Bernadette Kelly and Jacqui Edwards from Vintage Vision show you how to make the perfect pinny

The utilitarian pinny is something that we all remember our mothers and grandmothers wearing. Housewives of the 1950s wouldn't be seen without their pinny.

Looking back over advertisements for the home, they always featured a woman in an apron.

Of course, in 'the olden days' women would have to cover their clothes when in the kitchen so as not to spoil them. There were no washing machines with a quick spin cycle, clothes were washed by hand on a Monday (if you believe the song!) so to save work, women used whatever was available including flour sacks and old dresses as 'coveralls'. Over time these adapted,and there are lots of different styles, depending on the era.

This week were going to show you how you can make your own apron. You can recycle a duvet cover or table cloth, or rummage in the remnant section of Vintage Vision.

There's a choice of styles, but we’re going to do a 1950s looking apron with a choice of ‘bib’ or not.

What you will need for this project:

• For the apron: Piece of fabric cut into a rectangle shape measuring approximately 112cm height x approximately 60cm in width at the widest part

• Waistband: Length of fabric measuring 50cm width x 15cm height

• Ties (x 2) : In the same fabric as the waistband, 10cm height x 60cm length

• A smaller square of fabric approximately 60cm square for the ‘bib’ if required.

1. On the top edge of the apron, sew a line approx 0.5 cm from the top on the longest stitch setting on your machine. Sew another line 0.5 cm underneath the first one. Gently pull the cotton gathering the fabric into ruffles until fabric measures approx 45cm. Tie off cotton securely when you have the desired width and don’t forget to reset your stitch length.

2. On the remaining three sides fold over the edge twice. This stops the fabric fraying. Alternatively you can cut out using pinking shears - you can just turn the fabric in once if this is the case. Pin in place and sew around all the edges, turning the corners in neatly.

3. Fold the fabric for the waistband lenghways, printed side in. Sew ends and along the length leaving an opening to allow the apron to be inserted in the centre of the waistband.

4. With right sides together attach the waistband to the apron skirt along one side of the opening. Turn the waistband to the right side. Turn edge under 1cm and either hem or machine in place.

5. To make the bib, fold in and machine all four sides. To make the ties fold in half lengthways right sides together and machine 0.5 cm from the edge. Pull ties through and neaten ends.

6. Attach ties to top of bib. Mark centre of bib with pin. Mark centre of apron with pin. Matching pins together, place apron waistband approx 2cm over bib, pin and machine into place.