Sister Michelle
Administrator
I must keep my eyes on Jesus my Saviour
Posts: 1,065
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Post by Sister Michelle on Jul 25, 2006 20:23:25 GMT -5
Aprons have been a part of our culture for hundreds of years. If you take a look back in history, you will see that aprons were used for many practical purposes and were worn by both men and woman. They were worn by blacksmiths, farmers, shopkeepers, and millers and used in daily chores like gathering eggs, working in the garden, cooking and cleaning. The main function of the apron was to protect the clothing and keep trade tools handy. Whatever you were doing on the farm or in your profession, the apron extended the number of days that an outfit could be worn before washing and extended the life of the clothing underneath. Most aprons were long and made of durable fabrics; some were even made of wool to protect women from burning when cooking over an open hearth.
As the years progressed, apron styles began to change to meet the needs of the wearer. With the end of World War II came a boom of home entertainment and dinner parties. It was the “Leave it to Beaver” era, and moms were in the kitchen. Homemade pies and breads awaited hungry children almost every afternoon, and mom enjoyed her daily task of home management. The apron then took on a new look. It was no longer worn for just practical purposes; it was now worn for style. Aprons were soon known as the symbol of the homemaker, and every mother and hostess had one, if not several. There were hundreds of styles and colors, and most moms had fancy, decorative aprons to match outfits for special occasions. Then, almost overnight, the apron was gone. Not quite without a trace, but gone as far as the fashion industry was concerned.
I have heard the apron called an icon of the past, so where did it go? With the dawn of the women’s liberation movement, more and more jobs became available to women, and women slowly began to leave their homes. There was no longer a need for feminine fashion statements that had such close ties to the home and hearth. There was no time to bake or entertain--no time at home to do many of the things women once enjoyed doing. Many of the homemaking skills like cooking, baking, sewing, and even cleaning were looked upon as drudgery. We hired maids, cooks, and childcare professionals to do our jobs for us, and the skills of the home manager were all but lost. Our young maidens no longer had moms at home to teach them how to be homemakers, so they, in turn, went off to work, too. You could say, “We’ve come a long way baby”, but I think we have been traveling in the wrong direction.
However, I do not despair, for I see a change in the tides. There is hope on the horizon, because the apron is back! I know the apron by itself cannot help women reclaim their home and once again embrace motherhood. But, statistics show that sales of aprons are on the increase. If more women are buying aprons, that means more women are once again embracing God’s design and returning to the home--returning to raise their children, cook the meals, clean the house, be helpers to their husbands and managers of their homes, therefore having a need for functional, feminine aprons.
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Post by coveredwifeoftim on Jul 25, 2006 21:13:23 GMT -5
Michelle, I have to say I love aprons! I remember my mother used to wear aprons when I was a little girl. I have a pattern for an apron which I hope to get sewn one of these days. Thank you for the fond memories!
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Sister Michelle
Administrator
I must keep my eyes on Jesus my Saviour
Posts: 1,065
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Post by Sister Michelle on Jul 27, 2006 20:56:42 GMT -5
Loved this It is from Maggie aka the hillbilly housewife
One day not too long ago I was struggling with the boys over some minor details which come up when a lot of people live in a small shack in the woods. Details like the value of picking one's dirty clothes up off of the living room floor when company has been spotted driving up the mountain. The boys were unusually stubborn that particular day. Rather than fight with them over their household responsibilities I picked up the dirty clothes myself and crammed them into the washing machine. I ran some soapy water in the sink to get a start on the dishes before the company arrived.
Now usually I am not one to hold a grudge over small disagreements like laundry on the livingroom floor. This one settled in my brain though, and I felt compelled to mull over it for several days. It was the outright insubordination which offended me the most. After I figured that out I went in search of solutions.
About the same time I was in the process of Spring Cleaning. I was having a great deal of trouble motivating myself to wash the walls in the kitchen and mop the back porch where the cats live (blessedly with a doggie door so they don't need litter boxes).
Well, the more I worried about these twin dillemas the more I felt the need to discuss them with the queen of solutions, my momma Darthulia. As I suspected she had the perfect solution. Darthulia told me I needed a uniform or costume which would reassure myself and others of my intention and status in the home. She claimed it would remind me of my duties, inspire me to greater levels of cleanliness (which as a hillbilly I sorely need), and reaffirm my authority in the home.
Darthulia then went on to describe the homemaker's uniform to me in detail. "Imagine the modern archetype of the housewife." She began. "Think Donna Reed, or Beaver Cleaver's mom. They wore full skirts, and stockings, and heels when they vacuumed. But you knew they were doing housework because they had their aprons on. A string of beads graced the necks of their classic shirtwaist dresses, and a lacy bibbed apron proclaimed their role as matriarch in charge of household management."
I only have a fleeting memory of Donna Reed. I sort of wish she came on television regularly so I could take notes but she doesn't in my area so I am stuck looking for other heroines-of-the-home to model myself after. Most of what momma said made sense to me though. That very day, I put on a full skirt, stockings, sensibly low high heeled shoes, and a string of pearly white beads. Then I sat down at my sewing machine and ran up a couple of bibbed aprons, decorated with lace and ribbons.
I made up the pattern as I went along using a small rectangle for the first bib and a heart shape for the second bib. Then I stitched lace around the edges of the bib and attatched it to a simple tie with a full apron skirt gathered to the waist. I made them short waisted so they would fit my maternal figure a bit better, and voila, I was set. I put the first apron on, a creamy white or ecru, and looked in the mirror to admire my handiwork. I expected to see myself staring back at me, probably looking a little silly in this frilly piece of confection designed to protect my clothing.
Boy howdy, was I in for a surprise. In the mirror I saw a vision of the homemaker I have always strived to become staring back at me. Her cheery face glistened in the sunshine. Her hair tied up neatly in bun looked authoritative, and compassionate all at the same time. The apron covered several figure flaws and accentuated the fertile curves of the woman I saw in the mirror. This woman had purpose. She had status. She had clout. I stood there, contemplating the wonder of the homemaker that shone through my image in the mirror. "This is who I want to be" I told myself. "This is the Keeper of the home, with a capital 'K'. "
I wear my aprons every day now. I have made more, in different colors and configurations so as to be pleasing to my senses. I have come to believe they are a like lacy bits of lingerie, only worn on the outside, and a quite a bit more respectable. When I put on my aprons the children mind me better, wandering visitors immediately know my role as a stay at home mom. Door to door religious missionaries assume I am a virtuous woman and cheerfully move on to the next house. Fred thinks I look cute as a button, and neighbor children hug me more often.
I like my aprons. They have changed my life, raising my standards, inspiring me to greater feats of home making skill, and making me more effective as a parent. Whoever thought that a dollars worth of fabric and lace could effect so many changes on one woman and one family? Since my success with aprons I have become a true believer. I am now called to spread the word among my fellow housewives. Join the crusade by sharing your love of aprons with friends, family and internet buddies around the world. Together we will change the face of the House Wife, the world over.
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Sister Michelle
Administrator
I must keep my eyes on Jesus my Saviour
Posts: 1,065
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Post by Sister Michelle on Oct 2, 2006 7:45:03 GMT -5
I don't think todays kids know what an apron is.
The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, 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 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.
Send this to those who would know, and love the story about Grandma's aprons.
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Post by mom2my4kidz on Dec 25, 2006 19:58:19 GMT -5
I make what I call a prayer apron....
I hand stitch everything on the apron & pray for the person I make it for....every stitch is a different prayer
and then I enclose a card telling about the prayer apron, wrap it all up, and give it as a present.
Everyone has seemed to like them thus far.
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annette
Gracious Lady
Forever Rely On God!
Posts: 20
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Post by annette on Jan 26, 2007 0:48:27 GMT -5
I have found that when I place my hair back or up and a modest sturdy housework dress on and put on an apron....the housework load is so light and disappears so fast. Things seem to get accomplished so much better. I have found a pattern I dearly love but have not been able to afford it yet. There are no ties or buttons. It crosses in the back and looks to give plenty of ease in movement and cover all the necessary tasks listed previously. Hopefully soon I can add it to my wardrobe.
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Post by countrycamogirl on Apr 11, 2007 19:22:25 GMT -5
I love aprons. I especially have to wear one when I'm making icing or I end up with a greasy stain on my shirt. (buttercream) I've been taking classes and love doing it so i make alot. I found a springy one at walmart and i've made a camo one. I have 2 more cool patterns i'm going to give a try pretty soon!!!!
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Post by ivyemmasmommy on Apr 11, 2007 22:06:46 GMT -5
Now you ladies have made me want an apron! My dd's have one (made by their Greatgrandma) It is a pot holder and a large dish towel. The pot holder is the top with added ribon for the ties. The large dish towel goes at the bottum, with more ribon for the ties. They are so cute! I want one like that. .But I don't think I can find a pot holder big enough. I think I have an old arpon around here some place, just the skirt kind, I wonder if I can fix it up a little more, and use it!
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Post by countmyblessings on Apr 15, 2007 0:54:54 GMT -5
I have one apron already, just a plain one. I found an older woman who makes custom aprons in town, and have already written to her to ask about having three made up: one for me, and one for each of my daughters. I can't wait to visit with her and decide on patterns and fabric!
Michelle
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Post by juanitalynn on Apr 17, 2007 9:35:36 GMT -5
I love my apron. I have a bad habit of wiping my hands on my cloths when I baked. Always had flour everywhere. I am thinking of making an apron out of a towel, or towels. It will absorb better than the one I have. Have to have pockets too.
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Post by teresab01 on May 5, 2007 20:44:04 GMT -5
I too love aprons. I have several, but they are just the tie around your waist, short kind. Then I have 3 that are long, I bought 2 of them at Sam's club. My favorite is a denim one though. Thanks for the won derful memories.
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Post by debyprays on Jun 4, 2007 14:50:25 GMT -5
I just bought some lovely floral fabric yesterday and a regular butcher type pattern....and will add some lace....maybe tomorrow..laundry and Monday cleaning today. Deby
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jalynn
Senior Member
Posts: 512
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Post by jalynn on Sept 20, 2007 13:57:29 GMT -5
I love aprons...and always wear them...used to take a terrycloth towel (T towel) U turn it sideways and sew bias tape for the strings & casing...I wear one now that covers more...got it as a gift & wear it everyday....I need to make more...both girls have outgrown theirs...!
When you reach the end of your rope~you touch the hem of HIS garmet
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Post by mamalambnc on Sept 20, 2007 14:37:00 GMT -5
I thought I'd stop by & say hello to you ladies while I have a couple of minutes....
The lady who makes my cape dresses always makes me an apron to go with the dress. They are so pretty. blessings, Patty
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Post by bair710 on Sept 25, 2007 18:36:20 GMT -5
I love aprons. I wish I could start a business selling them. I use mine not only for sewing but to hold clothes pins when I hang the laundry out.
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