1. Download the pattern at sewmag.co.uk, then print. Cut out and pin against yourself to check the sizing and adjust as necessary. When happy, cut one front piece and mirrored back pieces from plain white cotton. Sew the darts in the front piece before joining the back pieces to each side of the front, leaving a 10cm gap in one side seam. Pin the back shoulders to the opposite front shoulders so the fabric crosses at the back and try on again to check the fit.

2. Cut one front and mirrored back pieces from patterned fabric, stitch the darts and sew the pieces together in the same way as the lining, but without leaving a gap in the side seam. Place the two aprons right sides together and stitch all around the edges, leaving the tops of each shoulder open. Turn the apron out through the gap in the side seam and press well, especially around the neckline and armholes.

3 Fold in 1cm at the top of each front shoulder end. Take the right-hand back shoulder end and slip inside the left-hand front shoulder end. While holding this join with one hand, slip the other hand inside the side seam gap and up the front shoulder section. Grab the join from the inside and pull out through the gap, straighten the join if necessary and sew across the ends with a 1cm seam allowance.

4. Pull the shoulder back out of the apron and repeat for the other side. Topstitch around all the edges of the apron to neaten and close the side seam gap by folding in the raw edges and slip-stitching closed.