This evening I read a tweet from My Heritage about an article at the emissourian - Society Pays Homage to the Humble Apron. After reading the article I began to consider which aprons have meant something to me in my life.
The first apron that came to mind was a green and white gingham apron that I made while I attended Jennings Public School. The girls spent many weeks making the aprons after making several preparatory obligatory samples. We had to cross-stitch the pleats into place and then cross-stitch several flowers onto the material and I can still remember how particular I was while sewing. I wanted it to be perfect! Of course, while the girls were making aprons the boys were in another room. What they were making, I can't remember, but I do have recollections of them basket weaving at some stage.
I was very proud of this apron but never wore it as I considered it was too precious. After a search in my camphor chest I found my apron, still in pristine condition after 40 years (Was it really that long ago?)
The first apron that came to mind was a green and white gingham apron that I made while I attended Jennings Public School. The girls spent many weeks making the aprons after making several preparatory obligatory samples. We had to cross-stitch the pleats into place and then cross-stitch several flowers onto the material and I can still remember how particular I was while sewing. I wanted it to be perfect! Of course, while the girls were making aprons the boys were in another room. What they were making, I can't remember, but I do have recollections of them basket weaving at some stage.
I was very proud of this apron but never wore it as I considered it was too precious. After a search in my camphor chest I found my apron, still in pristine condition after 40 years (Was it really that long ago?)
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| Apron made by Sharon Moore at Jennings Public School, 1970 or 1971. |
The next memory I have is not of an apron I can ever remember seeing, and probably wouldn't wanted to have seen and I certainly would not have wanted to launder it. The memory is of a photograph of my father wearing an apron. He wore an apron every working day for many years, from the age of about 14. After he left school he was employed at Anderson's Meat Packing Company in Wallangarra and became a master boner. He later was promoted to manage the meat works. I have vivid memories from childhood of him sharpening his knives.
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| Ron Moore, Anderson's Meat Packing Company, Wallangarra early 1950s. |
Thanks, MyHeritage for the tweet and emissourian for the article which has revived memories of two very different aprons, both with special memories.
You have conjured up so many memories - My Nanna's cross-stitched aprons, her utilitarian work ones, the apron we had to wear every day at school even when we were 17, silly BBQ aprons, dainty organza ones.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your apron - it is a masterpiece - would look good in a frame.
My grandmother was a great cook but I can't remember any specific apron but I know she wore one daily.
ReplyDeleteI have a similar cross-stitched apron also made while attending primary school!I have to say that yours looks more sophisticated!
ReplyDeleteAprons -what an unusual topic...it would never have occurred to me, which say something about me I fear. I've made a couple and appliqued them but rarely do I wear one. I love your cross-stitched one...good idea of Jill's to frame it, I think. Handcrafts are a heritage item from our female ancestors that we tend to overlook. Thanks for reminding us how important they are to memories.
ReplyDeleteJaysa, it must have been a common activity at school. Were they hoping to turn us into wonderful homemakers?
ReplyDeleteCassmob - it wouldn't have occurred to me until I saw a tweet and I immediately knew what I had to write. I suppose we don't know what triggers memories.
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely memories and what a beautiful apron you made. My school sewing never looked like that! I do have my apron that I wore when taking my first home science class at age 12 which my mother made to the school requirements and then to my complete embarrassment - beautifully embroidered my NAME on it! I was horrified thtat I was the only girl to have her name on her apron. But, I treasure it now.
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