I have so many memories tied to momma's apron strings.I received an e-mail the other day from my blogging friend at LUV2GOSUP about the history of aprons. This made me think about all the memories surrounding those pieces of fabric worn by women to protect the dress underneath.
Momma always had on her apron. She would get dressed in the morning and put the apron on over her dress and wear it all day. I don't ever remember seeing my mother in pants. She always wore what she called "house" dresses at home. Momma wore the pinafore type that went over her head and covered her entire front.
My mother-in-law wore the same type apron as my mother. My daughters and son grew up seeing both their grandmothers wear aprons except when there was company or they left the house to shop or go visiting.
We all have memories of Nannie (my mother) carrying eggs, wiping wet hands, and cooking big meals in her apron.
Grandmother, (my husband's mother) carried all sorts of vegetables from the garden, baked cookies, and wiped away tears with her aprons.Aprons made great hiding places for shy children, were used to carry in wood for the stove, to gather apples that fell from the tree, and often were waved to men in the field so they knew dinner was on the table.
I even found some old Simplicity Patterns on e-bay to make your own aprons.
You could wipe a perspiring brow, use them as a potholder, and wrap them around your arms to keep warm.
Some children today probably don't even know what an apron is.
I think aprons are memory makers. I think they symbolize home, motherhood and family, good times and cookies and good food! Remember Leave it to Beaver and June Cleaver in her apron on the show?
What do you think about when you think of aprons?
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30 comments:
Dear Judy,
Thanks for the reminder of the apron. Yes,my mom was an apron wearer, and used it for the many things you have named. My dad would come in and untie her apron strings when she wasn't looking. He would sneak up behind her, and then just laugh when she reprimanded him. Your posting brings back many pleasant memories.
Love,
Ruby (aka Grammy)
I have a Christmas apron that was probably my grandmother's. My mom and I llived lived with my grandparents, so I am not sure who's it is...anyway, I wear it every time I cook during the holidays...such good memories...
My Mom wore "cobbler" aprons..as she called them. You slipped your arms through like a pinafore and they were short with pockets all across the bottom. I have two aprons that she made me...I hardly ever wear an apron, but they hang near the kitchen..just in case.
Gee! I hadn't seen that Simplicity Pattern in ages! How cool! And what a great look back and I love your photos!
I don't remember my mom wearing aprons but I sure remember my grandmother wearing them.
You stirred up a few memories all right!
I definitely associate aprons with my mother and sister (who was 14 years older than I),and they make me think of them bustling around the kitchen, baking, or making holiday dinners. I remember my mother and Hattie - who was both friend and our cleaning lady - doing the big spring cleaning, beating rugs out on the clothesline, etc. Those things were all before I turned seven, and were good, warm memories.
I love this post, Judy. It brings back the most wonderful memories of my Grandma, standing at the wood cookstove in her apron made out of feed sacks. And since she made biscuits at nearly every meal, there was usually flour on the front of her apron. She passed that apron on to my mother, who then passed it on to me. I always think of Grandma when I wear it and wish I could cook half as well as her!
Thanks for a great post!
I remember my grandmother, she always had an apron on except when she went out. When she went out she always wore a hat and carried gloves. She never owned slacks or shorts. My mom also wore an apron. Thanks for the memories.
Both of my Grandmothers wore apron. Grandmother Mary's aprons were very functional. While Grammy had aprons for different occasions. She wore "special" frilly aprons when she had guests. Both Grandmother Mary and Grammy were excellent cooks. Each cooked three big meals a day. I remember in junior high when our first sewing project was to make an apron. I enjoyed your post!
Sweetie
Neither my mother or my dear Gramilo wore aprons.
They may have worn one once in a while, but I don't have any memory of them.
I don't wear an apron either, but I think those patterns of aprons are really pretty! I might like to wear one of those!!
One of my daughter's friends calls me June Cleaver, so I guess the apron would fit right in.
:-)
Happy Thanksgiving!!
I'm sure you'll be baking some goodies and also cooking some gooood grub, so be sure to wear an apron.
I remember when no respectable woman would even boil a pot of water before wearing her apron. Isn't that say that aprons aren't probably known by kids today? I do think they're experiencing a revival though. I have one myself- a pinafore styled one with a fruit print.
There's a Vintage Apron group at Flickr. Lots of beautiful aprons can be found there.
"Isn't that say" was supposed to read "Isn't that sad". Sorry about the typo.
I'm new here! What a great blog :)
I love a good pinny
Judy, you make me smile this early morning. Aprons, oh yes, my grandmother's wore them and my mother. I wore them in years past.
My mother sewed all the time and I had her make me several.
This summer I bought one for the garden. I can put my cell phone and my camera in the pocket.
Great Post. Have a great day. It is raining in Nashville.
I remember aprons from my Grandmother and my Mother. My Mother's apron always had safety pins on the front for somw reason. I guess just in case one was needed. I have two aprons, but they are not old. Wish I had some of my Mom's.
What an interesting subject to write about. My mother always wore an apron as did my grandmother,
Also read with interest about turkeys having heart attacks. One learns something new everyday.
Have a great day, it is freezing cold here in the UK
YVONNE.
What a fun post! I remember my mom and my grandmothers wearing them a lot especially during the Holidays. Aprons are very much a pleasant memory maker for me too. I associate them with the wonderful times of good food and delicious aromas of the food being prepared and the smells filtering throughout the house. It gives me such a warm and sentimental feeling! Thanks for leaving me with a big smile on my face! :)
I remember my mother had some doozy aprons. Some very fancy for company. I rarely remember to wear them, but have a couple hanging in the laundry room. Mine are not froo froo, but good sturday denim.
Judy, you sure brought back some memories, and I hope you don't mind, but I used the blog article for another blog I do for my business. www.allaboutcomfortliving.com
It is an informative blog and feel your words fit right in with the season.
Thanks, I always enjoy your blog. Pray your Thanksgiving is filled with THANKSGIVING.
Doris
I think of my Grandmother. Her in the kitchn on holidays cooking up a big feast for our family. I recently purchased one after her passing just to have that closeness.
Ahh, Judy...
Yes- this brought back such fond memories of my mom and my aunts. Aprons- homemade- by the sisters (my mom and my aunts) were often exchanged as gifts at Christmas! That was a different time a simpler time-and BETTER-in so many ways!
Thanks for such a wonderful post!
Hugs))
Junie
Mom,
I definitely remember Nannie and Grandmother wearing aprons. Like you said, the only time I saw Grandmother without an apron on was when she was going to town. I can still see her walking back from the garden with her apron filled with yummy tomatoes or potatoes. Of course I still have all her aprons. hehehe Thanks for this blog entry, it made some sweet memories come back.
Love you! See you Thursday!
Leigh
What a great blog entry Mom!! I love all of Grandmothers aprons. She had some that were beautiful! I always remember Nannie having one on as well. Love the memories you always seem bring to my attention.
Love you
Anne
This certainly brings back memories for me Judy! My Mom always wore her apron when she was home. She usually wore the kind you tied around your waist, and she used them for all the things you mentioned. I wear an apron every now and then myself!
Great post about your daughter's birthdays. I see they got lots of their love of horses from their Dad! They are certainly lovely girls! I love those pictures of them when they were little!!!
This piece brings back memories! My mom always wore a dress, too, although she only wore aprons when cooking a big meal, and she didn't wear the kind with the bib. Hers just tied around her waist. My grandma wore a bib apron when she cooked.
My first 4H sewing project was an apron. It is still in my linen closet, although it fit me when I was 10 and not now! Happy Thansgiving to you and your family!
I still have aprons which I occasionally wear.
I have a special memory of my mother when I was about six years-old. My father brought home a little kangaroo joey whose mother had been killed and Mum fed it via eyedropper and saved his life. She popped him into her apron pocket until Joey got too big ... Then the little bloke used to hop around following her and would still try to hop into that warm pocket.
In the end Joey got so big he'd threaten to knock over Mum and used to jump the fence of our suburban garden to roam the streets at night.
One morning Dad said Joey hadn't returned and must have gone off to the bush to find his brothers and sisters. Even at that age I did wonder what really happened ...
Thinking of Mumbai and Suranga Judy ...
Love from June in Oz
Reminds my grandmother who always wore aprons and made the best cookies.
I have several pinafore type aprons. Keeps t-shirts clean and free of spots while cooking.
My grandmother ALWAYS wore an apron over her dress! I used to have several of hers, but I think during the flood at our house several years ago, I lost them. I ended up buying some on Ebay because they brought back such wonderful memories of her! Thanks for sharing.
Do you know that I just bought patterns the other day to make aprons. They are all the rage again. I am going to make one for my daughter. I will put it on my blog when I do. In fact I have come across apron blogs even. Another great post!!!
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