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!
