Handprint Aprons Gift Idea

Sometimes it seems like the years past faster than the days do, and capturing little handprints are like freezing a moment in time. When my oldest was small, I made an apron with his handprint on it for my dad for Father’s Day.  I still LOVE seeing his tiny little hand on that apron.  ♥ This year it was grandmas’ turn… I love how these Handprint Aprons turned out!

This is an easy and super fun project—the hardest part will be trying to get the handprints in the right places with a minimum of wiggling! I love gifts that the kids can contribute to, and it created some really great family time.

DIY Handprint Aprons

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1.  I added my embellishment first–I thought it would be easier to have it in place, and use it as as guide when I added the handprints. I added a ruffle like THIS at the top and along the bottom of the apron, then stitched on a flower at the top using a coordinating fabric. You can embellish these aprons any way you like–that’s the beauty of it!  I’ve seen darling flowers made out of handprints, with ric rac for the stem.  A friend of mine added a ruffle all the way around the edge of the apron, and it was adorable.

2.  I cut out the names of the moms (Grandma and Gramme), and the names of the kids in the same font–My Own Topher on my Silhouette. I used white flocked heat transfer, which I love for this project, because it has some depth to it. I didn’t iron them on yet–I wanted to wait until after handprints were on. but if you would rather do it the other way around that’s okay too!

When I made the original apron when my son was little, I used the fabric paint (get the bottle with a pointed tip–meant for writing) to write all the text.  It turned out really cute, and it was super easy to do.

3.  I applied the white paint to the hands one at a time, and despite much wiggling, I think they turned out pretty well!  Have a plan for where you want them to go–it might not be perfect, but it will be better than guessing.  Once this paint is on, it’s on! Check the bottle for directions, but mine needed to dry for 24 hours.

4.  Once the handprints were dry, I ironed on the heat transfer names.

Ta-da!  Darling Mother’s Day aprons!!!

More ideas you might like…

Handprint Aprons Gift Idea

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31 Comments

  1. Hi –

    I LOVE the apron! Would you mind telling me where you got it, so I can make one also?

    Thanks so much!
    Maytal

    1. I got it at Michael’s! They had several colors to choose from. I’ve also seen them at JoAnn Fabrics, and I think I’ve seen them at Walmart!

  2. This might be a silly question but is the apron washable or will the paint come off if you wash it? Cute idea!

    1. No, it doesn’t come off when you use fabric paint! The words are iron-on heat transfer that’s also washable. xoxo

  3. Hey, any chance you’d tell me where you got the iron on transfers? These are really cute!

    1. Thank you! I designed them and cut them out out of heat transfer material using my Silhouette Cameo!

  4. How did you make those perfect letters?! I bought the 3 pack aprons and the first one i messed up completely and the other one i still cant get them right. The letters smudge. Help!!

    1. I actually cut them out of heat transfer on my Silhouette, and ironed them on. If I didn’t have one, I might consider just doing monograms. Or…check out your craft and hobby stores–they might have iron on letters!!!! Good luck!!!

  5. Any chance you’d be interested in making these (minus the handprints) and selling them? I’m not crafty and am a working mom of 3, but think these would make great Christmas gifts!

    1. I’m so sorry–I wish I could say yes, but I’m swamped as it is. You’re right–they would make perfect Christmas gifts!!!

  6. Where did you find the ribbon. If it’s just regular ribbon how did you get it to look like that? Thanks!

    1. It’s actually not ribbon, it’s strips of fabric that I sewed on as a ruffle. It’s SUPER easy, and there’s a link in the post to how I did it on another project. xoxo

    1. It’s in the directions, where it says “I added a ruffle like “THIS”. Click on “THIS”…it’s a link to the post where I talk about the ruffle. Here’s a link to how I did the flower: https://oldsaltfarm.com/2010/07/rolled-fabric-flower-tutorial.html

      Let me know if you have any other questions!!!

  7. I love this. So cute. My kids would love making it and I’m sure Grandma would love it too. Hope you don’t mind if I put this link up on my blog for my Mother’s Day gift ideas round up.

  8. how old was your son when you first did it? Mine just turned 4 months and we failed. He grabbed the apron as I was taking his hand off and I turned h blue lol. Is white the best color for this? How did you get a visible hand print? Plz any suggest are much appreciated such a wonderful idea!

    Hannah

    1. You’re right, it is tricky with little babies! When my babies are really little, I like to use footprints, instead of handprints. It’s much easier to control their little foot–both getting the paint on, and enough of it, plus actually placing the foot down and being able to press firmly. If you’re not set on handprints, footprints are darling too!

      Or, I’ve even done it when they’re asleep before!

      Also, if they are asleep or awake, wait until you have someone to help you. When you’re trying to manage it all on your own, it can be really tricky to get the paint on, press their hand down, keep it straight, and then take it off again.

      Hope this helps–good luck!!! xoxo

  9. How did you get the paint to show so brightly? Did you use special fabric paint for the hand prints to show up on the black material?

    1. I used regular white fabric paint, but I made sure to cover each hand really well before placing on the apron, and I pressed their hand down before lifting it up. It worked! Good luck!! xoxo

    1. Just look for a paint that’s certified non-toxic–it will have a AP Certified Non-Toxic label on the bottle. A couple brands to check out are Tulip and Plaid Folk Art Fabric Paint.

  10. I clicked on the vinegar for weed killing off Pinterest and brought me but their is nothing on your page that I could find about….do you have any clue or where I might find it? Thanks for your response. Percides

    1. Hi, Percides! I’m so sorry, I don’t know anything about it, or why it brought you to my page! So sorry–I hope you find it!! xoxo

  11. WHAt size font would you use on the apron for the kids names if you had to squeeze 6 kids on there laid out how you laid them. Maybe three on top and 3 on bottom?

  12. We did little feet instead of hands :) Thank you for the wonderful idea! Hands where impossible to manage due to wiggling :)

  13. What white paint did you use? I saw in one comment you gave two suggestions, but I would like to know what you used because I’d be using white as well and have never used fabric paint before. Thank you!

    1. Hi, Nancy! I think the one I used was by Plaid. I’ve used several brands, and been happy with all of them. Just look for a paint that’s certified non-toxic–it will have a AP Certified Non-Toxic label on the bottle.

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