Celebrate Barbie’s birthday (she’ll be 51 tomorrow) by making her an apron. Or two. Or three.
Thanks go to my Mom for carefully preserving her favorite doll patterns -
they are treasures to be handed down through a family of little girls!

Barbie Aprons

Materials Needed

Ruler. Compass. Scissors. Straight pins.Sewing needle.
Fabrics and trims as indicated in individual directions, with sewing thread to match.
All-purpose glue.

DIRECTIONS:

Striped Smock Apron

Cut piece of fabric (pictured is mattress ticking with stripes horizontal) 3 1/4″ wide and 8 1/4″ long.
With compass, mark 1 1/8 ” diameter circle in center of fabric. Fold fabric in half crosswise; cut out circle and then make cut from circle to one narrow end along center (this will be back).

For pocket at front, cut piece of fabric (with stripes running vertically) 3 1/4 ” x 1 1/4 “.
Sew black bias tape across one long edge. Pin pocket at bottom of front, raw edges even. Cut piece of black baby rickrack 2 1/2 ” long; pin, then sew down center front to bottom as shown. Pin bias tape along edges of apron except hole (neck opening); sew. Cut piece of bias tape 18″ long; pin around neck edges, leaving equal lengths of tape on each side for ties. Sew tape around neck, then continue sewing tape edges together on each side.

Trace patterns below for flower and leaf: complete half-patterns indicated by dash lines. Cut flower of orange fell, center of magenta felt, and two leaves of green felt. Glue flower and leaves on apron front as shown.

Fold apron in half: tack sides of apron together at point just above where top edge of pocket is to form armholes.

For head scarf, cut triangle of fabric 4″ at base. 2 1/4″ high.
Sew looped braid to side edges. Cut 12″ piece of bias tape: insert base edge of scarf between folds of tape, leaving equal lengths of tape on each side for ties; sew across, continue sewing edges of tape together at each side.

Pink Organdy Apron

Mark and cut about 2/3 of a 7″ diameter circle of pink organdy lor other sheer fabric.
Mark and cut out a 1 1/2″ diameter circle from center of circle (this will be waist). Sew pink rickrack along inner and outer circle edges.

Make 1/4″ hems at side edges.
Cut a 14″ piece of pink bias tape; insert waist edge of apron between folds of tape, leaving equal lengths of tape at each side for ties. Sew across tape, continuing to sew tape edges together at each side.

Checked Apron

Cut fabric such as red and white checked gingham 3″ x 10″.
Make 1/4″ hems on each side and at one long edge. Gather remaining edge to measure 3 1/2″. Cut piece of red bias tape 18″ long. Insert gathered edge between folds of tape, leaving equal lengths of tape on each side for ties. Sew across, continuing to sew edges of tape together on each side. Tie knot at each end of tie. Tack small motifs cut from print fabric to apron front to decorate.