Early last year I did 2 posts about hankies and was overwhelmed with the response. To read those posts click here and then click here). Hankies certainly touch a cord in our hearts.
At the time I thought it would be fun to do an apron post too, since they are both a part of family history for most of us. I began compiling ideas for that post and only recently realized that it never made it as a “topic of the week”. Oh well – better late than never đ!
I decided to begin this post with the story of an event that took place quite a few years ago. We planned a surprise birthday party for my mom and I thought she would enjoy a display of our family aprons. So I hung them on a clothes line along our loft. I attached tags with the name of the owner to each one.
The apron second from the left in the above photo was made for my mom by her mum when she was married.
The white apron with turquoise trim hanging where the railing begins its descent in the photo below was made by my mom’s mother, my grandma Irma. Mom told me that her mom made many of her own aprons and as I was hanging this one I discovered that it was never worn. In fact, one of the ties was never finished – and my grandma Irma’s needle and thread are still attached to the apron, mid-seam! What a delight to know that my grandmother held that same needle!
The story of this pink and blue one was so special I actually typed it up for the party. It says “Made from hankies by Ginny when she was in 8th grade for her Mom”.
Don’t you love the variety of color and style in just these few aprons? I still wear some of them, but most of the time I don’t take the time. In our era of casual clothes that are easy to wash – I think I’m just too hurried or lazy.
But in recent times aprons have become popular once again. I even made one for my granddaughter Sommer (click here to read that post).
My friend Juleen sent me this photo of a quilt she made for a friend from aprons that represented the months of the year.
Here’s her email:
“I had to do lots of math to make this come out correctly. If there was a pocket on the apron, I made sure it was included in the block. Youâll never know how many times I picked up those aprons and put them down before I could figure out what to do. Karenâs auntâthe gift giverâembroidered the month on each of the waistbands so I made sure to include that in the block. There were only 2 that didnât have a month so I embroidered them myself. The January apron was the worst. It was made of taffeta with satin ribbon as the waistband with a layer of netting over the taffeta. The netting was full of glitter pieces so I removed them and then put them back when the quilt was quilted. That block gave me the most problems until I finally backed the taffeta so it would be more firm. Once that block was done, I had no problems with the other 11. Karen and her mom were pleased with the result so I was happy too.”
Thanks for the pic and the story Juleen. I’m sorry it took so long for me to share it đ.
I’ve seen many hankie quilts, but not many made from aprons. Have you made an apron quilt? Have you made an apron from a new pattern for yourself or someone else?
And now for the rest of the story...
Prior to the party I’d been thinking that my mom would enjoy a big surprise party for her 75th birthday (She’s actually 87 now, so that was a while ago). Mike, Dad, and my brother and his wife, were on board with the idea, so I made up some fun invitations with the heading “Sakes alive Ginny’s 75!”
Well, a few days later mom’s best friend called me with her own little poem. When I answered the phone she said “You’re in a fix, she’s 76! Yikes! It was too late to change everything, and I will never live it down. But you can imagine how surprised she truly was when the garage door went up and everyone yelled surprise on her 76th birthday đ.
She loved the hanging aprons – and the entire party!
So… do you have an apron story you’d like to share? Please comment, or send photos to me at .
Shellie says
I’d love to know how you made the apron for summer. It looks easy and terrific for a child!
Juleen Jaeger says
Dear, sweet Chris! What a surprise to see my story in your post this week! I look back on that project with great joy because it made Karen and her mom so happy to see it. Karen was happy that she could still keep the apronsâjust use them in a different way. Thanks so much for sharing this.
Cindy Unruh says
Years ago I threw a bridal shower for my future daughter in law. We used old vintage aprons for decor and even made a bridal apron for her. My sisters and I searched thru antique and thrifts stores to find them. Wished weâd had old family aprons. What treasures those aprons of yours are. My mom and I each made her aprons to start her married life. She still wears them today.
Mickey Donahue says
I gave a program several years ago on aprons and used 2 books for reference that you might enjoy.
The Kitchen Linens Book by EllynAnne Geisel
A is for Apron by Nathalie Mornu
Another one: The Apron Book by EllynAnne Geisel
It’s a fun topic for a presentation to a women’s group.
Mary Miller says
I have a neice, who several years ago, asked me to make a quilt from her deceased mom’s aprons and linens. It was a challenge to make it work out, but that, to me, is part of the fun of quilting. I made it and gave it to her as a Christmas present. She was delighted.