How to Tie an Apron

Reviewed by Maria Short

Last Updated: May 22, 2023 References

VIDEO

Tying an apron may seem like a puzzle when you’re doing it for the first time. If your apron has a bib, start by tying the neck loop. Then determine whether you want to tie your apron in the front or the back based on your needs or dress code. It's usually easier to tie it in front unless the strings are too short or they will get in your way. Pretty soon, you’ll be tying your apron without even thinking about it.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Tying the Neck Loop

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The bib is the top part of the apron that covers your chest. You don’t want it too high, because it will strangle you. If you put it too low, it will not effectively keep your shirt clean.
Place the loop over your head. Find the right height for your bib. Tie a knot at the back of the loop to shorten it so your apron hangs where you want it to hang.^{[1]
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Start by placing the tie around your neck, then threading it through the loop. Position the bib where you want it. Then tie the loose end around the loop and onto itself.
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Cut the neck loop and tie a knot if you have a long single neck loop. Start by cutting the neck look in half at the midpoint. Position your bib, then tie the two strings in a knot behind your neck.
- Make sure you can get the apron on and off over your head before you cut the strings.
- Cut the extra, dangling parts of the strings so they don’t look sloppy or interfere with your work.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Tying an Apron Behind Your Back

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Take one tie in each hand and bring them together behind you. Make sure your ties are not overly twisted, though a few twists won’t matter.^{[2]
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Pull the ties together before you start your knot so that your apron is tight. Don’t make it so tight that you can’t breathe or you feel like you’re cutting off circulation.^{[3]
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Research source} Tie the strings in a shoelace knot or a half-shoelace knot.
Pull on your apron lightly from the top and the bottom. You don’t want a knot that’s going to fall out while you’re working! If it does fall out, redo it until it doesn’t.
Many people struggle with tying behind their own backs. To practice, take your apron off and lay it on a table in front of you. Take one tie in each hand, close your eyes, and practice tying them until it becomes easier.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Tying an Apron In Front

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Test to see if the apron falls above or below your knees. Put on your neck loop and tie it as you plan to wear it. If you have a half apron, hold it at your waist where you plan to wear it. Look in a mirror and see if your apron hangs below your knees.
- If your apron hangs below your knees, you can hem it with some scissors and a sewing machine or hemming tape.^{[4]
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- If you don’t want to sew or you don’t have time, just grab the apron at the hips and fold a section up. Hold this in place while you tie and you have shortened your apron.
Take one tie in each hand. Pass them behind your back, switching hands as you do so, and bring them to the front again.^{[5]
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Pull the ties tight before you tie, but not so tight that you can’t breathe.^{[6]
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Research source} You can use a shoelace knot, a slip knot, or even a half-hitch knot.^{[7]
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Tug on your apron gently from both the top and the bottom. If your knot falls out, redo the process with tighter ties or a different kind of knot.

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Tips

If you need to tie an apron behind you urgently and you can’t do it, turn the apron around. Tie it in front, then twist it on your body so the knot is behind you. If your apron has a neck loop, remove this before you turn the apron.

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If you are wearing your apron for a job, you may need to re-tie it in the middle of a shift, so practice tying it a few times at home so you won’t struggle with it at work.

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