Friday, March 25, 2011

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 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 folk 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.



I received this in an email and just had to share it.  I love this.  I have one of my Grandmother's aprons hanging in my dining room where I store my treasures.

We called my grandmother Mammar (pronounced Mammer).  This was my dad's mother.  She was a great cook.  My sister and I used to play Avon at her house in Hazel, Kentucky.  I miss Mammar.  She wore an apron.


13 comments:

becky3086 said...

I loved this post. Very nicely done.

Dawn said...

Lovely post. And I have a deep love for aprons:) I think I once did a post on all the aprons I own:)) Doesn't it just feel "different" when you put one on? A GOOD different!

Connie said...

I wear aprons occasionally and my girls like them now. They made fun of me at first but they're used to them now. I have several hanging on a peg rack in my kitchen. I love them and find them so handy!

Corine Moore said...

Oh Cathy... I love this! All of it. The writing, the history, the photo... And now I want to make myself an old fashioned apron like one of these. I wonder if the pattern is still in print. You didn't get the pattern emailed to you, (in addition to the cute little pic).. did you? :o
Corine :D

Nancy said...

What a lovely tribute to your mammer. I think aprons are making a comeback. Have seen quite a few on etsy. :)

Jules said...

I don't blame you, I love it too. Aprons do bring back great memories don't they?!

Have a great weekend Cathy.
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Cathy, Thanks for a great post. I did NOT know all of the history behind the apron.. Very interesting... I do remember my mother wearing one everytime she was in the kitchen --which was alot, since she was a great cook...

Hugs,
Betsy

Out on the prairie said...

My neighbor wears one all day.Love the patterns.

jeanlivingsimple said...

Dang...this really brought back memories. Sure wish I had one of my Grandmother's Aprons. She made them herself and she used them just like your post said.:)

Corner Gardener Sue said...

Thanks for posting this. I sure enjoyed it. I used to wear aprons when I cooked. I think I did when I was in my 20s even. I don't remember when or why I stopped. I have a collection of them, though.

I chuckled at the thought of you playing Avon.

Corner Gardener Sue said...

I forgot to say I hope the test results are OK.

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Hi Kathy, thank you for visiting and following Thistle Cove Farm. I'm trying to follow you as well but Blogger is having problems right now; will try again later.
I adore aprons and have a nice collection. Generally, I wear them every day because they protect my clothes so much plus add a touch of cheer.

Leontien said...

Great post and yes apron's does bring back memories!

Thanks
Leontien