Apron Strings

"A good mother
gives her
daughter an apron
without
strings."

-Virginia Helweg

What kind of apron strings did your mother give to you?

Grandma's Apron

Grandma's Apron

The principle use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath but, along with that, it served as a holder for removing hot pans from the oven. It was wonderful for drying children's tears and, on occasion, even used for cleaning out their dirty ears. From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven. When company came, Grandma's apron was an ideal hiding place for shy children and when the weather was cold, Grandma wrapped it around her arms to keep herself warm. That big old apron wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove. Chips and kindling-wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron. From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls. In the fall, it was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees. When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that apron could dust in a matter of seconds. When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch and waved her apron and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields for dinner. It will be a long time before anyone invents something that will replace Grandma's apron, in fact, probably nothing ever will.

Author Unknown

Aprons Tell a Story

Aprons tell a story and take us back in time. Although they were out of favor for a time, they are making a comeback as an artsy and creative way for women to express themselves. One of my mentors, Shirley, has taken the time to gather together aprons from the past. Each is created using a different technique or method. How interesting it is to see examples of the variety of styles and techniques she has exhibited in her collection. She shares how aprons take us back to important people, dates, and times. And how they implement imaginative use of patterns, fabrics, and embellishment techniques. Together, they show the artistic and inventive talents of women.

Some of Shirley's aprons displayed use these creative techniques: patchwork, tatting, Norwegian fisherman knitting, Seminole patchwork, smocking, crocheting, huck weaving, lacework, Lummi Indian weaving, pin-tucking, painted fabric, crocheted inserts, polka dot prints, dotted swiss and rick-rack, and hanky aprons.

How many of these needlework methods have you tried your hand at?

A 3 Apron Day!

I nearly forgot! Not only was yesterday 'teacup apron heaven' because of the Terri & Tari aprons, but because of a darling vintage apron that was given to me by the sisters of Elm Street Antiques. Paula and Terri purchased this sweet vintage blue and white apron for me when they were at the Farm Chicks show last week. Isn't it precious? It features tiny blue roses on white with tiny red dots as accent. Chiffon adds a sheer element, creating a perfectly sweet apron to wear or display. Thank you, Paula and Terri! I love it!

Teacup Apron Heaven

I'm in teacup apron heaven! Two new aprons joined my collection yesterday, both with a teacup theme. The first is the beautiful little turquoise and yellow apron that has red trimmed teacups in the accent fabric. A flared flange at the base adds swirl and grace. Ric-rac is carefully stitched and edged to complete the look. I've admired it for a long time at Elm Street Antiques yesterday it simply called my name. It's special to me because it was stitched by Terri and I'll think of her each time I wear it. If that wasn't fun enough, in the evening another friend with the same name, but spelled as Tari, stopped in for a visit. She brought a beautiful little apron that she'd asked her mother to make for me. What a pleasant surprise! A pair of Levi jeans were cut to make an apron front. The pockets have teacup and teapot buttons stitched onto them for accent. The tea-themed print in pink makes a ruffle and tie that is strung through the belt loops. Not seen in the picture is the apron top (making it a full apron) that's crafted in the same print. If you click on the picture, you'll see a larger view. The aprons in the middle of the collage are new ones at the Elm Street shop. Paula and Terri just found them at The Farm Chicks show. I love how they are displayed. What a perfect apron day! May yours be so as well.

Apronology

EllynAnne Geisel is an author and collector who is passionate about aprons. With nostalgia, she explores the history, form, and function of aprons in ways that inspire others. I love this quote of hers from The Apron Book:

"As an apronologist, I've learned that it is this humble domestic icon that ties us to earlier generations. And by designing aprons, sewing them, and tying them on, we're celebrating the spirit of women."

Some of my aprons hang in the sunshine, acting as homemaker flags on a breezy spring day. They bring color and cheer to the yard that is otherwise still somewhat brown with patches of green starting to come alive in the lawn. My aprons are making history in quite unusual ways! I wonder what the neighbors think?

Aprons for Kids

Just sharing a few more apron pictures with you. In my last post I shared adult aprons made by Terry. She also made these darling children's aprons. I love the wide rick-rack and the bias-cut trim at the bottom of each. Aren't they cute? I know they are 'aprons', but I think they would be darling worn as a pinafore over a simple dress as an 'outfit' to wear for a special event. Or can you imagine a room of little girls wearing pastel leotards and cute aprons like this --- dancing in a studio and enjoying the freedom of a child's life? Very sweet! Great job, Terry! You were inspired when you stitched these up --- and now you inspire us!

Autumnal Aprons

The last days of summer are upon us. Where did the season go? Autumn will be here this week, and it's being ushered in with rain and gentle breezes. A few dry leaves were scattered by the wind across the back porch today, making things look even more autumnal as the equinox nears. Although the rain was needed and welcomed, I did worry a little about sisters Paula and Terry today as they conducted their '1st Annual Sale' at Elm Street. I hope rain didn't hamper their celebration. By the way, the aprons shown here were stitched by Terry --- beautifully! I just had to share a picture with blogland, they are so cute!

A Crayon Apron

Did you ever have a crayon apron? They were popular in the 60's as a sweet apron for children. My mother made one for me and one for my sister. I remember how special we felt wearing our very utilitarian, yet very pretty aprons. There was a narrow pocket for each crayon in our coloring set. A larger pocket could hold a notepad, scissors, a roll of Scotch tape, or some paste for gluing. Sister and I would fill our pockets and then spend hours creating art projects or pretending we were teachers in a school. The pretending must have influenced our future choices, as sister and I both grew up to become classroom teachers. The apron shown in these pictures are not of our aprons, but rather of a vintage one I purchased recently. Mom made ours out of a tiny floral print. If there was any embellishment, it would have been embroidery or something done in fabric paints. I was excited, though, to find this vintage children's apron. It's exactly the same pattern as the one Mother made for me, just in different fabrics. This was truly an apron that inspired the imagination!

Ties to the Past

A past issue of Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion (August/September 2007) contains an article that I purchased the magazine for. Called "Ties to the Past" by Darci Smith, it features vintage aprons and tells all about them. Beautifully photographed aprons illustrate Darci's fine points. She says that an apron collector finds that if you listen closely, a vintage apron will tell you stories. In one sentence she encapsulated exactly why I find collecting aprons so interesting! I love to think about the life each apron might have led --- who stitched it, who owned it, when it was worn, and during what time era did it originate. Of course it's impossible to follow the history of each vintage apron found, but through careful examination it is possible to learn quite a bit about its past. According to Ellynanne Giesel, a true apronista extraordinaire, an apron speaks. She says that the spirit of the person who sewed or wore it is imbued in the fabric, within those threads. Each apron has it's story. It's up to the one who becomes the keeper of the apron to discover its history. Examine each stitching technique, date the fabric by using prints and colors to identify time eras, and use trims and buttons to help you date the period in which the apron was made. Like a treasure hunt, you'll be surprised at all the things you can discover about a vintage apron once you start looking for clues. Have fun!

The apron in the picture above is Aunt Cella's and came from Grandmother Iva's apron stash. Full length, it appears to have been 'too special' for Grandmother to wear. Instead it was saved away in a drawer like many of her fine things were. Machine applique adorns the bib and pockets and little tidbits of applique are scattered above the hemline. Features that make this apron unique are the darts used to ease the fabric into the waistline and the pretty style of the pockets that are stitched into the side seams. In soft blue, it has a romantic sense about it with just enough contrast in yellow and pink to make it cheerful.

Great-Aunt Clara, Apronista

Besides having a lovely afternoon tea party with Aunt Cella, I also enjoyed an afternoon spent going through her cedar chest. We looked at old linens, laces, and other textile treasures. Aunt Cella has many beautiful European linens, collected during her years of living on that continent. She also has many wonderful vintage pieces from Grandmother and from Grandmother's sisters. I especially enjoyed looking at all the aprons she has. The aprons in this picture once belonged to Great-Aunt Clara. They are quite old and well-crafted. When Grandmother, who is 104, was born Great-Aunt Clara was already a married woman with three little boys. Great-Aunt Clara adhered a small tag inside each apron that she wrote her name on. I'm not sure if this was so her apron wouldn't get lost or if she worried about a visitor wearing it home from a day of activity at her house. But whatever the reason, I'm glad she added the tag, as it personalizes the apron so much.

Speaking of aprons, Deanna and Erin at The Apronista are conducting their inaugural giveaway for 2008. If you leave a comment on their blog, they will enter you into their drawing for a Vintage Apron from their collection and for an autographed copy of the book "The Apron Book". So hurry! The deadline for commenting so you can be entered in this drawing is Friday, January 11. Please tell the that LaTeaDah from Gracious Hospitality sent you!

Aprons Crisp

Recently I received four aprons that I purchased off of eBay as an ever-growing part of my vintage apron collection. They were in excellent condition. For about $10.00 I received four pristine vintage aprons. It doesn't look like they have ever been worn. One even had the original price tag still on it. They are delicate in appearance, but the fabrics are crisp and stable. After washing and ironing they are as good as new! The fabrics are similar to dotted-swiss, but some are striped rather than dotted. I was happy to add them to my growing collection of vintage aprons and am now researching them so that I can date them and find their place in history.

The labels on all four aprons say The Halle Bros. Co. After doing some research on the Internet, I was able to determine that these aprons were marketed by a series of department stores with the same name that was located in Cleveland, Ohio from 1891 - 1982. An interesting tidbit of information is that it's flagship store building was used in the 1990's as the main location of the fictional Winfred-Louder store on ABC's "The Drew Carey Show". I suspect that Mr. Carey wouldn't have a clue, nor an interest in aprons such as these!

The trims and braids on these aprons are so nice. They are colorful and of exceptional quality. Can you see the little tufts in the white fabric? It's interesting to me that vintage fabrics are frequently plain with unusual or interesting things woven into the fabric, providing variety and interest.

Apron Strings of Love

Photo by: Kitchen Madonna

I have been contacted by Virginia, of the Kitchen Madonna blog, asking if I would help support National Wear an Apron Day. Here's some of what she said in her email to me. . .

An Apron Manifesto or How to Get All Tied up with Apron Strings of Love

"After your funeral, do you think your granddaughter will bury her face in your professional looking briefcase or in your treasured apron? When a woman puts on an apron, it makes no less of a statement than a fine leather briefcase. It announces she is on duty to be receptive to whatever happens in her home and everyone that encompasses. And that is a wider sphere of influence than many would allow."


"An apron is like a uniform that conveys authority and unconditional regard and motherly wisdom all at once. Who said aprons are just about cooking and cleaning? They are also about emotional availability, hospitality, and femininity. They state in clearest terms that to serve is to reign."


"There is an apron renaissance going on out there and much of it is recorded on the Internet. Women everywhere are taking pictures of their aprons and posting them on certain blogs. They are scouring the Internet looking for vintage patterns and materials. They are writing about what being a mother and a housewife means to them. These women aren’t depressed. They don’t need Valium or to secretly drink or to watch a wildly popular television show that is a diabolical inversion of their lives."


"I think a National Wear an Apron Day should be May 14th. . ."



To learn more, please visit Kitchen Madonna for details on this interesting concept.