First we will prepare the fabric for the top front of the apron. Cut a piece of denim, twill, or lightweight canvas (we are using denim) to 27 inches wide by 18 inches high.

Fold the fabric widthwise (bring the short ends together). Measure and mark in 7 inches from the top corner of the raw edge on the top edge of the fabric. Then, measure and mark down 11 inches from the top corner of the raw edge along the side.

Draw a curved line between the two marks you just made.

Cut through both layers of fabric along the line.

Lay the fabric flat with the right side up. Create paper templates of the designs by printing them at full size using embroidery software. If you don't have embroidery software, you can cut a piece of paper the shape and dimensions of the design to help with placement and centering.

Place the template on the fabric and center it from side to side by measuring in between the two sides and dividing by two. Also, we are placing the design about 3 1/2 inches from the top edge of the fabric to the top edge of the design. Using an air-erase pen (or other marking tool), poke a hole in the center of the template and mark the fabric. Also, mark the horizontal and vertical axis points.

Remove the template and draw lines to connect the marks -these lines will be used for hooping. We extended the vertical axis line down to the bottom edge of the fabric to help us place the border designs. Poke a hole in the center of the first border design template. Then align the bottom edge of the design with the vertical line about 2 inches from the bottom edge of the fabric. Mark the horizontal axis points.

Remove the template and draw a line connecting the horizontal axis points - extend the line all the way across the width of the fabric. Align the first template back on the fabric. Then, align the center points of the remaining templates with the horizontal line. We spaced the designs about a 1/2 inch apart from one another. Mark the vertical axis points, remove the templates, and draw lines connecting the marks.

Spray a piece of medium weight cutaway stabilizer with temporary adhesive and smooth the fabric on top. Hoop the fabric and stabilizer together by aligning the marks on the hoop with the lines on the fabric. Attach the hoop to the machine and load the design. Move the hoop so that the needle is directly over the center point on the fabric. Embroider the design. 

After the design has finished, trim away the excess stabilizer on the backside of the embroidery. Repeat the hooping and embroidering process for each design.

To prepare the fabric for the top back of the apron, lay the embroidered front panel on top of the denim fabric, trace the shape, and cut it out.

To prepare the straps, cut two pieces of the denim 36 inches long by 3 inches wide (for side straps). Cut one piece to 30 inches long by 3 inches wide (for top strap). Cut one more piece 4 inches long by 3 inches wide (for top loop).

For the three long straps, fold one short end in a 1/2 inch to the wrong side and press with an iron. For all the straps and the loop, fold the long sides in a 1/4 inch and press.

Bring the folded edges together and press.

Sew a 1/8 inch seam along each side and end of each strap.

Now it is time to assemble the apron! Lay the embroidered top front panel right side up. Then, insert the small strap (4 inches long) through the two D-rings and fold the strap into a loop. Place the loop at the top left corner about a 1/2 inch from the left edge of the fabric. 

Align the raw ends of the loop with the top edge of the fabric and pin in place (the rings will be facing in towards the center of the front panel). Align the raw end of the long top strap (30 inches long) with the top edge of the fabric at the top right corner about a 1/2 inch from the right edge of the fabric and pin in place. Then, align the raw ends of the side straps (each 36 inches long) with the side edges of the fabric about a 1/2 inch from the bottoms of the side curves. Pin in place. Also, pin the straps in place in the center of the front panel to ensure that they are not sewn over in the next step.

Align the top back fabric on top of the front panel and the straps with the right sides together and pin in place. Sew a 1/2 inch seam along the sides and top only - leave the bottom open for turning. You may sew back and forth over the ends of the straps to strengthen the seam.

So the fabric will turn properly, cut a slit in the seam allowance about every 1/2 inch along the curved edges.

Turn the top portion right side out and press the seams. Also, turn the open bottom edges in a 1/2 inch and press.

Cut a 26 inch length of Velcro.  Align the bottom edges of the top section of the apron together, place the loop side of the strip of Velcro along the bottom edge and pin in place. 

Top stitch a 1/2 inch seam along the top and sides of the apron and a 1/8 inch seam around the entire outer edge of the Velcro (this will also stitch the bottom opening closed).

To prepare the bottom towel portion of the apron, cut a piece of terry cloth to 27 inches wide by 30 inches high. Fold the fabric lengthwise (align the short ends together), pin in place, and sew a 1/2 inch seam along the bottom, top, and one of the sides - leave one side open for turning.

Turn the towel right side out and press the seams. Next, turn the open side in a 1/2 inch, press, and pin in place. Then, align the hook side of the Velcro strip with one of the long sides of the towel and pin in place. Sew a 1/4 inch seam along the sides and bottom - sew a 1/8 inch seam around the entire outer edge of the Velcro strip.

Attach the bottom towel portion to the top of the apron by aligning the Velcro together and pressing in place. To attach the adjustable top strap, thread the end of the long top strap through the D-rings.

Then, thread the strap back through the first loop and pull tight.

You now have an apron that's as stylish as it is practical!