Women of the older generation always wore an apron while working around the house. The main use of grandma’s apron was to protect the dress underneath. The same house dress was usually worn all week long and the apron would be changed as it became soiled. It was easier to wash an apron than a dress.
The apron had so many uses, it was for removing hot pans from the oven, cleaning a perspiring brow, carrying all sorts of vegetables in from the garden. The apron was used to bring in apples and pears that had fallen from the trees and wood chips and kindling fire wood were brought in with that same apron.
Women had good aprons and everyday aprons. The good aprons were were worn on Sunday while preparing dinner for company. When the aprons became faded and thread bare, they were worn for dirty work, like pulling weeds from the flower beds or cleaning out the hen house.
Great grandma always wore and apron, she would put it over her house dress each morning and she always had safety pins fastened to it. She said it saved hunting when someone in the family needed a safety pin. Great grandmother always had a pocket in her apron and if one of the children needed something saved they would put it in her pocket knowing it would be safe.
The generation of women wearing aprons is mostly gone now. With today’s laundry rooms, aprons are no longer as needed. Aprons had their day and served many purposes, now they are mostly just a memory to the present generation.
I always remember my grandma and my great grandma wearing aprons. Since moving to our farm I now realize just how helpful they are for all the reasons mentioned above. I usually have a tissue and a few legos as well in my pockets. Nowadays there are not as many families serving Sunday dinner, though I am thankful that at our church having company over for dinner is still practiced and I can wear a cute apron. My grandmother's aprons will always hold warm memories for me.
In honor of my grandmother I mentioned earlier this week that I am giving away an apron that I made from re-cycled denim. I randomly selected from those who participated in the giveaway by signing up to receive email blog updates. I use my version of this apron for outdoor work as it is very sturdy and somehow makes me feel a bit more girly when working on the farm.