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Thanks Lorelle!I'll post a piccy of me wearing it!
hehe
How many aprons do people think is excessive? ATM I only have 3 that are really functional... 5 if you include the decorative ones... I think I'd like to have 7 fully functional (ie with bibs) and up to 3 decorative ones for when i am being the hostess LOL Is 10 aprons excessive???
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My Nigella Lawson apron has just arrived in the post!!! It's fantastic... but huge! Wow... goes below my knees... it's my biggest one yet. The double pocket in the front is great. The fabric is very good and the pale yellow and blue and the designs really go with my kitchen. This would be a really good apron for extra curvy Domestic Goddesses... I guess like Nigella!
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where did you find the nigella apron?
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Peter's of Kensingtonrrp $80 I got it for $31 (that includes postage). I adore it! ETA: apron = $20 postage = $11
Administrator
That sounds very much like my Martha Stewart Apron....
Did you get the one with cupcakes on it? Good deal btw!
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This Nigella one has kitchen implements and foods (watermelon, pea pods, rhubarb etc) and is pale yellow with pale blue trim. Adjustable neck (buttons).... I might see what else she has in her range of aprons.... cupcakes sound lovely!
Administrator
Oh yes I think thats the alternative design, the cupcake one is pale blue and red I think.
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Well I think I need the Nigella one. I'm a bit disappointed with my Jessie Steele apron
. It's made from great fabric, is quite wide around the bottom, but the top is just too narrow. It is definitely not made for a voluptuous woman LOL! I am not voluptuous, and it's too narrow for me! I had thought if I liked it that I would get more, but now I don't think so. I will definitely use it, it looks great, but I'm not overly impressed with the cut of it.
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Janie, I noticed the same thing with the JS apron, being smallish across the front top area. My DD picked out an apron at the same time, and we decided against one of the children's ones as she is pretty tall, so we got her an adult one. Anyway, she picked out one that was a Chef's bib apron i think it was called, and it seems to be much wider across the top then mine...I actually prefer hers, but i dont think she will give it up lol...
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Well Nic, mine is a chef's bib apron! I can't imagine an apron being any narrower across the top, seriously. I'm spewing, cos I love the look of them, and was thinking about getting one of the hostess aprons, and maybe one for my mum as well.
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ahhh thanks for that warning about the bib being too narrow Janie... it did look a little small on the website. I'm not voluptous but i still like a bit of coverage up there. But what a damn shame!!! The JS fabrics are gorgeous.
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Just found this article about vintage aprons:
An Introduction to Vintage Aprons
There was a time, you might remember, when a pretty apron was quite a fashion statement. In fact, the nicest aprons were rarely soiled because they weren't worn while actually preparing food.
No, mom would have worn her working apron in the kitchen and then switched to a prettier version when she actually emerged to show off her culinary artistry. The wearing of the apron was a badge of honor indicating the lady present who had toiled over a hot stove to prepare a delicious meal.
Aprons as Collectibles
Aprons haven’t always been popular as collectibles in their own right. Those who fancied vintage linens might pick them up here and there, but you didn’t hear much about people focusing on aprons. Since the early ‘90s, however, aprons have gained popularity with collectors and other nostalgia buffs, which isn't surprising. Some of the most endearing collectibles are those that take us back in time to another era.
Some people find the June Cleaver association to be charming, viewing aprons as symbols of Mom's loving gestures straight from the 1950s kitchen. Others, with a more liberated view point, see aprons as utilitarian linens that once put women in their proper place in the home. This notion takes us back as far as the time when aprons were first used right through the mid-1960s.
It doesn't matter what got them to actually notice vintage aprons in the first place, what most people find really surprising about them is the sheer variety available on the secondary market. From hand sewn and embroidered versions to mass-produced souvenir aprons featuring popular tourist destinations, there's an apron out there that will appeal to most everyone.
The Oldest Collectible Aprons
From about 1880 through the 1940s, chicken feed and large quantities of flour arrived in cotton sacks that would eventually be fashioned into new aprons and other garments for the lady of the house. The cotton cloth that made up these bags was durable enough to stand up to rough handling, yet pretty enough to be considered attractive. The older bag fabrics were plainer in nature, featuring mainly solid colors. But by the '30s and '40s colorful floral patterns dominated feed sack motifs.
The oldest aprons collectors seek these days were made during the Victorian era. These styles, made of course weave material, often served as an artistic canvas to showcase delicate crochet work and other needle crafting skills. Aprons were popular handmade gifts during this time as well, which led to an abundance being produced and worn.
Victorian styled aprons were also long enough to cover the dresses of the day and were generally pinned into place rather than tied. Aprons made of black fabric were worn by ladies in mourning, but these were often decorated with black lace and embroidery as well. Donning a white apron during such a somber time would be inappropriate, but a black apron didn’t have to be ugly.
Styles Change with the Times
The custom of an apron covering the top half of the body in a bib style continued through the 1920s, although the aprons made then tended to have more colorful trim work and matched the knee length dresses worn at the time. Later into the 1920s, half aprons became popular while some bib aprons were still being worn.
Although half aprons didn't use nearly as much fabric as the older versions, they were still beautifully designed. Even during the depression era, when fancy fabrics were in short supply, ladies embellished simple aprons with lovely embroidery.
The World War II years found homemakers faced with war rations. They were again required to “make do” with hand crafted kitchen accessories, including aprons, to support the war effort.
New Fabrics and More Choices
When the war years passed new fabrics like polyester and rayon were introduced to homemakers. These new fabric choices offered more colors and designs than ever, and they required little or no ironing to look crisp and new. Aprons were popular gift items once again, and frequently served as souvenirs for travelers to take back home to friends and loved ones.
At this time ladies could buy aprons already made, or easily stitch one up using a pre-printed pattern (which are collectible as well). It wasn't uncommon to find an apron drawer in a kitchen filled with styles for everyday use, comical designs for barbecuing and Christmas themed versions as well. Plastic bib aprons were also popular during this time, and collectors will pay dearly to own them in excellent condition.
With so many different aprons being used during the 1950s, it's really not surprising that these are much easier to find than the older versions. After all, fabrics made at the last turn of the century have been discarded and deteriorated over time, and cloth items produced during the '30s and '40s were generally used until they were worn out or turned into dust rags. Nothing went to waste.
Of course, items still in abundance are usually inexpensive so that’s welcome news for budding apron collectors. And since apron collecting is a rather new field, there are still many bargains to be found in the $5-15 range. See what you can find, and tie one on!
Vintage Apron Price Points
* Clear plastic full ruffled apron with yellow floral decor, 1950s - $260.55
* Plastic apron decorated with pink roses, mint in package, 1950s - $100
* Santa & Reindeer Christmas half apron, 1950s - $31
* California souvenir map half apron, 1950s - $20.77
* Bib style feedsack apron with pink roses, 1930s - $18.49
* Las Vegas hostess half apron with hotel names, 1950s - $16.50
(eBay prices realized 12/06) About.com
Administrator
Also ladies don't forget etsy, they have some great aprons and if you are curvy you'll find that a lot of the stores will do custom designs, with the most gorgeous fabric, that still curves to your body and has lots of frills and even the sweetheart design...
Some cute ones I saw the other day were from... carolyns kitchen online
She even does MATCHING GLOVES or if you're so inclined... matching garters
Bath thats an awesome article!
Noticed in the Spotlight brochure (End of clearance sale) until Sunday 2nd August, there is a Cotton full adult Apron & matching design Tea-towel for only $9.95 the SET
... Some are funky designs ( i love the coffee pot one)
(P.S - Have corrected error)
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Oooh thanks for that tip Lorelle
Moderator
Worked out I need a gardening apron. Will almost need to be a full body one as I need to protect my clothes from baby gumboots. I kept on finding mud (and sometimes poo) in the middle of my back from picking bubs up when outside.
Astrid ... Whoops so sorry my mistake
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Oh, I hope the QLD spotlight has the same special going...
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