Thursday, January 26, 2012

The History of Aprons...

The 'Aprons of Love' email has been doing the rounds again recently...I've been sent it again this morning by my Mum...If you haven't seen it before, perhaps you'd like to read it too...
Enjoy...

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 also because it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and aprons used less fabric. But along with that, it was used 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.
When visitors arrived, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy littlies..
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 fire.

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 shells.
In the autumn, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.
When unexpected visitors appeared, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.
When dinner was ready, Grandma walked outside, 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.
REMEMBER:
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 bonkers now trying to work out how many germs were on that apron.
I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron - but love!

Niki x

20 comments:

  1. Greetings from California!

    I love aprons. I inherited my mom's aprons (most of which she sewed herself), and I just treasure them. I've added to the collection, of course, but Mom's are best.

    Love your blog! Such pretty things!

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  2. Awww isn't that so sweet, and so true. I remember my nan being encased in a big flowery apron and I think the only time she didn't wear one was when she was in bed!! Happy memories. Love the old patterns they don't make them like that any more, Lucey x

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  3. Just found your lovely blog and the pinnys are super. I make and sell pinnys at craft fairs and always try to make unusual one offs.some of these old ones are quite complicated aren't they. Veronica.

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  4. I love aprons and wear them daily! I could not live without them! I think you are absolutely right, I actually use aprons for everything your described (and them some). Lemonade Kitty is right too, they don't make them anymore as they use to!
    God bless,

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  5. I've never seen that before , how lovely - I love wearing mine, especially the one I bought from you.

    Hope all is well
    Maureen
    x

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  6. Anonymous10:44 pm

    Ah Niki i love this and have not read it before,it really appeals to my sentimental side and my mum always wore aprons when i was young she still has some real old ones she picked up in charity shops over the years and still wears them when she bakes.
    x

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  7. I've not seen this before but what a useful garment it is!

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  8. DH asked the other day "how many pinnys do you have" Me ...... "erm 5..... er no, 7". So yes, I like a pinny.
    Carol xx

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  9. Grandma always wore an apron over her dress.

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  10. I think we should start a national apron day (or pinny where I'm from!)lovely blog, my mum wore a housecoat! jennyx

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  11. Oh, yeah!! Grandma always had an apron.

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  12. My sweet Mama has always worn an apron and still does every day! And they are pretty floral ones, too!
    Michelle

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  13. My mum was the apron queen...she made and sold hundreds of them over the years at various craft shows here. She loved making them and all were her own designs.

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  14. Hi Niki.
    It 'nice to read your posts, make peace...
    Here was the earthquake, we're fine, but we had fear. :o((
    Hughs and kisses, Maria.
    (with translator)

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  15. Great post Nikki,
    I wear full aprons all the time, different ones for cooking, painting furniture, houswork, gardening etc. They all have useful pockets for holding my mobile phone, hankies, bits and bobs etc....in fact, I couldn't work without one.
    Julie x
    P.S. I do take them off when I go shopping!

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  16. Such a beautiful (and true) tale :o)
    I love your previous 'Dust if you Must' poem too :o)

    Those fabrics you found look fabulous! And are those apron patterns yours, or did the pictures come with the email Niki?

    Have a lovely, happy weekend my dear.
    Take care,
    Love Donna xx

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  17. I remember my Gran used to call hers a "pinny" and was never without it in the house.
    Gillx

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  18. My granny always wore a "pinny" too. She only took her pinny off when she went shopping or had visitors.
    Love the poem
    Julie xxxxxxx

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  19. Anonymous9:29 am

    This is a wonderful and interesting history of the aprons.I like this blog.I really enjoy this blog.

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Thank you for finding the time to visit me...
Niki xx