Monday, August 2, 2010

Random Monday Memories #9 . . .




Remember making an apron in Home Ec? I still have my 8th grade Home Ec apron sewing project tucked away in a closet upstairs. It was my first sewing project and the work was very poorly done. Thank goodness my sewing skills improved over the years. I love the fact that aprons are back in style. I should wear one more often!


The History of
APRONS

The principle 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.
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 anyone ever caught anything from an apron - but love...

16 comments:

Becky K. said...

Thanks to blogging I have rediscovered aprons. I should have been wearing them for all of my candlemaking years. I have ruined more shirts with fragrance oil and wax.

Becky K.

tincanlily said...

I am going to make an apron for a friend this week. I love the images on the pattern. I love that aprons have made a big comeback. Now that I think of it, do any of the chefs on The Food Network wear aprons? I can't think of any. I sometimes wear an apron when I do the dishes and don't want any water to splash on me. I wear one when I bake, flour can be messy!
Grandma's apron was very busy! I can picture a grandmother waving her apron to call everyone in for dinner! Now, we would just text them!
denise

Oklahoma Granny said...

My first home ec project was an apron too. It was much like the one in the lower right hand corner shown on the pattern although we didn't use a pattern, only instructions from our teacher. Mine was bright yellow with little red flowers. I'm not sure whatever became of the apron but I'll never forget it.

It seems to me that people nowadays are too germophobic. And in that, their immune systems will suffer in the long run. If you're not exposed to some germs your body will never develop a resistance to them. Just my humble opinion.

Christine said...

I remember my mother having aprons and getting some at my wedding shower. I think I sold them in a garage sale many years ago. What was I thinking????? Wish I had them now.

Darlene said...

I LOVED reading the History of Aprons!! It is all sooooo true too!!♥

Kerin said...

Oh I DO love aprons!
I'm so glad that they are coming back in 'fashion'!
LOVE the sunflower header on your blog too!! Such a happy picture.
Have a wonderful day :)

Cindy said...

I enjoyed the article on aprons. I, too, love them and have a couple vintage ones as well as several new ones. They hang on a hook that is on the side of my plate cupboard. I just wore one yesterday while baking with blueberries. I'm always on the lookout for old ones at antique shops. Thanks for the memories.

Barb said...

Dear Rooster Party Participant,

Just a reminder that this coming Friday, August 6th is the Rooster Party. I am so looking forward to seeing your post.

Thanks for joining and I hope you have a wonderful time.

Hugs, Barb

Hi Carol!!!!!

Elena said...

I just love reading your memory posts! My first sewing project was a skirt with an elastic waist band. I wish I still had it.

tincanlily said...

I wanted to let you know, I made the squash dish and it was very good! I may post it next week and send all my readers ( I have just a handful) over here! It is always nice to meet new bloggers and also nice to share recipes. Again, it was easy and so delicious!
denise

Debbie said...

I just LOVE this post! One of my most cherished possessions is my grandmother's apron. I blogged about it once. I also wear aprons all of the time.

I love them.
Great post. My favorite part is the ending.

the southern hostess said...

Great post! Love it.

valerie said...

Great post Carol.
I love aprons. I rarely wear one at home. I bought a Christmas apron a few years ago and actually wore it on Christmas morning.
My friend and I have several that we take with us to church camp when we cook. Pockets are a must. I have to have my camera handy.
That's neat that you still have your apron from 8th grade.
Hope you're having a good summer. Hasn't it just flown by?
Talk to you soon, friend!

Linda C said...

I enjoyed this post, Carol! As I read it, memories of my mom and grandmas' aprons came rushing in- and I think I have seen them used in most of the cases- though never to wipe a kid's nose. My mom did keep tissue in the pocket of her apron for that. :)

Thanks again for sharing the history of aprons!

Hugs,
Linda

Anonymous said...

I didn't make an apron. I made a skirt and the awful red jumper with facing and a zipper and the meanest Home Ec teacher! Mrs. Wallen!

JD/ Jill said...

My first Home Ec project was an Apron too. I remember having fun making it...but I don't think I did a very good job making it. Thanks for sharing