the zen of aprons

I’ve always been drawn to aprons. There’s a romance about them. In fact, there can  never be enough calico prints and ruffles for my bohemian spirit. The funkier the better.  But I recently read an article about the history of aprons, and I realized my love affair with this vintage custom runs much deeper than a ruffle fetish. 

The History of Aprons

(Inspired by Tina Trivett’s poem, Grandma’s Apron)

I don’t think our kids know what an apron is. The principle use of Grandma’s apron was to protect the dress underneath because she only had a few. It was also because it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and aprons 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 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 folk 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.

Send this to those who would know (and love) the story about Grandma’s aprons. Remember:    Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool. Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw. They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.

I don’t think I ever caught anything from an apron – but love.

(Download the article above here.)

Ready to help me bring back this sweet tradition? I’ve rounded up some of my absolute favorites. 

(Affiliate links included for your convenience. As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See disclosure here.)

bistro aprons

I love a simple half-apron, tied quickly around your waste in a carefree manner. Great for cooking, gardening, housecleaning, and even egg gathering.

statement aprons

If you harbor a Bohemian spirit, find an apron that feeds your soul.

minimalist aprons

Sometimes there’s no replacement for a simple apron in fresh linen.

The biggest compliment is a little share – pin the photo below!