Monday, July 26, 2010

Grandma's Aprons

 
 Do you remember Grandma's Aprons?  Or  Mom's aprons?

Notice that a "MEDIUM" is a 14-16... And the price was 25 cents.  Wow!

The History of 'APRONS'

I don't think our kids know what an apron is.  I have several ~ but don't use them unless I am canning.  Then I grabbed an old butcher's apron that husband wore when he was a meat cutter. 

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.

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.

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.

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 folks 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 crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.

I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron - but love...

Maybe we need to get back to aprons.  What about you?  Do you wear aprons?
Wonder where we could get an old pattern?  I know we won't find one for a quarter!  Might be fun searching thrift stores.  Wanna come?







8 comments:

Dori Overman said...

I actually have an apron drawer at my house. My girls both have one but Elena uses hers as a super woman cape...does that count? Gary uses one EVERY day at school doing lunch duty. It holds all kinds of things that a child might need during lunch.

Winona said...

I still wear aprons. I have made myself some very simple butcher block type aprons. I really like them when I am working in the garden. I have a big pocket on the front. I can keep seeds, a kleenix, even some water with me. I always wear an apron when canning. Good post. Winona

Barbara said...

I had this on my blog a few months ago, and I loved it, I also have the patterns, and going to get some Rooster material to make me a new apron, I won a prize at our Mother/Daughter Dinner at church for having a nice apron, it had a big Rooster on it. I kinda like roosters I do, hugs my friend, and I cannot remember a time my mom and my grandma did not have an apron on at home, I wear them on Sunday usually to fix dinner, other than that not most times, Aprons are a great hertiage for us, and I do wish more women would wear them, and let the younger generation know how useful they are. Hugs and blessing dear friend.

pse said...

I have several old pattens. Bring your fabric when you come. You can cut some out. Or I just might have some fabric!

Deborah said...

I have an apron but seldom think to wear it, but I really should...it would save on stain remover!
We also have an apron that my mom gave my husband. It looks like a tuxedo and he wears it whenever he is helping out at church, barbequing or carving meat. He used it this week at Camp Meeting!

Susan said...

I wear an apron every day while I'm cooking. I ruined so many clothes over the years that I started wearing aprons to keep from having to wear spotted, stained clothes!

And I'm with you on the germs! I'm almost to the point of being irritated over the germophobia in our culture! ;) Just relax, people! LOL

Debra@CommonGround said...

This is a great post Aliene, and I'm so glad you came by the Bible Study. Both my Grandmothers wore aprons and I love them. I don't use one very often, and when I do it's one of the heavy cotton ones that come around and tie in the front. I think they are trying to make a comeback, and that would be wonderful!
hugs and blessings,
Debra

Anonymous said...

I LOVE aprons!!! I would collect them if I could :-)