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History of the Apron ( might bring back some memories)

  • Thread starter Thread starter jake
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Where would I put all the bits and bobs that I collect as I go from room to room doing my housework?.
My aprons have a large pocket in the front and my husband is amazed at how much'junk' they hold.

My Gran was very rarely seen without her 'wrap around' apron but my mothers trademark was her array of tabbard aprons,a bit like dinnerladies.A colour to match any outfit she was wearing.
 
Aprons


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 easier to wash aprons than dresses and they 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 menfolk knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

(my note: When my mother saw unexpected coming, my mother would run to her bedroom and put on a clean apron. She was then presentable.)

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.

REMEMBER:

Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool. Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw. They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron. I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron.
 
Re: Aprons

Even in the 1950s/60s I remember aprons being routinely worn for housework etc. My Nan always wore one which covered all, whilst my mom had those that only covered the lower part, a sort of half apron. She had several, sometimes they had frills. Remember my first sewing project at school was to make a gingham apron with an embroidery decorated pocket. Viv.
 
Re: Aprons

Viv my mom always had mint imperials in her pocket. When I think of the full aprons, I seem to think of ladies wearing turbans as well.
 
Re: Aprons

Now you're building a real image of the time Carolina! Another memorable accessory to the apron was also the sheepskin fur lined slipper, sometimes a type of bootee. All very comfortable, practical and re- assuring for us kids. :) viv
 
Re: Aprons

Lovely post Carolina!

My Nan always wore an apron around the home and garden.
My mother did when I was a small child but I think they sort of went out of fashion in the 60's
 
Re: Aprons

And I still use the phrase 'cutting the apron strings' I'm now wondering if (younger) people know what earth I'm referring to!!:confused2: viv.
 
Re: Aprons

One of our neighbours had a heavy one for gardening and carrying things (she pronounced it "urden?"). Mum's apron pocket was always full of useful things. Two ladies further up the road wore what my Mum called Duster coats, they were flowery jackets gathered on a yoke to make a loose fitting overall.
 
Re: Aprons

My nan wore one but she always called it a "pinny" - pinafore. Is there a difference between a pinny and an apron?
 
Once again I have joined two threads on the same topic, could I please ask for members to check by using the search box at the top of the page that topics are not already on the forum before starting a new thread. for reasons already stated below... thank you
November 4th, 2008 18:21

There you go
folks....
"All for one and one for
all"
I joined three threads on the same topic into
one, saves repeated posts and web space for new topics!
 
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Duster coats were proper coats, but of a light material, the smock-type one Rosie mentioned were overalls. There are times when I have to use extra products to rid my clothes of the odd grease spot and I always think how much easier it would be if they were still around! A nylon overall (with flowers!) was one of the most useful things I ever bought. When the weather was warm I wore only undies beneath, but the blessing of them is that at the end of the day they could be washed through and popped on the line and they would be dry very quickly, ready for the next day.

I think the difference between a pinafore (pinny) and an apron, is that an apron is from the waist, like half a skirt, and a pinafore has a top piece and was originally 'pinned afore' the day dress. I think tapes came a little later. I may be wrong, but that is as I understand it. Victorian dresses could not be washed - even light ones were made of wool and they would have taken too long to dry (or not at all give our weather). They were hung out on the line to air. I was surprised when I heard this - that information came from the '1900 house' when it was on television.
 
How do those relate to engine room practice in the tropics. Dek. A boiler suit is kind of related...keeps the dirt out and good stuff in.
 
My not to old next door neighbour still wears aprons, in fact I bought her one back from Malta as a thank you present for taking care of my cat. Incidently as a BT Engineer I used to wear a blue lightweight cow gown. Eric
 
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How do those relate to engine room practice in the tropics. Dek. A boiler suit is kind of related...keeps the dirt out and good stuff in.

Don,t know how it relates to the tropics but it takes me back to when I started in the building trade only three trades wore Boiler suits,Plumbers Pipe Fitters and Electricians the rest wore the Bib and Brace. Dek
 
when ever I remember my mom, or nan in my minds eye, I can see the "pinny" or "apron" it was the national dress of the time, which had to include the headscarf tied into a knot in front.
paul
 
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