29 April, 2019

Hidden Treasures

I love aprons; I wear them all the time. Normally I wear a bib-style style apron that loops behind my neck and ties behind my waist.
I have made many of these over the years and have tried out different patterns for similar bib-style aprons.

I found this apron, pictured, in a box of my Mom's fabric this week, she brought it to me after she had cleaned out her sewing space last fall and I promised her that I would make good use of the long-collected fabrics. I had forgotten  about the apron, tucked neatly inside the box. This treasure is old, well-worn and made from flour sack fabric that is now as soft as a tissue; it is completely hand made, even the button holes.

My mother says it was made by her Aunt Lizzie. She remembers, as a small child, going to Aunt Lizzie's home and sitting on the horsehair sofa and looking at her family Bible. Aunt Lizzie was a skilled seamstress; my mother also remembers being served toast with mustard during these visits. 😝 Apparently, Aunt Lizzie's sewing talents didn't crossover into the kitchen.

It has a split-T back and buttons at the side waist. It is small. I can wear it but it would be much more comfortable if that strip at the back waist were lengthened and the buttons moved out just a bit.
I just love this style, there are no straps to slip and it provides good coverage, as any apron worth its weight in fabric should!  I can even see this being made adjustable, with two buttoning positions on each side, as needed. I am working on drafting a pattern from this beauty to see what I can come up with.  I might just have some strawberry print from which to try the pattern out. I could also make smaller versions for the granddaughters.

Stay tuned, we'll see how this goes first. 
In the meantime, this fragile but lovely apron from the past will be saved and admired; a testament to a tried-and-true style and some dedicated, yet delicate, hand stitching. 

Life is Good!

11 comments:

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

That is a pretty apron. It does provide good coverage and looks like it would be comfortable to wear and use.

Little Penpen said...

How pretty!!! And truly a treasure!! Now go make yourself some mustard toast! ☺️

Needled Mom said...

I really like the coverage of that style. I'm glad that you have the apron to make a pattern and more aprons. It will need a lot of washing to get the new one as soft!

julieQ said...

My mom wore aprons all the time...I have one of hers, that is very similar to your treasure!! I had a patient in the hospital give me a bright yellow apron...love them!

Ramona said...

Beautiful apron! How nice that you have it to treasure and pass on to your family. Enjoy creating the new aprons for yourself and your grands.

Janet O. said...

What a treasure! It looks good on you, but what a great idea to make a pattern and make it adjustable.
I always wear an apron when I work in the kitchen. I am a messy cook, I guess, but it sure saves clothing to protect it. I go for the bib aprons, too.

Quiltdivajulie said...

I've never been an apron-girl - my mom and grandmother both were - but DH has a couple of the King Arthur aprons for his baking sessions. Your apron today is so special - glad you are going to pattern it for the future.

jude's page said...

A very special keepsake indeed. Look forward to your future creations.

straythreads said...

What a treasure and trip down memory lane that is the kind of apron great grandma always wore

Dee W said...

I picked up an apron pattern from Indygo Junction the other day. It has adult and child sizes, no buttons, reversible. I had a thought for it. My granddaughter who's 17, looked at it and said you should make one side Christmas, the 2nd side something fun. It would be a great 1st gift of Christmas (on Thanksgiving - my tradition). She's right and that plan is now on the list. My little great grandkids and neices and nephew all enjoy cooking.

Lindah said...

What a sweet keepsake. May I put in a pre-order for that pattern? I'm sure I would wear an apron in the kitchen if it did not have those strings around the neck. Our grandmothers and their sisters knew a thing or two about real aprons.

(I'm rofl about the toast with mustard.)