DIY Network

Dishtowel Apron Put vintage dishtowels back to work as charming aprons. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-121

Add some retro chic to your kitchen with these fun aprons.

Do you have a drawer full of embroidered dishtowels that you can't bear to use because they're vintage, or they belonged to your grandmother or they're just too darn nice to wipe dishes with?

If you love them—either because they're beautiful or for sentimental reasons—they need to be out where you can see them. Michele Beschen's solution: Turn those fancy dishtowels into retro aprons. They'll look great and do an important kitchen job, without the daily wear and tear of dishcloth duty. Scroll down for the B. Original host's easy how-to.

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Dishtowel Apron

Materials:

fancy vintage dishtowels
scalloped vintage handkerchief
sewing machine
decorator trim or ribbon

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

• Press the dishtowels and lay out on a flat work surface. Look at the dishtowels' sizes and determine how many you will need for an apron.

• If you're using more than one dishtowel for the apron, pin them together and hold them up to yourself in front of a mirror. Decide how long your apron needs to be, and how far around your waist the main part of the apron needs to extend. Use the finished edges of the dishtowels as the sides of the apron.

• Rearrange the dishtowels to fit your dimensions and to make the most of any decorative stitching or stamping. Stitch the dishtowels together; roll down the top edge and sew in place to finish off (figure A).

• Cut a scalloped handkerchief into fourths. Place three pieces of the handkerchief diagonally across the apron hem, one on each side and one in the middle. Sew in place (figure B).

• Place the last piece of the handkerchief as a pocket on the apron.

• Give the waist some shape by making even gathers along the waistband and pinning into place. Stitch the pleats down (figure C).

• Sew fabric ribbon or decorative trim along the waistband, leaving enough on each side to tie in the back.

Wear your new retro apron with pride—it's perfect for whenever you want to cook up something original!