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History of the Apron ( might bring back some memories)

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jake

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The principle use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, but along with that, it served as a holder 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.

jake
 
Aprons and Pinnies


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, 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 shed, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in a warm 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 a hot range.
Fire wood would be brought into the kitchen in that apron.
From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been prepared, it carried out the shells.
In the Autumn, 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 garden, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in for dinner.
It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that "old-time apron" that served so many purposes.
REMEMBER.........
Grandma used toput her apple pies on the window sill to cool.
Her granddaughters put theirs on the kitchen counter to thaw.





















 
Crossover aprons

Thanks for posting that Momma P it bought back so many memories of my granny who aways wore a crossover flowered pinafore at all times.
 
Louisa its funny what can spark a memory. I actually found the piece on the net and altered it slightly as I think the original was American.
I had an old aunt who lived in one of the flowered cross over pinnies like you gran she was a real grafter born in Bevington Road in 1901. She was born with a bad leg one was shorter than the other, she had to wear a built up shoe. She moved to Bournmouth in the 40's for her health where she worked in a Hotel as a cook, then she would go and work in a local cafe. I have never known anyone who grafted like her. As a family we would go and stay with her for holidays which we loved, she was very kind to us. I can remember being amazed at the way she ordered my Dad around, no one did that. Well I suppose it was because she was his eldest sister. I remember her asking Mom to fetch her coat from the wardrobe one day, I followed behind. When mom opened the wardrobe door my jaw just dropped, there were the most beautiful dresses I had ever seen flapper style with chiffon and lace. I suppose she must have kept them from when she was young. I only ever saw her in her wrap over pinny. God bless my aunty Ethel x
 
Aprons

I have to remind my wife to take hers off before we go out, it's like a second skin! she feels undresses without it.
Pete
 
Besides cleaning out ears, with a liberal measure of spit, it was also used as a general wet wipe for kids faces.
 
Momma P you really made me smile, when I read your posting. It's really good to be reminded of the simple things from your childhood. Although I didn't know my Birmingham nanny - my Norfolk nanny, did have that cross-over pinny, that had so many uses. If you go over to France, the older women still wear them. What a tale they could tell if they could speak! I still have my nanny's apron. Starting to develop holes around the tummy area - wouldn't throw it away for the world.
 
Aprons and pinnies

A lovely reminder of my mom who used to treat herself to a new apron each christmas .She was an amazing cook and took pride in her appearance,hence her apron to protect her best dress.
 
Great Patty! I like to see traditions kept up I will have to get my hubby one!
 
Lovely apron Patty and pic of you in it....best Christmas one I have seen. The Prosciutto and Melon looks delicious too. :)
 
I hadn't touched a drop John honest, my niece took that photo, apparentley it is the trendy thing to take your photo's on the slant got to keep up with the times John.
 
What lovely memories are invoked on this website. I recall my beloved Grandmother wearing a crossover pinny, it had small blue flowers on a white background (forget-me-nots so she told me) and bias binding around the edges. How beautiful she looked :)
 
The History of 'APRONS' (do you still wear one)
I don't think kids today even know what an apron is.
The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath because she didn't have many and 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, shooed flies away from sleeping babies and fanning it provided a bit of breeze on a hot summer day.
It was wonderful for drying children's tears, runny noses 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 or around the shoulders of the nearest child.
Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow bent over the hot wood stove, dried work worn hands and more than a few tears.
Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron. Crumbs were brushed from the dining table onto 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, pears and nuts 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 for 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 will remember Grandma's aprons and to those who can't even imagine today's women wearing one!

REMEMBER:

Grandma used to set her apple pies on the cabinet to cool after she baked them.
Her granddaughters set theirs on the cabinet to thaw before they bake them.
Scientists would go crazy now trying to figure out exactly how many and what kind of germs were on that apron.
I don't think I ever caught anything serious from an apron.
 
that was lovely. especially the bit about dusting the furniture when someone arrived. i remember my mom doing that many a time!!

thanks chris
 
Hi there.. Thanks for the memories of Grandma and I believe Moms wore one as well. Nowadays the only time I think of wearing an apron is when barbecuing. Oh and when we have events at church, the department I am a part of, Hospitality Department, we wear aprons when we serve refreshments or food.

The back in the day things that makes sense, just have been lost in the days now. :(

amber :)
 
Yes Mo I till do, my latest is a 'Grumpy Old Men One' I wear it when I polish the Bentley
 
That was great Mo. I loved it. I do still have one for emergencies !! Use it mainly to avoid splashes when frying anything and I have something good on!

Judy
 
I must check with the search engine first and at all times, right Wendy
 
Sorry Wendy, I do usually check before I post things especially birthdays and I didn't this time though. Checking is not fool proof either if we use a different name or phrase. Perhaps one of our experts can combine them. With so many new members maybe it doesn't hurt having some repeats as they will not have seen old threads and would not know what to look for or have the time.
Glad those that hadn't seen it before enjoyed. Mo
 
Sorry Wendy, I do usually check before I post things especially birthdays and I didn't this time though. Checking is not fool proof either if we use a different name or phrase. Perhaps one of our experts can combine them. With so many new members maybe it doesn't hurt having some repeats as they will not have seen old threads and would not know what to look for or have the time.
Glad those that hadn't seen it before enjoyed. Mo

Exactly Mo well said, I do it for the same reason.
 
My wife still wears hers every day, it's almost apart of her dress code!
As it's such a useful item i wonder how long before the EU will legislate about its shape and uses???


European Legislate No 123/8 Part 1
This item must be made from cotton grown in the Southern states of America on a managed estate.
All workers must have good working conditions with health care.
After processing the material must be sown with a stitchspacing of no more than .5mm.
The pocket must be 30cm long and 15cm deep.
Head loop not to exceed 45cm.
Tie straps not to exceed 45cm each in length.
Not to be used near a naked flame.
Do not allow this item to get wet.
 
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!

Great pic' of Patty in her's LOL

Chris/Pom
 
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I've still got my nans aprons, and I remember my mom wearing them constantly, and considering my nan wore them for years and then my mom wearing them, they are still in good condition.
 
My grandma also was never without hers, it would have seemed odd to have seen her without it, she used to buy them from Hawkins which was opposite the General Hospital, Hawkins later became a wine bar.

Rita
 
Thanks Chris, what would we have done if you hadn't decided to stay. x

Rita I used to go in Hawkins as I worked at the General, I loved the smell of the new material and can still remember it when I go into Fabricland here.

Some friends who came over a couple of years ago brought us a nice apron each, so I do wear mine and I still have others from when we were in the UK that I wear. When I was over there I wore the smock type which were great when the children were babies.

Loved your European Legislate Bilsat. Mo
 
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