Friday, September 05, 2008

What is it About Aprons?

Aprons have been a hot item for quite some time now, evoking memories for us of our mom's and grandma's in a cozy kitchen whipping up something fantastic or laboring over a steaming canner. I think we have been drawn back to our apron-wearing days because they remind us of a simpler time when our homes and hometowns were filled with love and laughter. Not that they're not now, we just want to make sure that some of the old feeling remains. All of my memories of my grandmother ~ in the kitchen, manning the counter at the hardware store, or puttering around in the garden ~ include some kind of an apron or covering. Grandma Simmons wore the smock-style that snapped up the front and covered all, Grandma Sannar wore half-aprons in her pie-baking days. My own collection is growing, including some I've made myself and some vintage aprons that I have picked up at estate sales and such. Recently, I joined the Flirty Apron Swap. This swap had a dream vacation theme. You were to make your secret partner an apron, keeping in mind her dream vacations. We wrote about two destinations and your partner could pick either one for the theme of your apron.

My partner chose Japan or Hawaii as her dream destination, her favorite color being red and her favorite style the half-apron. I found this beautiful red Japanese fabric at Ana Lena's quilt shop in Longbeach, Washington and the golden silk fabric at Joanne's. The pocket is shaped like a Japanese fan, my own interpretation of course. Shilo is my model today.


My package is off to my secret partner and I'm rubbing my hands together in anticipation of the apron I will receive from a different secret partner. I asked to be sent to a cabin by a lake with a canoe, or Ireland...

Last night I finished a fun, kinda sexy apron for my soon to be new niece's bridal shower this weekend. Post to follow.

Do you wear aprons? What's in your collection?

10 comments:

Wila (aka Ali) said...

I LOVE that apron. The use of the silky material is great! I can't wait to see the one you get...your destinations made my mind go into "drive." Hope all is well over on your coast! We're preparing for some nasty weather this weekend...

Unknown said...

this is really pretty! I think she will love it! I cant wait to get an apron! woohoo! Melinda

Unknown said...

where are you anyway? I grew up in Rockaway....Melinda

Unknown said...

Oops I see, never mind.....my mom and my grandma were both born and raised in Astoria and my uncle had an antique shop for years there and we had a houseboat as a weekend thing in Brownsmeade...funny huh? If you go to my blog and find the scrapbook that my grandma did it shows the address...I want to say it os on 8th st...small world...Melinda

Unknown said...

Cool apron! I want to see the sexy one too.
I just got mine today & it is so cute!

Anonymous said...

Very pretty!! I don't wear aprons-although I have a few. I remember my Granny always wore aprons-all day-just as part of her attire.

Jeni said...

I LOVE Aprons! I was on a tear a couple years back, making all kinds of aprons (well -one pattern, all kinds of fabric, I should say.) The pattern I use is a standard bib apron with two or three pockets across the bottom and it had a piece that goes over your head plus ties in the back -butcher apron, basically. Have you ever tried making that style of apron using the vinyl type tableclothes? I've made several of them and they work really great when you are dealing with a really messy substance as they wipe off with a damp rag, easy as pie! I made oodles of aprons for a couple of years and sold a good many of them at that time but too many people think of them as too cumbersome to wear. I, on the otherhand, consider them a godsend when I cook or bake! The style I like the best though is a design I haven't been able to find and "easy-to-sew" pattern for though and it's the style my grandmother always wore -along with all my great-aunts too. Round neckline, armholes you slip into and then it criss-crosses in the back and also has ties at the side too. Covers even more than the butcher style aprons cover!

Mary said...

Paula,

The apron for your secret partner is absolutely gorgeous. You did a great job with it.

I do like aprons and yes, they remind me of Grandma. I only have two and they are both full aprons, though I do like the half aprons best. One was given to me by my mother and the other I won in a swap. Oh, I almost forgot. I have a third that is the smock type and zippers up the front.

Enjoy visiting with you. I see you've been reading. I have too, but haven't posted about any books for a while. I've read a dozen or so more than I was required to read for the History Challenge.

Take care and have a wonderful week.

Blessings,
Mary

Anonymous said...

I love aprons and have made quite a few of them. They make for wonderful gifts. You did a lovely job! What a fun swap!

Blessings!
Lacy

Cris said...

Hi Paula! The apron is lovely I am sure your friend will love it! The colors you picked are so beautiful.