Pattern and Instructions: Artist Apron Dress
UPDATE 5/2: Hi patrons! I'm sorry to report that we found a few minor errors in the instructions and patterns. We have now updated the files; please read below for details on the changes:
1. Instructions: the Finished Measurement chart for sizes 2-20 accidentally reflected the unwrapped garment measurement. We have now updated it to reflect the measurement when worn as snugly as possible. Only the 2-20 chart has changed.
2. Tiled Files: there were some errors in the tiling numbers which have now been corrected. You may wish to reprint for ease of tiling.
Apologies for these errors and thank you for your patience as we corrected them today!
xo, Gertie
Meet the Artist Apron Dress! For this design, I was envisioning something a fabulous lady artist in the ’50s might wear—but of course, I wanted it to be super versatile, too. Not only can you make a lovely pinafore-style dress for layering, you can also sew the sweetest wrap sundress ever.
We’ve given you lots of options to make this your own: two lengths, a bib pocket, two different strap styles, and two different pocket styles.
Make a short version to wear over the Audrey Cigarette Pants and a Barbie Top, or make the full-length version to wear as a pinafore dress over a blouse. We had so much fun creating a carpenter version in waxed cotton, complete with a bib pocket and divided pockets on the skirt that will fit all your tools and paint brushes. Feeling a little flirtier? Make the sundress version and show some skin! Add the optional ruffle to the skirt for a summery pastoral look. (Check out our ruffle guide in the instructions to learn exactly how much fabric you need!)
Check out our video for the #ArtistApronDress in the next post!
xoxo,
Gertie
P.S. As a reminder, please do not share these photos or patterns to other social media sites so that we can keep creating exclusive new content for you!
Comments (131)
Hello! I have a fun print that would be perfect for a sundress, but it's 20% stretch weftwise. Would it be doable to make this using that fabric? Any words of wisdom for a confident beginner sewist to attempt that? Thank you! Edit: For anyone else who's new here, I've just discovered that the third Fit Clinic video is all about subbing different fabrics into patterns. I found that super helpful!
I have been a fan of Gertie’s ever since the start of the pandemic but this is the pattern that I got on patreon just to try and I can say 100% Gertie did not disappoint! Instead of a circle skirt I used gathered picnic skirt tutorial on YouTube due to lack of fabric but it came out just lovely 💕
Oh My Goodness!!!! I have been looking everywhere for a full apron/apron dress, and this is absolutely perfect
Would this be a dress a beginner could make? I just love the white and blue sundress!
Could the back pieces be omitted to make an apron that isn’t a full skirt? Love this pattern!
Did you try it without the back? I just joined and love the idea of it as an apron.
Hannah! You got this. You can do zips and buttons. I have questioned myself in every thing I ever did, i.e. financial advisor, but I never thought that I couldn't sew anything! Or bake anything, for that matter! You can do it!
I've been building up the courage to make a dress, but keep getting scared of the fitting, zips and buttons involved! I think this might be my perfect first dress pattern, thank you!
Love this design and I need an art apron. I'm cutting right now. I always use a projector these days. I noticed on the AO version there are some pieces that are cut across 2 pages. Does anyone have a trick for making this work with the projector? Maybe this one isn't projector friendly?
You can use a program called PDF Stitcher to combine the AO pages. It was developed by a member of the Projectors for Sewing facebook group and you can get more info about it there. You can find the program at https://www.pdfstitcher.org/
The top edges of all the bodice pieces and the outside sides (unnotched) of the skirt need to be reinforced with stay tape/strips of interfacing, as per the video. This would definitely be helpful in the instructions!
Is there any clarity on which pieces should be interfaced? the instructions simply say "some pieces need interfacing" - but none of the pattern pieces say anything about it. the "Pattern Pieces" part of the instructions only mention fabric and lining... so.. nothing needs to be interfaced?
is it possible that nothing changed with the update of the finished chart measurements?
As much as I was hoping for overalls, this is WAY better!
This is classic a Clare McCardell style dress! So happy!
I'm soooo happy!!! I've been dreaming of a charm pattern wrap dress 😍
I am getting this error when I go to download it :( :{"errors":[{"code":902,"code_name":"AttachmentNotFound","detail":"Attachment with id 10646038 was not found.","id":"53459528-cbcc-5fed-a5c2-922fe1aa5bc0","status":"404","title":"Attachment was not found."}]}
Hi Ashley! You may have been trying to download as I was updating the files ;) please let me know if you are still having issues.
This is an awesome pattern! So I'm normally a size 6-8, should i size down to a 2-4 for a sundress? 🤔
I did not size down, just wrapped it as snugly as possible. :)
Love this + it's my birth month. Feels like a birthday present for me! Know which fabric to make it in first????
absolutely love this
The finished measurements for 2-20 have way more ease in bust and waist than the finished measurements for 18-34. Something’s not right.
Hi! Sorry about that--there was some confusion when setting the charts and those measurements on the 2-20 are for the garment unwrapped! We will update today. There is only .5 inches of ease in the waist when wrapped at its tightest, but it's super adjustable up to 4-7" inches more.
So cute! So much more than I expected. I expected an apron. Not an apron dress in the cutest spring/summer dress design😍
This is the project that got me to sign up! Going on Mat leave soon so I can finally make more time to sew- this will be perfect as a daily dress !
This is such a beautiful pattern. I just finished putting together the tiled 2-20. There are a lot of mistakes that made it difficult to put together. The errors start with page 35 and are mostly on the pages that connect to it. There are several other places where I had to choose which part of the pattern piece to connect. These are in addition to the size key which has been pointed out already.
Hi Dawn! So sorry to hear that--we will go over today and update with any corrections. Apologies for the trouble you had!
I love it! I think I'll make a few to wear to work.
I’ve been waiting so long for something like this 😍😍😍😍😍
Obsessed!!!!!
*swoon*thud*
😂🤣
Oh, this is the dress that I have been waiting for for Summer. As a passionate gardener, this is going to be wonderful to work in (with sunscreen of course!!!)
This is cool! It's amazing how just a change of colour/pattern of fabric changes the dress completely! Might even make one for my current home makeover! Thanks Girls!!
absolutely love this dress
for the 2-20 tiled, I think the key is wrong (it is the key for the 18-34). Just confirming that the pattern is indeed correct, though.
It is correct! We are updating the key today, but no need to reprint.
It reminds me of Amy’s apron she wore while painting in the newest Little Women movie. I love it!
this was exactly my first thought!
Gonna need like, 5 of these beauties. The house one, the navy satin performing one with the sheer body suit beneath - and embellishments, the everyday chambre version, the professional pinstripe and the unexpected one in red or Ankara.
This is one hundred billion types of awesome!!!!!!
I'm tinkled pink! Thanks Gertie.
I LOVE this!!
LOVE this pattern!!
I’m in love with this one!!!
Thank you for both the halter and shoulder strap option! Halters hurt my neck so I'm so excited to have the cross over straps!
I’m a metalsmith, and I’ve been looking for a cute apron to make for work! This is perfection!!! More exclamation marks because I’m so excited!!!
I’m so excited about this! 😍😍😍
Oh my goodness I have been wanting to make a cute apron for a while. I’m really excited. To try this
absolutely love this!!!
This is awesome. I think the 2-20 is on the 18-34 pattern piece.
indeed, i see some mixed up info on the tiled 2-20 file... also on the AO file, the bib pocket lines are missing for some sizes, like 8. i was about to print it but stopped. i'm sure it will be all fixed soon!
HOLY THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED!!!!!
I am absolutely in love with this! And for the record I would 100% consider this a staple wardrobe piece!!! A+ 10/10 will be making myself one for every holiday
This is so perfect for my job/business. Can hardly wait.
So cute!! For the straight up sun dress version, does the back overlap enough that you don’t need some kind of closure?
I made a mock up of the swirl dress from the jiffy book and I was really surprised how good the coverage was on a back wrap dress even when bending over! You could probably even add a few discreet snaps if you’re worries though:)
Oh this is gorgeous! Not just the dress, but the setting too. Is that Gerties new house? I can see needing a new apron dress for every new DIY project. So gorgeous!
Adorable!!!!
Are the finished garment measurements for the size 2-20 correct? The waist sizes look pretty comparable to the 18-34 sizes. Just trying to figure out which lines to cut to for my differing proportions from bust to waist.
Hi! Sorry about that--there was some confusion when setting the charts and those measurements on the 2-20 are for the garment unwrapped! We will update today. There is only .5 inches of ease in the waist when wrapped at its tightest, but it's super adjustable up to 4-7" inches more.
LOVE this! I have fabric that is begging to be the sundress. If you are adding the ruffle, would you recommend cutting the long skirt 3 inches shorter?
Thanks for your question. We did not cut the dress shorter, as we preferred more of a tea length with the ruffle version, but if you want it shorter than that you can go ahead and remove some length.
Ahhh this is gorgeous!!!
It looks great, but I think there might be an error in the instructions- the finished waist measurement don’t look right to me.
The pattern notes there is a range in the bust and waist finished measurements since you can wrap tighter or looser.
It's perfect. I teach kids in a wood workshop.
As always, better than I could have ever imagined!
So I was about to sacrifice some old pants to decorate in as mine are ripped beyond repair and along comes this stunning dress with paintbrush pockets and a summer dress for date night afterwards. Honestly I love that gertie makes even painting the fence stylish
Omg this was so what I was hoping for! Thank you 🥰🥰🥰
Awwwww this is sooo good! Susie looks absolutely gorgeous in the sweet floral sundress and omg the waxed canvas is lady carpenter goals!
Oh this is so cute!! I’m going to need to make this as soon as possible
Wow, I looove it!
I love how it dips down in the back!
This is sooo cute!!!
Love this!!!
Holy crap I NEED IT!!!! So gorgeous!!
I garden a lot. This is what I needed!
You know, when people guessed an apron for this month, I wasn't excited. I thought I might skip this month if it was an apron. Well, I'm excited now! Already making plans to make this!
Oh my goodness I love this apron dress!!!!
I loooove this pattern! So versatile!
Yay! It's so pretty.
I love this I don't do dresses normally but the is a must . Thank you gertie you spoil us xx
Omg I love this so much!!
Yes!!!🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Absolutely love this!!!
His is soooo adorbs!!!
Cute! Love it!!
This is glorious!!!!!!!!
I work on sets as a makeup artist and this is going to be so perfect!!!!!
This is exactly the kind of dress I've been wanting to make, couldn't be bothered to draft it so this has literally made my day seeing this!
This is apron perfection !!
I love it!!!!
I might love it more than all the other things. <3
That's perfect! Love this 😍
So excited. I’m really loving the pinafore thing this year!
I looooooove it!!! ♥️😍♥️
I love this! I can not wait to make it :)
Love it so much!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Oh my god! I need to send this straight to the printer! Love love love!
I love this so much! My wardrobe needs sundresses and I've been wanting a good apron!
Love this so much! Already have the perfect fabric too, can't wait to make it.
Love it! You’re amazing Gertie
What a fantastic Sunday morning surprise. I just love it. Thank you so much!
OBSESSED!!! This is PERFECT for my job! I cannot wait to make this!
Absolutely love it! And the tone and mood of each style within it!!!
This is too cute and honestly perfect for when I am sewing/crafting.
Love this. So excited to make this up.
I love this!
These are so gorgeous! And SO well-timed haha. I was just looking for an apron, but wasn’t finding any colors or styles I liked. Now I can just make it 🎉
I love this. I'm going to have to make several versions in all the lengths xxx
Gertie has outdone herself. This is AMAZING 💗
Brilliant! Now I can pick the eggs from my chicken coop in style ❤🤣 And then I can get the kids from school too. Honestly, I'm very excited about this. 🥳
I work as a theatrical costume designer and have a small sewing business. I’m about to make a MILLION of these!!!
So freaking cute! I want my front pocket to be cat shaped! 😻😻
So cute! I love it
Oh, I LOVE this ♥️ so cute and practical!
As someone who loves pinafores, I'm seriously gagging with this one. I need like a whole progress pride flag worth of them.
Ohhh love the versatility of this
Gorgeous! So versatile!!!
Exactly what I’ve been needing!!!
Ok I am living for the short one it's so cute!!!!!!
As an artist I am OBSESSED!!
Obsessed, obsessed, obsessed! 😍😍😍
GORGEOUS!!!!!!
Woohoo!! Excited for this one!
I cannot wait to make this!!!
Love this!!!!
cuuuute! i looove this! i want to make an alice version.
I love this! ❤️