January 16, 2007 11:49 AM
Hooray for Aprons!
You know you're onto something when you find your own idea resonating through the thoughts and writings of others. Especially when you find out about each other after the fact :)
First there was Hillbilly Housewife and Apron Evangelism, which I came across after beginning my Apron Power! contest. She is entry #1 in the contest.
Today a reader over at Kerflop directed Jessica over here after she posted on the significance of aprons:
I don’t think I’ll ever be Mrs. Cleaver, ironing in pantyhose and high heels - or ironing at all, for that matter. But having a pretty apron? I swear, it’s magical. I wear it when I cook, when I bake, when I clean. The apron seems to add a whole new depth to these mundane day to day tasks. When I wear it I feel a connection with my grandmothers and my great grandmothers and my great great grandmothers. Women who I know wore aprons every day of their lives, who worked hard, and loved deeply. Women who are part of me, and maybe even cheering me on. Women who I know didn’t feel oppressed by their roles, but lived vibrantly, died with honor and left rich memories behind.
Read the whole entry here.
Many women have written to say they are suddenly very excited about aprons and the legacy they represent.
A MommyLife reader alerted me that Kitchenmadonna has suggested a National Wear an Apron Day.
Is there a national Wear an Apron Day? If not then why not? Let's start a movement! I'm sure the Roman Catholic Church will one day canonize a housewife. I hope she has on a nice apron and not one of those uni-sex jobs which would just defeat the whole purpose. I mean saints have accessories - in art history they are called attributes such as St. Lucy with her eyes in a a dish or St. Catherine with her wheel- and why not have a nice tie around the neck, full-length apron with a few ruffles in a cheerful pattern? Our housewife saint doesn't need to be grim, she needs to be happy.
Several Apron Power! contestants referred to the legacy aspect of aprons - warm memories of mothers and grandmothers in aprons. You want to create those memories for your children too!
Many included their daughters in aprons in their entry photos. While the contest called for photos of moms in aprons, I did receive these two of the next generation in aprons of their own:
Angie on her daughter:
My oldest daughter (6) is such a wonderful helper around the house and she loves to wear her craft apron all the time. The other day she was sweeping with her apron on and I just had to take a picture to send you. I know the contest is for mommies, but I thought you might like to see the younger generation having fun with them too.
Yvonne on her daughter:
Hi Barbara,I finally got a picture of my sweet girl wearing the apron that I made her a few years ago. She has grown quite a bit since then! She still wears it though, she says she likes the shorter length of it now. Plus it has pockets! Perfect for carrying the can of dusting spray around the house as she cleans! She is quite a helper around the house, but I think she is a much better helper when wearing her apron! It really does seem to make a difference!
We also have so many aprons that were my grandmother's and my husband's grandmother's that we wear when cooking or cleaning. I always feel like I am stepping back in time to my grandma's kitchen when I put one of them on, which is especially sweet now that she has gone on to the Lord. Vintage aprons are a love of mine though, from way back, I am always drawn to them in antique shops. I have a friend, I wish I had a picture, who made curtains, in her mud room, for all of her cabinets out of vintage aprons. It is adorable!
Yvonne ;-)
Random Contemplations
I am so hoping that we can take back the ground we lost in the culture wars - so that we moms can be proud of who we are and what we do - and leave a stronger legacy for the next generation!
Posted in Mothering | Permalink
Comments
I have been reading your blog for some time now (shortly after you started your Apron Power contest). I never got around to send in the pics of my girls in their aprons, but wanted to tell you about a FABULOUS site called Kitchen Wears (http://www.kitchenwears.com. She has aprons that fit all sizes (I have a very large friend who fits into it comfortably). AND my girls (from the age of two) are able to put the aprons on and take them OFF by themselves (no more "tie me momma please." :) There is a sale page that has the BEST prices, but limited quantity and selection.
I have 8 of her aprons (2 adult and 6 kids) and I just LOVE them. The quality of the fabric (and sewing) is unbeatable! For the price she sells these for, you cannot get that quality of fabric and sewing it for less.
Just thought I would let you and your readers know. I will try to put pictures of my girls in their aprons up on my blog soon (although you can kinda see them on the recipe page where they are helping momma cook dinner).
Posted by: Paula | January 16, 2007 2:15 PM
Aprons are one of the most beautiful accessories there are! I love my aprons, especially the one I just got for Christmas. It is from BellaPamella. I got the "Thelma" and it is just wonderful. I can't wait to get another one. They are a bit costly for my budget but so worth the June Cleaver feeling I get from wearing it!
Until we meet in Heaven,
Mrs. DM Garcia
Posted by: Mrs. DMGarcia | January 16, 2007 4:22 PM
Hi, I recently found your blog via a google news alert for "aprons" I loved your apron power contest. What a great idea. My daughter and I set up an apron site not too long ago and it is starting to take off. We now offer over 25 styles of aprons for mothers / daughters and Fathers / sons. Our mens line is limited right now, but it is building too.
We are currently running a recipe contest. Where the winner will receive a $20.00 gift coupon to spend on our site. For any apron they choose. I thought your readers may be interested in that. You can see more information about the contest here http://www.ameliasaprons.com/signup.htm Contest ends Jan 31st.
Keep up the great post!
Lorrie
Posted by: Lorrie | January 17, 2007 9:31 AM
Barbara, when the contest is over, you seriously must post links to recommended aprons. I know you've done this before, but I want them all in one place! :)
You ladies have convinced me I need an apron. (Preferably one that doesn't need ironing...)
Kristina
Posted by: Kristina | January 17, 2007 12:37 PM
