Turn Dish Towels into a No Sew Apron

Aprons are one of my favorite DIY projects. They’re both attractive and useful, and they make thoughtful gifts for nearly any occasion—Mother’s Day, birthdays, housewarmings, or just because. Traditional apron sewing involves measuring, cutting and stitching, which can be time consuming and a little tedious. That’s why I love this no-sew dish towel apron method: it takes about five minutes, requires no sewing machine, and yields a charming, practical apron with very little effort.

How to Make a Dish Towel DIY Apron

This tutorial is as simple and fast as it gets. Because there’s no sewing involved, it’s perfect for anyone who doesn’t sew or for making multiple aprons quickly for gifts or events. The technique is versatile: tea towels are ideal because they come pre-finished in a size that works well for an apron, but you can also use old pillowcases, placemats, larger napkins, table runners, or other cotton or linen pieces in the right dimensions. The key is to use an absorbent, durable fabric that will hold up to household use and washing.

I recommend choosing towels or fabrics that tolerate regular machine washing if you expect to use the apron frequently. Decorative towels with tassels or delicate trim can still work beautifully as aprons, but they may need gentler laundering or air drying to preserve details. For a sturdy, everyday apron, pick cotton or linen towels without loose embellishments.

One of the nicest features of this design is that the ties are removable. When you take them off the grommets, the piece functions as a regular dish towel; add the ties back on whenever you need to protect your clothes. This dual-purpose approach is great for small kitchens or anyone who appreciates items that serve more than one function.

Supplies

• Dish towel (or other cotton/linen fabric of similar size)
• About 1 yard of 1” twill tape or other sturdy ribbon/strap
• Grommet kit (includes grommets and setting tools)
• Scissors
• Hammer (for setting grommets)

Instructions

1. Choose the location for the grommets. Typically these are placed at the top two corners of the towel, about 1–2 inches in from each edge and 1–2 inches down from the top hem. Mark the spots lightly with a pencil or fabric marker.

2. Cut a small hole where each grommet will go. The hole should be just large enough for the grommet center to fit through; follow the grommet kit guidelines for sizing. Be careful not to make the hole too large—start small and enlarge slightly if needed.

3. Set the grommets according to your kit’s instructions. Most kits include a washer and cap that are pressed together and secured with a hammer or setting tool. Make sure the fabric lies flat and the grommet parts are aligned as you seat them so the finish is neat and secure.

4. Cut the twill tape in half so you have two equal lengths—about 1/2 yard each if you started with 1 yard. You can adjust length depending on how long you’d like the neck ties to be; consider longer ties if you plan to knot or tie the apron behind your neck or if you want more adjustability.

5. Feed each end of the twill tape through a grommet from the front to the back, then tie a knot large enough that the tape won’t slip back through the grommet. Trim any excess tape if you want a cleaner look, and seal the ends of synthetic tapes with a light singe from a match or lighter (only if the tape is synthetic and flame-resistant behavior is known).

6. Test the fit by trying the apron on and adjusting the knots or tape length. Because the ties are removable, you can swap them for different color tapes or replace them with leather laces, ribbon, or braided cord to change the look.

Care and Tips

• Remove the ties before washing to avoid tangling or damage in the machine.
• If your towel has decorative edges, consider air drying to preserve trims and prevent shrinkage.
• Use fabric glue around a grommet hole on very thin fabrics for extra reinforcement before setting the grommet.
• Mix and match towels and tapes for coordinated sets—these make lovely, quick gifts when wrapped with a simple ribbon and a handwritten tag.