How to Make a Men's Bespoke Apron

Spruce up Dad's barbecue or morning coffee routine with a rugged yet dapper denim apron featuring leather towel loops and a cellphone pocket.

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Materials Needed:

  • 1 1/2 yards of denim or chambray fabric
  • water-soluble fabric pencil or chalk
  • straightedge
  • measuring tape
  • X-Acto knife
  • 1"-wide leather strip
  • 1/2"-wide leather strip
  • leather punch
  • 6 medium rapid rivets
  • rivet setter
  • rubber mallet
  • small anvil
  • sewing machine
  • heavy-duty thread
  • scissors

Cut Fabric

With measuring tape, cut fabric into a 27 x 34-inch piece. Mark both sides with chalk 9 inches from the top.

Mark Angle

With a straightedge, mark upwards at a 45-degree angle inward toward the center of fabric. Make sure to leave a straight neck at least 11 inches across at the top.

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Create Seam

Create a 1 1/2-inch seam by folding fabric under on all sides. Pin and sew together (image 1). If working with stiff denim, use an iron to set in the seams (image 2).

Make Pocket

To create a pocket, cut a 12x8-inch piece of fabric, and repeat steps for sewing a seam on all sides. Pin both sides and bottom of the pocket onto the apron. Sew leaving the top open.

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Make Cellphone Pouch

To create a cellphone pouch, mark 3 inches from the left of the pocket and sew a line down the center.

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Make Apron Straps

Cut 2 strips of fabric measuring 25 x 3 inches, folding in half inward with seam tucked inside. Pin and sew together (image 1). Attach straps at the base of the 45 degree angles (image 2).

Add Notches

Shorten 1-inch-wide leather strap to 21 inches, and the 1/2-inch leather strap to 9-inch and 12-inch length strips (image 1). With chalk and an X-Acto knife, create a notch detail on both ends of the 1-inch strip and one end of your two 1/2-inch strips (image 2).

Attach Leather Loops

With a leather punch tool, punch a hole above each leather notch (image 1). On your anvil, sandwich the denim and leather between the rivet backing and cap (use your X-Acto knife to ease the backing through your fabric), and set into place by striking the rivet setter with a rubber mallet (image 2). Repeat rivet setting steps for both cellphone pocket detail (image 3) and towel loop (image 4). For the towel loop, punch an extra hole through the back of your leather strap, and push rivet backing through both to set in place.

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