Let's Talk About Aprons!

[Bathsheba]

I'm surprised at how many people don't often/ever wear an apron in the kitchen! I know I am living in the wrong era (I'm an echo of the 1950's) but I really think a set of aprons would serve anyone well. I wear one at least twice a day. I started to wear one regularly soon after my first child was born and I realised that tiredness was making me clumsy and prone to getting stains down my front... meaning even more washing and time wasted changing before i could leave the house. So I started wearing them... and then i started making them (using my original apron as a template... sooooo easy!) and then my MIL passed away (she was in her 70's) and her whole collection of aprons dating back to the 1950's i think came into my possession! HERE is one of them. It's just a waist worn number. Most of my others go up higher to cover the front of my top. I'll upload a piccy when the gallery is working again.

So... tell me about your apron wearing/non-wearing habits!

[Kazbah]

I have a couple of aprons that I wear, one's a lovely country road one my mum was given but doesn't wear, and a bundy rum one that I got womewhere along the line. I like them for baking when I'm working with flour or roasts etc .. I don't really see the point of the waist aprons to be honest, as the benches are all above my waist!

Aprons are nice when wearing a jumper though, as I don't like getting my lovely wool jumpers dirty!

I do like the apron in your album there Bath ...

[Bathsheba]

Yes, it's a shame it's just a waist one (the one in that piccy) the colours are lovely... so 1950's... and it goes with all the tea-towels my MIL passed on to me too. Sometimes it's great to have a relative who hoards things! Her kitchen was like a time capsule!

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

I despreately want one - DH says I need to start cooking first! But I've been doing so much cooking since I was made redundant - he said the other day he doesn't want me to go back to work coz I'm so domestic now!

I might get an apron for our anniversary

[Rouge]

I have heaps of aprons. My fave is my Martha stewart full length apron. I actually want a new apron for my birthday, its on my wish list anyway, a Jesse Steele Apron.

[Liviam]

A non wearing here. But I'm being converted. I might even get adventous and try to make some. I'm learning how to sew too. Becoming a real little Martha Stewart here, LOL!! I've never even thought of wearing an apron and I'm definitely one who should because I make a terrible mess even making cereal, LOL!! I'm even going to make some for DD as she is very into copying everything DH and I do at the moment. Plus she'll look so cute in one, LOL!!
Off to spotlight this morning I think.

[Liviam]

What materials should I look at??? I have no idea and our spotlight customer service is less than helpful.

[Violet Star]

Very cute! The half aprons are making a big come back. I dont have one at the moment but im still looking out for a lovely one. Nurse D, martha is a true gem, I love her stuff.

I have an full apron for work though to prevent me getting dirty when doing some painting with kids.

[Janie]

I love aprons, although I only have a few. I could easily become addicted though, and start collecting them! Bath, you're a wicked woman putting these ideas in my head I love that 50s one, how awesome!

[Astrid]

Something I keep on meaning to get one or sew a nice one. Have a heap of calico, so should mock one up to get the sizing right. I prefer a full one, but I often find the top part moves to one side and only covers up one boob properly.

[Rivlas]

The minute my Mum got up she put on an apron when we were small.
She still uses one for cooking but it's now not on her 24/7.
She always wore a full apron as she spilt stuff on her while working. I have full aprons but don't wear them much as I don't get that dirty.
When the DD's were at school we did a fund raiser with full aprons made of blackout curtain material as these are great for BBQ and fat cooking.
My DH loves his as it keeps his clothes protected and it's OK to wear an apron while using the BBQ

[Lulu]

*sigh, I have to get a couple more but I think I will make them.

I did look around there are some try hard 1950's aprons around, but they don't try hard enough for me and just aren't the same...

[luna moth]

Ohhh, Bathsheba, WHY did you start this thread right after I went to bed last night? So I wouldn't hijack it with my apron-loving drool? lol.
I ahve a long one that a friend in Belgium gave me, it's my first one and it must never die! I wear it all the time, it's very functional. It's got two pockets so I've even worn it out to the shops once or twice, tuck a tenner inthe pocket and duck out to pick up whatever you need.
I want a more retro and frilly one though. I have a 50s kitchen to match my 50s lifestyle and second hand kitchenware collection.

For all you apron-making novices, check out made by miffy. They sell Apron making kits, to make it super easy for you. The fabrics are absolutely beautiful.

[NaeNae]

Bath - I have a beautiful mauve one the same style as the one you have pictured here. My nans sister made it for her years ago. Its my only one at this stage and its so precious as nan passed away a few years back. I have worn it once or twice though but everyone laughs at me

[nic]

My mum has worn a apron while in the kitchen for as long as i can remember....I just bought myself a Jesse Steele Apron, also couldn't resist getting one for my mum and for my DD. If you google for an australian website called cupcake courier, they stock some of them.
I am aiming to wear mine whenever I am in the kitchen as I am kind of clumsy with food going everywhere at times as well lol

[Roryrory]

I have a few aprons but one that I started making when Flynn was a baby (he is turning 3 next week ) is in pieces at my mums - I thought I could get her to finish it for me but it turns out she is more slack than me LOL!!

It has a full skirt (about 1.5 metres in the skirt alone, all gathered at the waist) with a bib at the front and ruffles on the shoulders.

That's it - I'm getting it back from mum to finish it off!!

[Bathsheba]

What materials should I look at??? I have no idea and our spotlight customer service is less than helpful.

I'd go for 100% cotton fabric... not too flimsy... has to have a bit of weight about it to resist dampness penetrating through to your clothes. A print can be good as it will camouflage stains too. I find that pale colours look better for longer. I go through about 4 aprons a week... and I have found that my darker ones look faded sooner. Buy "webbing" for the ties and around your neck... make sure it's not too thin. Like Astrid said: do a mock-up in calico first if you don't already have a template... or if you really don't know where to start go to an Op Shop and buy an apron that you like the shape of and use that as a template.

I find that wearing an apron can be quite flattering if you position the ties right... a full apron that goes down to just above your knees is quite slimming. If you have a larger chest then adapt your template so that it's wider across the top.

I think I'm going to make anothery this week too! I think seven would be ideal...

[Astrid]

Always go for natural fibres, especially if you will be wearing it around a stove. You do not want to go up in flames, or have some manmade fibre melt to your skin.

If I remember correctly fishmongers used to have woollen aprons, they were felted and I think may have still had the lanolin left in. The good thing about them was that they were "self cleaning" to an extent and were almost waterproof.