Photos: two of my weekend creations.
It all started when Nolie (one of my characters) stepped out of her garden and stood still so I could describe her. She was wearing brown shoes, ankle socks, a long, shapeless dress, and one of those old-fashioned long aprons that you slip over your head--they're usually made in a tiny floral pattern and trimmed in matching bias tape or fabric.
But I couldn't figure out what to call those types of apron, so before beginning a Google search, I posed the question on Facebook.
Before I knew it, I had lots of facebook friends chiming in. Was it a smock apron? No, those usually close in the front. A pinafore? No, those tie with a bow. A bib apron? No, that's any apron with a bib.
The best term I could come up with was an over-the-head apron, but while I was finding that bit of description, I was becoming fascinated by aprons. Seems they're coming back in style--we women left them behind when we entered the work force, and few people wear them any more, though antique or "vintage" aprons are in demand, as are vintage patterns for aprons.
I used to sew a LOT--used to make my clothes until it became cheaper to buy them than to sew them (around here, anyway--we have a lot of discount stores). Anyway, before I knew it I had ordered two apron patterns, and on Friday night I found myself at the fabric store, excited by the idea of sewing again. That night I made one short apron, and on Saturday I made two more. I was thinking they'd make great gifts . . .
I've also ordered books on aprons from Amazon and can't wait to look through them. There's something about an apron that's vaguely political. In fact, one facebook friend said her inner feminist wouldn't let her wear an apron, and I understand that--no one wants to be thought of as the "little woman" who does nothing but wear nice dresses and stay around the house all day. Even stay at home moms today do a lot more than that!
But to me, an apron is simply a way of protecting my clothes on those rare occasions when I bake or cook something. When you're sifting flour and mixing up ingredients, you can easily be spattered, so an apron might come in handy . . .
Plus, I found fabric in a cupcake pattern--several bolts, in fact, but I only bought one. :-) (Such restraint!) And the aprons I made this past weekend were entirely from fabric I had in my scrap bin. That's the good thing about an apron. It doesn't take a lot to make something nice.
Do you wear an apron? Did your mother? Would you wear one now?
~~Angie
Actually I wear one of my husband's old t-shirts over my clothes. Since an apron doesn't entirely cover my shirt, invariably that little batter splash or grease spatter finds its way to my good clothes.
ReplyDeletemy grandmother Perry, who lived in Kentucky, still made aprons from flowered feed sacks when I was a young girl. And she said "hain't" (As in I hain't seen them kids around here.) rather than my more-sophisticated Michigan grandmother's "ain't."
ReplyDeleteI do wear aprons. I have a small collection of them. Most of them are vintage. I have very little feminist in me. Something in me longs for simpler times of farm kitchens, fresh-baked pies, wash on the line, and aprons.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite apron belonged to my grandma. It's a 30's style, over the head, but it ties, too.
A bolt? I see one of Angie's "obsessions" coming on. :-) Watch out book club; watch out Glen Eyrie. You'll all be donning matching cupcake aprons soon. I wonder how many aprons one can get from a blot of fabric. Angie, please be sure to tell us.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of the apron lifestyle in my head. The nurturing kitchen on the farm; pre-WWII days, baking or canning and laughing together. Or Loretta Young-type who does all things domestic and corporate with ease, grace, and never a spot. But that's all fantasy in my house. Mom never wore aprons (other than some red net number with poinsettia leaves at Christmas) so they are a thing of fanciful daydreams for me. Still fun though. Enjoy, Angie. We'll anticipate viewing your creations.
And I hope to see a photo here of you wearing your cupcake apron and holding a plate of your cupcake creations.
Blessings,
Mary Kay
PS I'm giggling envisioning you bringing a load of aprons to the next Bootcamp! JSB, JBJ--be ready. Imagination--such inexpensive fun.
I DO wear an apron, but I am not much of a cook and don't really enjoy cooking that much. That said, when I do cook or bake, I am so messy. I would always get grease and flour, etc. on my clothes. On time, I saw another girl my age wearing an apron while cooking and now I do, too. I love it. I just wipe my hands on the apron and have no worries about grease spraying, etc.
ReplyDeleteAngie, my creative younger daughter, a girlie-girl (when not riding horses), loves to wear dresses and she accents many of them with aprons. I don't know how many aprons she has, but quite a few. She wears them out to fancy events and every day events as dress-up accents over skirts with bunches of petticoats. I know some have come from vintage stores.
ReplyDeleteMy mother wore aprons until they were absolutely worn out. She often made them from scraps of dresses that she made for herself or for me and my sister. And sometimes they had patchwork trim, rickrack, or other embellishments. I rarely wear an apron, but if I do it's a chef apron that covers my torso as well.
ReplyDeleteI wear aprons all the time when I cook. Can't afford to replace my clothes too often and the aprons keep them stain free. I love my aprons! I wear the full, over the head ones. I've never understood the point of the half aprons. I think you should do an "Angie apron giveaway" LOL
ReplyDelete