I posted this poem a few years back and it still one of my favorites because it rings so true of my grandma on the farm. I found lots of vintage apron pattern images to share along with it. Feel free to snag and save any of the images here too:)
The History of APRONS
I don't think our kids know what
an apron is.
The principal use of Grandma's apron was
to protect the dress underneath. Because she only had a
few, it was easier to wash aprons than
dresses and they used less material, but along
with that, it served as a potholder for removing
hot pans from the oven.
dresses and they 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.
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.
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
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.
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
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 knew it
was time to come in from the fields to dinner.
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 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.
something that will replace that 'old-time
apron' that served so many purposes.
Grandma used to set her hot baked apple
pies on
the window sill to cool. Her granddaughters set
theirs on the window sill to thaw.
They would go crazy now trying to figure out how
many germs were on that apron.
I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron.............
the window sill to cool. Her granddaughters set
theirs on the window sill to thaw.
They would go crazy now trying to figure out how
many germs were on that apron.
I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron.............
Joining these parties this week
Be Inspired @ Elizabeth & Co.
Cottage Style @ Lavender Garden Cottage
Knick of Time Tuesday @ Knick of Time Interiors
Treasure Hunt Thursday @ From My Front Porch to Yours
Anything Blue @ The Dedicated House
Farm Girl Friday @ Fresh Eggs Daily
Farm Girl Friday @ Fresh Eggs Daily
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground 
11 comments:
I love this post !!!
At the moment I have two aprons posted on my blog, that I made this week. Your patterns are so special, I love them .
I feel that whenever I wear an apron while cooking my cooking is better, because I feel so "Betty Crockery," and it's hard to not wear a smile along with a pretty apron :)
Have a wonderful week,
and thanks again for this charming retro post :)
Your blogging sister, Connie :)
Good Evening Debbi, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this post as it took me back to when I was a child. Ivy, my grandmother wore one of the aprons that you showed us. I remember Ivy picking apples from her tree and putting them in her rolled up apron to take them into the kitchen.
Such lovely memories. I would love to make one to show my daughters what their great-grandmother wore on a daily basis. I think they would be surprised to see how much of the dress was covered with the apron. Sadly they never met her, as she passed away before they were born, but I made sure they knew all about her.
Enjoy your day,
Best Wishes
Daphne
I love your post. I always wear aprons when I cook and so does my granddaughter who is 13 now. I even made us matching ones last year.
So interesting and fun, Debbi! My mother and grandmother always wore aprons - and used them in all the various ways you mentioned! Your post brought back some sweet memories! :)
xoxo laurie
I Love your sweet history! Pinned to my apron board. My daughter inherited my sweet affection for them:) I posted DIY Doily Jacket this week:)
I have always loved aprons ~ my Mom always used one and like Connie ^^ up there, I have a post of some I just made, my first time making any! I think my favorite of yours here is the Advance 5288 with sweetheart neckline :) Thanks for sharing the poem too ~ Judi
I don't own a single apron, but I love the look of them. Remember when there were Hostess aprons that were all frilly. I had a couple of those. Thanks for the info, it was really interesting. Thanks also for joining Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty
Hi Debbi -
I own several full aprons and don't cook without them. And some days when I come home from work I keep on my pearls and go full on vintage ordering that pizza!!!!! Hugs, Holly @ coconutheadsurvivalguide
Great post, love aprons and have a collection that I must share on a post. I wish they were worn more. Newest follower, hope to see you visit.
Oh I just loved reading this!
I love this post! My Mother and Grandmothers all wore aprons...everyday. They did a lot of cooking and canning in their day so the apron was certainly a necessity. It was used for all those chores the poem mentions and maybe something they came up with on their own! Thanks so much. I enjoyed this.
Peace and blessings,
Nancy
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