Step 1 Measure and mark

Lay the dish towel flat. On one short side, measure 4 inches (10 cm) in from each corner; this will be the top of the apron. Mark with an ink dot or a pin. From the same corner, measure 8 inches (20 cm) down on each long side; mark.

Step 2 Cut basic apron shape

Cut a straight line across each corner from the 4-inch (10 cm) mark down to the 8-inch (20 cm) mark. A quilter’s cutting mat, ruler, and rotary cutter are very handy for this.

Step 3 Pin apron ties

Measure and cut 80 inches (203 cm) of extra wide double-fold bias tape. Find the center of the bias tape by folding it in half; measure 8 inches (20 cm) in both directions from your center mark and mark with a straight pin. These two points will be where the bias tape meets the top of the dish towel. Tuck the raw edge of the towel inside the bias tape and pin at the marks. Continue pinning and tucking the cut towel edge inside the bias tape until you reach the waist of the apron, making sure the bias tape fully encloses the raw edge. You will have 22-inch (56 cm) ties and a 16-inch (40 cm) neck opening.

Step 4 Sew apron

Fold the end of the bias tape inside itself and pin to secure for stitching. Beginning at one upper corner of the apron, sew the bias tape to the towel and continue down to the end of one tie, checking to be sure that you are catching all the layers in the stitching. When you reach the end of one tie, back-stitch and cut the thread and then stitch the other direction from where you began to the end of the second tie to complete the apron.

Step 5 Add pockets (optional) This step will add about 15 minutes of time to your project. 

Fold bottom of apron up 4 inches (10 cm) and pin to itself along the side edges. Measure width of pocket and divide by 3, mark pocket dividers with pins. They should be about 5 inches (12.5 cm) wide for 3 pockets. Stitch sides and dividers to form the pockets