I don't always open FWDs ,but it was from Auntie, and it was about aprons.
I found this FWD from Auntie very sentimental and I was personally interested in the subject matter. I think you'd call my stash of aprons these days a collection because they are increasing in number almost weekly. Kevin will soon need to make me a row of hooks to display and store them all.
My sister, Breanna, is a good apron wearer. We talked briefly on the phone about how wearing an apron makes you feel more productive around the house. It's as close to a work uniform as a mom can get and if it has lovely ruffles or some other gorgeousness it can even make you feel a little June Cleaverish. (put some pearl earrings on and I may even want to vacuum my house). There's something about an apron for sure.
The Email from Auntie had this to say,
The History of 'APRONS'
The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath because she only had a few. It was also because it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and aprons used less material. But along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.
It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.
It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out 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, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids..
And when the weather was cold Grandma wrapped it around her arms..
Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow,
bent over the hot wood stove.
Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.
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, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.
After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.
In the fall, the apron 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 old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.
When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men folk knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.
It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.
Author Unknown.
Here's a picture of my Nanny from her apron wearing days, She not actually wearing an apron in this particular picture, but she is absolutely fabulous and she's holding my mummy.
* * * * * *
Well, who couldn't use another one of those, right?
Now I had dabbled into apron making back in November with this apron for Ava Grace, and I tried to talk her into letting me sew another one for her, but she didn't want me to make her stand and take measurements (she's been doing plenty of standing for fittings on the sweater I'm crocheting for her), so I decided, the person who would most appreciate an apron today is....me.
Oh blissful self indulgence.....at least it only took a 1/2 hour.
I used a curtain valance from Ava's bedroom in our old house and folded it in half. I should've stitched the fold shut on one side, but as much as I like upcycling things, I didn't want to make it irreversible as a curtain valance. So in the in the end all I had to do was sew a ribbon on as a waist tie, and voila! New apron for me!
It is certainly on the frilly, pretty, non-utilitarian side of things, which means it's fun, but I don't know how much furniture dust I want wiped on it or the occasional cleaning of a child's dirty ear. (um... ew.)
Photo is courtesy of my four year old daughter so excuse the fuzziness ( I don't often do much better) and yes, my t-shirt says, "I'm a little bit country" It's true....I am.
I call it my waitress apron cause it reminds me of the crisp, no-nonsense white of a truck stop diner waitress; that straight little rectangle tied simply at the waist over her uniform (except mine is all ribbons and pointel), Still, wearing it makes me want to stick a pencil behind my ear, serve comfort food and continuously refill coffee cups....
I'm a little late to offer this project up for Julia's Sewing Bee, but there it is, my sewing project for the week, all hand stitched of course.
( on that note, my sister (the apron wearer) may have found a sewing class for us to register for this spring, and thanks very much to everyone who commented last Thursday, I found what you had to say very useful. Also, it is looking as though, it is not just my incompetence that caused my frustration with my machine, but is very likely the machine itself. So now I am not so much on the lookout for a sewing class, as much as a new sewing machine all together! )
Comments or Advice anyone?
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