DIY Apron with secret pocket for your phone

When I was killing some time going through sites on the internet , I came across this Apron  from Brit + Co. I thought it was an awesome idea and decided to recreate the apron with my personal touches. I was thinking and researching about ideas to replace the ziploc bag for pocket with something else. I thought using Iron-on vinyl will be a great replacement ,then many reviews said it is coming off after washing and not withstanding for long time, etc etc. Then I went to search for laminated fabrics in JoAnn, they were out of stock. So, Finally I thought why not use clear vinyl for the pocket.However, it can't be machine washed but I thought atleast it will last longer than the other stuffs mentioned above. Let's see how.

Material Required :

Printed cotton - one yard 

Solid cotton - 2 fat quarters

Clear vinyl for pocket

Matching thread
Sewing machine
Fabric scissors
Marking chalk
Straight pins
Kraft paper for pattern(optional)
Ruler and pencil
Scissors
Iron

Step 1: Cut the fabric pieces according to the measurements below.

With center fold, cut one piece for top part of the apron following the measurement as shown in the picture.  

Bottom part - 36" X 20"

Center binding part - 3"X 60"

Neck straps - 2" X 20"

Pocket - 6" X 11"

Vinyl - 5" X 18"

Step 2: Take the bottom part of the fabric 36" X 20".Fold and stitch the sides of the bottom part. I made this 36" wide because I wanted 11 pleats plus half an inch on each side .The final measurement is 24" and I added 12" extra . This extra inches totally depends on how many pleats you want to add. I decided to add one pleat every two inch so I went with the 36". Mark the position of the pleats. Again I went with one inch pleat but you can make  smaller or larger pleats but mark sure to do the markings accordingly. 

Step 3: To make the pleat, join the two marked point and pin it. Repeat the same until the whole part is pleated and make a stitch to secure it. Fold and stitch the bottom hem to complete the bottom part.

Step 4: Take the clear vinyl and plan the place where the pocket has to go. Mark the place of the buttonhole. This buttonhole is for your headphones to go from the secret pocket to the outside. Place the clear vinyl and stitch the buttonhole. Also secure the top part of the vinyl with the stitch. I cut the vinyl pocket  as single long 18" piece but you can make it as two pieces too.

Step 5: Take the other part of the vinyl and the 6"X11" pocket piece. Wrap and fold the fabric on the edge and make a stitch to secure the fabric with the vinyl. You will have half an inch of extra fabric on the sides. Now fold the vinyl to form a pocket. Wrap the extra under the vinyl covering the two layers of the vinyl on all the three sides and stitch to complete the pocket. I made the pocket big because I don't want the headphone wire to bend tight to make its way out the buttonhole. 

Step 6 : Fold and Iron the center binding piece around 3/4 inch on either side. Sandwich the bottom part between two binding pieces and make a stitch. Then make a top stitch to secure them .

Step 7:  Fold ,Iron and stitch the side seams of the top part.Finish the neck straps as shown in How to sew an Apron with gathered bottom. Position and pin them at the place when you fold and iron the top seam of the top part. Stitch to complete the top seam and fold the neck straps and make couple of  stitches in the front to secure it. Here I used zigzag stitch for decorative touch but a normal stitch can also be used. These neck straps can also be attached by using the facing strip which is discussed in detail in the gathered bottom apron post.

Step 8: Now pin the top part to the center binding and make top stitch to complete. Stitch the remaining center straps with top stitch to complete the apron. You can also join the top and bottom part first and then attach the binding as shown here or do it this way. Your apron is now complete. 

Hope you like this apron tutorial.Let me know if you have any doubts. The vinyl part is used for extra protection for the phone to prevent it from spills while cooking but if you feel you just need a place to keep your phone while cooking and think that just the pocket at the back itself protects your phone .Go ahead and skip the vinyl part and make the pocket as usual with a buttonhole for the headphones. If you have a friend who looks cooking and music so much ,then this is something perfect to make for them . Holiday season is nearing ,make a plan for this apron and surprise your friend.I am sure he or she will love this apron with the secret pocket.