this, so I’ll have to use another fabric for the binding and I’ll apply it to the inside. Bummer!
To copy the apron, I pieced together two strips of pattern paper. I use disposable exam room table paper, just what you find at a doctor’s office. Then I folded the apron exactly in half and laid it out on the paper. I traced all around it, with the exception of the ties. I also traced the pocket, marked its placement on the apron body pattern, and measured the ties.
After cutting them out, this is the tracing of the body of the apron and the pocket — now a pattern that I can use over and over again! (I added seam allowances before cutting out, though – keep reading to see where I added them.)
I edited the picture to show you my pattern markings – 1) the added 1/4″ seam allowances to all edges but the fold edge, 2) the marked fold edge, 3) the pocket placement markings, and 4) the pocket pattern (to which seam allowances were added, along with an extra 1-inch for the pocket top edge hem). In addition, on the pocket piece, I wrote down the two tie’s dimensions (which include seam allowances, too). I don’t see the need to cut out a pattern piece for the ties when they are just long strips of a certain dimension. Also, I marked my chosen seam allowance of 1/4″ on the pattern. If I use this pattern again, I don’t want to be left wondering what the seam allowance is!
Finally, I figured out how much binding I would need. To do this, I measured around the apron, from the center neck to the bottom center front of the apron. I doubled this measurement, then added 10 inches to spare, ending up with 190 inches. How wide though? Well, the binding’s finished width is 1/2″, so its cut width must be 1″ (the 1/2″ plus 1/4″ seam allowances for each edge). So to complete this apron, I need 190″ of 1″ wide binding. I marked this on the pattern, so I would never have to figure it out again. 
A few other things. The binding must be cut on the bias, if I use binding cut from my fabric stash. Otherwise, if I use store-bought bias it is already cut on the bias. This will ensure that it stretches to go around the curved edges of the apron.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where I will continue the construction of this copy of a ready-to-wear retro apron. If you have any questions, please let me know!
What a cool pattern. I have made aprons, but they were lame compared to this on. I like that this one has the neck hole as all one piece with the apron. Thanks for sharing.