If you spend any amount of time in a woodworking workshop you'll likely leave with sawdust filling your pockets. I have had many shop aprons in the past, but none of them fit me well and were to complex for my liking. I decided to make my own custom woodworking apron using waterproof canvas, 1" webbing, leather, zippers, and some buckles. Hopefully you'll learn a little about sewing in zippers, how to create a sewing template, how to sew bias tape, and more basic sewing tips for this video. Sewing leather is new to me and incorporating a small amount of leather in this project was fun!

Tools Used: (affiliate links)

• Self Healing Cutting Matt & Rotary Cutter: https://amzn.to/2MYhAlv

• Singer Heavy Duty Sewing Machine: https://amzn.to/2MYhAlv

• Scissors

• Flexible Tape Measure

Materials Used:

• 1" Webbing: https://amzn.to/2ODyWEk

• Bias Tape: https://amzn.to/2ODyWEk

• Wash Away Tape: https://amzn.to/2ODyWEk

• Zipper: https://amzn.to/2ODyWEk

• Tension Lock: https://amzn.to/2ODyWEk

• Buckle: https://amzn.to/2ODyWEk

• Heavy Duty Thread: https://amzn.to/2ODyWEk

• Fabric: https://amzn.to/2ODyWEk

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Step 1: Create a Template

I used a roll of craft paper to make myself a template. Use a tape measure to see how long you want your apron. I went with 26" which felt right to me (5' 10" 150lbs). The width of the apron should be several inches wider than your waist so that it wraps around you a little bit. I ended up with around 24" wide. Lastly make sure the curved section ends at your waist line. We will add straps here later and thats important.

Fold your paper in half and draw once side of the apron. When you cut the template with it folded you create symmetrical sides.

You can hold the template up to your body to make sure it fits.

I also created templates for my pockets.

Step 2: Cut Your Material Out

You can again fold the material and cut out your template so that its symmetrical.

I used a Canvas material with a waterproof PU coating on the back.

Step 3: Sew on Bias Tape

Sew on the bias tape on the edges of the pockets that will be exposed later.

Bias tape covers up the raw edge of the fabric and makes it look much nicer.

Step 4: Attach Pockets

Used double sided (wash away) tape to secure the pocket pieces in place.

Sew a straight stitch across the middle and sides of the pockets.

Sew a line done the center of each big pocket to create two smaller ones. I choose to sew 3 lines of stitching down the center as a decorative touch.

Step 5: Sew on a ZIpper

This step is optional, but the zipper will allow you to easily empty the pockets of saw dust.

Sew one half of the zipper to the pockets and one half to the body of the apron.

Add your zipper tab and close the zipper.

Sew over the ends of the zipper to close the pocket and keep the zipper tab from coming off.

Step 6: Leg Split and Bias Tape

Cut a small slit at the bottom of the apron to allow the apron to move with your legs.

Add bias tape around all the edges of the apron to finish it off.

Step 7: Add Straps

Add about 12" to your waist measurement and cut a piece of 1" webbing to that length. Split that webbing in half and sew one end under the bottom pocket and to the edge of the apron.

Use a 6" piece of webbing to create a loop for the buckle tensioner and sew it in place on top of the last webbing.

Sew two 48" pieces of 1" webbing to each top corner of the apron.

Add the buckle to the waist strap and feed the loose ends of the tops straps into the opposite side's tensioner.

Lastly I added a Leather Flap over the top straps to cover them and provide a little protection to the top of the apron.