Lazy J Bar C

Lazy J Bar C

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Wearing Aprons


I don't have a real extensive apron collection. The red one with the rooster was my dad's, he ran the Senior Nutrition Site and one of the ladies made the apron for him to wear while serving lunches. The denim one on the left Jerry just bought for me this past weekend. It has the Bisbee Farmer's Market logo on it and I'm going to start wearing it at the Farmer's Market on Saturdays. The second one from the right was the apron I made when I first started reading MaryJanesFarm magazine and participating in the forums. The second one from the left is a MaryJane pattern called the harvest apron. The entire yellow panel is a large pocket. I LOVE it! The one in the middle is my favorite apron though, and it is the one I have been wearing at the Farmer's Market for a couple of years. I even had to patch one of the pockets because I wore a hole in it carrying quarters in it! LOL!!

Since I now have a new apron for the Farmer's Market, I have started wearing my old favorite here at home for my baking and housework. There was a wonderful post floating around awhile back on Hillbilly Housewife entitled Apron Evangelism but, sadly, the link no longer exists. I was able to come up with a couple of quotes from the original article on other sites.

"One day Maggie, in the midst of a couple of vexing household/parenting issues, asked her mother for advice. Her mother told her she needed "a uniform or costume which would reassure myself and others of my intention and status in the home....It would remind me of my duties, inspire me to greater levels of cleanliness...and reaffirm my authority."

"Boy howdy, was I in for a surprise. In the mirror I saw a vision of the homemaker I have always strived to become staring back at me. Her cheery face glistened in the sunshine. Her hair tied up neatly in a bun looked authoritative and compassionate all at the same time. The apron covered several figure flaws and accentuated the fertile curves of the woman I saw in the mirror. This woman had purpose. She had status. She had clout. I stood there, contemplating the wonder of the homemaker that shone through my image in the mirror. “This is who I want to be” I told myself. “This is the Keeper of the home, with a capital ‘K’. ”

One of the issues I had with wearing an apron was where to store them so that I could get to them easily. Oh, and actually remembering to put one on!! ;) I just don't have any space on the walls in the kitchen for hooks so I got one of those over-the-door hooks and put it on the laundry room door so my aprons are now easily accessible.

How about you? Do you wear an apron? Do you think it helps to validate your position as the Keeper of the home to yourself and others?

Sharing with The Country Homemaker Hop, the Down Home Blog HopFarmgirl Friday, the Farm Girl Friday Blog Fest and the new Rurality Blog Hop with Madge at The View From Right Here.

27 comments:

Susan said...

This is a subject near and dear to my heart! I have my few favorites, as I passed my collection on to someone who will treasure them. And thank you for that great idea on where to store them! That is the biggest problem I have (other than remembering to wear them, of course!) My apron validates me as Keeper of the Dog Treats, as there are always a few in my pockets... :)

Woman Seeking Center said...

Great aprons on your line and such a cheerful picture! Isn't it funny how most every apron has a story like the one of your Dads'. Or an apron develops a story? (like your 'quarter pocket')... Kind of a fabric history :-)

I'm a long time lover of aprons, as was my great grand, my grand, my mum and now myself. I DO love the way they smooth out body flaws, lol. I adore the way they are endlessly usefully for drying hands, carring this and that in pockets - or in the entire lower part of the apron a lot of times, inside or outside the farmhouse.

I don't know if they establish my authority :-) but I DO know that if anyone is seeking me out about something or other they are much LESS LIKELY to interrupt on a whim if they see me in an apron! So at the very least it does seem to shout out 'seriously busy!!!!'

Thanks for a lovely post...

Issy PS keep mine folded in a drawer but I like your idea - a good one!

Tanya Breese said...

you favorite is beautiful....for sentimental value i love your daddy's apron :)

TexWisGirl said...

my mother wore one occasionally. back when she wore a house dress, too.

i like your favorite. the bric-a-brac is classic!

Our Neck of the Woods said...

Oh I love that quote! I've never really thought of it that way, but it's true. I don't wear aprons, but I love them. I have a couple and if I see a cute one I always have to buy it. But I never wear them! I think I might like the half aprons better. The full ones just seem to get in my way when I'm cooking.

Jan said...

The only time I wear an apron is to cut hair. I have two, one from Crabtree and Evelyn, and one from the B&N cafe. Since I don't wear them, I don't make them.

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh I love aprons yours are very special for so many reasons. I love having aprons and collecting 1950's ones and I must admit I only wear them once in awhile. I have no need to establish my place in the household I am the one with the stains on my shirt:)
I have a couple of aprons I have been trying to get made from a pattern but sadly they are still waiting for me to find the time.
B

Kathy Felsted Usher said...

Great aprons! I wear one but it's more like a smock that your grandmother might have worn, with no sleeves, goes on like a shirt but has snaps up the front and two pockets. I need a pattern but can't find one. I don't like anything around my neck that could pull and I don't want to pull it over my head since I'm typically wearing it before I go to work. Any suggestions?

Michelle said...

I have several aprons. I use to not wear them. but after ruining several pieces of good clothing. It has become a habit. My favorite would have to be the one Heidi made me. It is so pretty and reversible. The best aprons are always those that are handed down or come from people that care about you.

Anonymous said...

I LOVE my aprons and use them all the time. I'm a messy baker and wipe my hands on my hips so I need a big apron. This is my favourite:

http://sensibility.com/blog/patterns/ladies-edwardian-apron-pattern/

Lin said...

I wear an apron when I cook or bake. I like that it protects my clothes from flour and such. PLUS I look cute while I wear it! :)

Anonymous said...

I do like aprons and wear them occasionally. I tend to forget though. I love that middle apron!

Alica said...

My Grandma always wore an apron, but it was one that covered her fully...front and back, shoulders to knees...not just one that tied around her waist. I have a comforter that either she or my Mom made, which has patches that I recognize after all these years as being from her aprons.
As for me wearing one? I have one, but never remember to wear it! :)

Nancy said...

I have one apron made from flour sack material -- very basic. I wear it when I bake bread because of the mess... Love your collection Candy!

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Oh boy, do I. I have one for the Farmer's Market, one for canning, one for gardening, one for housework (which really needs replaced already). I have 3 hooks (the only wall area to put anything) where I keep all of the aprons (kids too).

Ngo Family Farm said...

Your apron collection is just beautiful! In the past, I used to only wear aprons on special ocassions like thanksgiving, when I was in the kitchen working most of the day. I've started wearing them more, though, and it is so true that I feel more put-together and "in charge" when I do. Plus the extra pockets really do come in handy. My little girl loves to put one on, and so we're quite the pair these days :) I have a picture of us together in our aprons - maybe I'll post it!
-Jaime

Judy said...

Oh my goodness, I absolutely love your aprons!! I'm an apron wearer and I collect vintage aprons. I even had a someone who had found my blog and she sent me her aprons that were handed down to her from her mother and grandmother. I couldn't believe that she would do that, but I have cherished them dearly!

gtyyup said...

LOL...LOVE this post!!

When I put my spurs on, I'm ready to ride!

So, it should work the same way with an apron...I put one on and I'll get the house clean...right?!? Can't hurt to try!

Anonymous said...

I LOVE your aprons... I love wearing an apron over my housedress... I've been thinking about making some new ones... Thank you for joining in 'Rurality Blog Hop #1' Hope to see you next Wednesday for #2...

born imaginative. said...

They look so pretty on the clothesline!

Michelle said...

Candy I messed up taking a picture of the mushroom soup I spot lighted on my blog. Since she didn't had one on her blog I had to borrow yours. If you don't want me to use it please let me know and I will take it off. Thanks

Janet said...

I only rarely wear an apron and usually if I am working with flour. You have some cute aprons. They make me want to make pastry from scratch!

The 3R Ranch

Sally in WA said...

Aprons do seem to be making a comeback, or is it just me? I like wearing one of mine when I bake or am doing a lot of cooking.

Art and Sand said...

I was looking for an apron today when I was painting and couldn't find one. I don't cook and I can't picture my husband in an apron. But, it would be fun to have some cute aprons on hand.

Anne Payne said...

I love aprons but only own one and I have no idea where it is. But I love your idea about the over the door hook! I'm going to buy one, and maybe a new apron :)

A Colorful World said...

What an awesome post! I love the old-timey aprons, and think you have a delightful collection! I loved the quote you inserted...that is such a beautiful tribute to the Homemaker. I have such lovely memories of my grandmother, great aunts, and my mom wearing aprons in the kitchen!

Kateri said...

I don't even own an apron. I should though--and wear it, too--as I am a very messy cook. Your collection looks quite nice hung up on the line.