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    Home » DIY Projects

    Tea Towel Apron Appliqued With Fun Whimsical Houses

    February 22, 2022 by Patti Estep 12 Comments

    Jump to How-to Card
    Tea towel apron on a mannequin over apron flat on floor.
    House applique tea towel apron.

    This tea towel apron is super simple to make, and it's decorated with fabric houses appliqued at the bottom, for a fun whimsical look. A great beginner sewing project that comes together in an afternoon.

    Tea towel apron on a manniquin.

    If you know someone who likes to use an apron while they cook, you will love this tea towel apron tutorial. It's easy to make, and you can use some of your scrap fabric to decorate the bottom in the shape of houses.  This project uses a standard-sized white tea towel or flour sack measuring 28 inches by 28 inches. I had a couple of leftovers from the handwritten family tea towel project and thought the size worked perfectly for an apron.

    This post contains some affiliate links (that means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, there’s no additional cost to you, but I will earn a very small commission. ) i.e. as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

    Bottom of tea towel apron with fabric applique in house shapes.

    You've seen many of these fabrics on other projects here, like the fabric bowl covers, sore muscle bags, and scented padded hangers. Any scrap fabric would work. Just cut out shapes and have fun creating different sized houses and buildings to fill the space along the hem.

    Tea towel apron houses appliqued on bottom hanging on a mannequin.

    Once the pieces are in place, you can attach them permanently with a simple zigzag stitch. I used white thread but a fun contrasting thread, like a bright blue or green for this fabric, would look good too. Even if you don't have a sewing machine you can hand stitch the edges with a contrasting thread or white in large stitches to give it stability and a cute look.

    Top corners of tea towel folder over.

    Creating the apron couldn't be easier. Just fold down the corners at the top (wrong sides together) and stitch along the fold with 1/4 inch seam. Trim off the excess fabric.

    Neck strap on dish towel apron made from twill tape.

    Add some twill tape at the top to hang around your neck. I used a piece that was 20 inches.

    Folded corners of tea towel and marking where to sew side ties.

    Then add more twill tape on the sides, to tie the apron onto the body. I used 24 inches for each side to tie a bow in the back. You may want to make these longer if you like to tie the apron in the back, and then around to the front.

    Tea towel apron house applique project.

    This dish towel apron is a fun creative project to make. I bet you already have many of these items on hand. Will you make one for yourself or for a friend or family member? How about one with Christmas fabric, for your favorite holiday baker. Wrap up a bottle of wine in the apron to take to your next party as a hostess "thank-you" gift. Lots of possibilities with this one. I hope you try it. 

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    More Tea Towel Projects

    • Tea Towels with Flower Pounding
    • Handprinted Tea Towel with Citrus Fruit
    • Pumpkin Applique Tea Towels
    Tea towel aprons are super simple to make. This one is decorated with whimsical fabric houses appliqued at the bottom for a fun look.
    Print

    Easy Tea Towel Apron With Appliqued Houses

    Learn how to make this easy whimsical apron from a tea towel and fabric scraps.
    Prep Time30 mins
    Active Time1 hr
    Total Time1 hr 30 mins
    Course: DIY Projects
    Yield: 1
    Author: Patti Estep

    Equipment

    • sewing machine
    • scissors
    • iron

    Materials

    • White tea towel or flour sack 28 inches by 28 inches
    • 1 inch twill tape about 3 yards
    • Stitchery tape
    • Scrap fabric

    Instructions

    • Start by cutting out shapes from scrap fabric to fill the bottom of the tea towel using rectangles and triangles to form house shapes.
    • Set them in place with a little stitcher tape and an iron.
    • Then using a simple zigzag stitch sew around and outline each shape.
    • Next, flip the tea towel over and turn down the corners of each side from the top.
    • Stitch along the folded edge with a 1/4 inch seam and trim off the excess fabric.
    • Add about 20 inches of twill tape at the top to create a neck strap.
    • Add more pieces of twill tape on the sides of the towel, to tie the apron onto the body. I used 24 inches for each side to tie a bow in the back.

    Notes

    You can make the ties longer if you want to tie them around the waist.
    You could use a thinner fabric tape for the apron ties.

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    About Patti Estep

    Patti is the creator of Hearth and Vine, a home and garden blog filled with projects to inspire your creative side. She loves crafting, gardening, decorating and entertaining at her home in Pennsylvania. When she is not working on a project at home or searching for treasures at nurseries and thrift stores with her girlfriends, you’ll probably find her with family and friends, at a restaurant, or home party enjoying new and different food adventures.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sue

      March 03, 2022 at 5:23 pm

      I have lots of scraps waiting for a project so this is perfect ::

      many thanks Patti for another good idea

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        March 04, 2022 at 8:16 am

        So glad you like it Sue.

        Reply
    2. Rhonda

      October 13, 2017 at 8:13 am

      What a fantastic idea. I'm going to make several for my church activities. Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        October 13, 2017 at 9:13 am

        Thanks Rhonda. I'm glad you like it!

        Reply
    3. Ann

      October 11, 2017 at 10:12 am

      I love this apron! Who would not love it! Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        October 11, 2017 at 10:47 am

        Thanks Ann. I'm glad you like it!

        Reply
    4. Carole

      October 11, 2017 at 8:47 am

      This is adorable, I have some linens and doilies from my grandma that I hope one day to have turned in to an apron. Love this concept it's whimsy.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        October 11, 2017 at 9:13 am

        Hi Carole,

        I love your idea of using your grandmother's things to make an apron. It would be so special and I would hang it somewhere that you could see it everyday. Probably wouldn't even use it.

        Reply
    5. Jen S.

      October 11, 2017 at 7:44 am

      So simple yet so cute! I love this!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        October 11, 2017 at 7:49 am

        Thanks Jen!

        Reply
    6. Melinda

      October 11, 2017 at 7:39 am

      I am not very crafty...but I bet I could do this! I love aprons:)

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        October 11, 2017 at 7:50 am

        Hi Melinda,

        You can definitely do this one. It's very simple and I had a great time making it. I hope you do too!

        Reply

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