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 we 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.
I am in the process of making my oldest daughter an apron. It was supposed to be for Christmas, but I didn't quite make it. The fabric is a kelly green with big white polka dots. Maybe I will get it finished by St. Pat's Day.
Sounds adorable! I loved your story, and I love aprons... they remind me SO much of my grandmother whom I loved dearly. She made them for people for Christmas, and I actually have one that was her personal apron. Your daughter will cherish it. I think it's a wonderful gift. :-)
ReplyDeleteXO,
Sheila
Lovely!
ReplyDeleteWishing you and yours a Happy New Year!
Sandra Evertson
Thank you for the lovely story. I just purchase an apron pattern myself and want to create a few. Happy January! Jenna Louise
ReplyDeleteI love the story, my grandmother's wore aprons! Green polka dots, very cool. Hey congrats on being the winner of Stone Rabbit's 100th giveaway!!!!! woohoo!! And on a serious note, after reading your last post I am so glad you are the winner. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteI got that same email from a friend and I loved the info about aprons. My Mom and Grandmas all wore aprons as most ladies did. I have some of them and cherish them.
ReplyDeleteAmy