Sandcastle on Balboa Island
Adds a special touch to your monogramming gifts. Enjoy our site and either e-mail or call us at (949) 723-5988
Fancy Aprons - $30.00
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Floral - Item # 531
Black w/pearls - Item # 532
Red - Item # 533
History of Aprons
Aprons have been cooks’ companions for hundreds of years. Indeed, aprons were used by men and women for a variety of tasks long before they were seen on 1950s television. During this era, women were portrayed as homemakers and good mothers and you rarely saw them without their aprons.
Some researchers point to Biblical references about aprons. They cite a passage in which Adam and Eve sewed together fig leaves to make aprons to cover themselves. We traditionally think of aprons being used for cooking, and while that is true, they have served as a cover-up for other tasks that tend to be messy. Occupations such as butchers, welders and bakers have always used aprons to protect both their clothing and bodies from their work.
For centuries, homemakers have used aprons. Even since the early 19th century, women have used aprons to keep their clothing clean. They have also used aprons to carry essential utensils such as rolling pins, for gathering and carrying eggs and for transporting kindling wood. Aprons have been an effective tool for many, many years.
In the 1920's and '30's aprons followed the silhouette of the dress - long, with no waist line. By the 1940's, aprons gained a cinched waistline, and were often gaily trimmed with rick-rack, buttons, and pockets of contrasting color. Many aprons were made from feed cloth. Feed cloth was a heavier fabric and was used as a sack to put seed or four in that farmers used. There was no wasting back then, when the sacks were empty,. the feedsack fabric was used for quilts and aprons. In fact, when the apron had "seen its day" and was ready to be tossed, the best parts were cut out and used for quilts.
The 1950's brought out the half-aprons of highly starched cotton, feedsack, and sheer ( a see- through fabric) trimmed with lace for special occasions. Also two- piece aprons and short smocks of bright cotton prints for every day use were popular.
At one point, Aprons were a serious fashion element, not just an afterthought cover-up! Today the more rugged utilitarian aprons are still in use. The old-fashioned pretty cotton ones are hard to find. The modern aprons are available in both printed and hand stitched designs in a bouquet of appealing color.
