Aprons are handy when tackling messy craft or cooking projects. For some activities, like gardening or pottery, a regular apron doesn't get the job done. Here's a simple, Japanese-inspired pinafore that's you can sew up in a couple of hours. 

Supplies

• 2 yards of fabric
• scissors
• pins
• fabric marker or fabric soap
• measuring tape
• thread
• sewing machine
• iron

Cutting

There is no pattern for this apron, rather, more of a guide. It's basically a large rectangle with two crisscrossed straps. To get the right size for your body, measure the circumference of your chest and add six inches. That will be your width.

Length isn't as important because you can hem it to whatever length you like. Just make sure the fabric you choose is wide and long enough to get the coverage you want. 

For the facing, it's the same width of your body pieces by six inches. Cut the rest of the pieces according to the diagram. You should have six total pieces as follows:

• Body (circumference of chest plus six inches)
• Facing (same width of body by six inches)
• Straps (two peices 24 by six inches)
• Pockets (two peices 10 by 10 inches)

Straps

Iron the strap peices in half, length-wise with the right sides facing each other. Sew a 1/4 inch seam down the open side, leaving the two end pieces unsewn. Turn the straps inside out (the pretty side of the fabric will now be showing) and press the straps keeping the seam down the middle of one side. Set aside.

Body

Lay the body of the apron right side up along the long edge. Measure 2 1/2 inches from the edge of each side and mark. Lay the strap with seam side up, aligning the edge of the of strap to the edge of the body. Pin in place. Repeat on the other side.

Iron a 1/2 inch seam along edge of the facing. Line up the facing along the edge of the body (on top of the strap) and pin in place. 

Sew a 1/4 inch seam along the top edge.

Sew a line on just the outside of the straps on the edge of the body. Make sure the strap is out of the way, so it doesn't get sewn down. Remove the excess fabric at the corners. 

Adding Straps to Middle

Find the middle of the apron and pin. Measure 3 1/2 inches on both sides of the middle and mark. 

Open three inches of the seam to the outside (away from the middle) of each mark. This is where you will insert the straps from the opposite ends of each edge. Insert the straps in through the holes (with the seams facing up) and pin in place. Repeat on the opposite end. 

Once you sew the straps in place, your apron should look like this.

Turn the corners out. The facing should fall to the back of the apron. Iron a two inch seam on the sides. Sew down the facing of the apron along the 1/2 inch seam. 

Pockets

Iron a 1/2 inch seam along all four sides of both pieces of 10x10 inch pocket. Sew the seams in place all around. 

Fold the apron in half. Determine how far down you want your pockets by measuring the length of your arm. The pockets should be where your hands will comfortably fit into them most of the way.  Once your determine how far down the pockets need to be, measure 3 1/2 inches from the center fold of the apron and mark.  Line up your pockets and pin in place. Top stitch around the pockets, leaving the top unsewn.

Finishing Up

To finish off the apron, hem the bottom of your apron to your liking. Slip it over your head and make sure the straps cross in the back.