Aprons ~ Sentimentally Yours

Recently we welcomed Janet Young, owner of the former tearoom Over The Teacup to Sweet Remembrances to present a unique program on Aprons. Janet is a lively presenter and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the tea party and the program. She began her history of the Apron with a reference she found in Genesis 3:7 where Adam and Eve realized they were naked and sewed themselves fig leaf aprons! She moved along in history to the Wild West where long prairie dresses required equally long aprons.Aprons were quite utilitarian and were used to protect clothing, carry veggies, kindling, or eggs. Aprons where used to clean hands, as a hot pad, or to wave her family in from the fields for dinner. Not to mention aprons provided a place to hide a rifle, and to wipe away tears when necessary.

She continued the history of aprons through the 20's and 30's, mentioned the simple aprons and practical aprons of the 40's, perhaps even made of a flour sack to stretch the dollar. The 50's brought lots of colors and styles to aprons and reminded us of the TV moms that wore aprons such as June Cleaver. The 60's noted the decline of aprons, although you still might have stitched one in Junior High Home Economics class, they weren't necessarily used as often. Janet also included other uses of aprons, such as those worn by butchers, blacksmiths, etc. and the importance of an apron to protect clothing until the advent of washing machines.

This is just a brief synopsis of her entertaining program. She had patterns, both old and new. She covered the different styles of aprons and invited participants to share a story of their own apron. There were many sweet remembrances shared this evening. The apron Nancy is wearing in the top photo was a gift from her pen pal Mikako when she visited the United States. Another guest shared the apron her father bought her while he was in a VA hospital. She treasures both his thoughtfulness and the apron. Thank you Janet for such an entertaining evening. Wow! What a night.