Aprons, Memories, and a Beautiful Poem

A few months back Mike and I went for a wander through a little second-hand shop, and I came across something really special — a story stitched into an apron. A sewing ladies group had made the most beautiful aprons out of second-hand clothes — each one unique, full of colour and character. They were $20 each, double-lined, and just beautifully made, so of course I couldn’t resist and brought two home with me.

When I looked inside the pocket of one apron, I found a folded piece of paper with a story printed on it — a heartfelt reminder of how something as simple as an apron once played such an important role in everyday family life. I thought it was far too lovely not to share, so here it is for you.

The History of Aprons – a poem by Tina Trivett

I don’t think most kids today know what an apron is. The principal use of Mom’s or Grandma’s apron was to protect the dress underneath because she only had a few. It was also because it was easier to wash aprons than dresses, and aprons used less material. But along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children’s tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

And when the weather was cold, she wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, she walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men folk knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that “old-time apron” that served so many purposes.

Remember:
Mum’s and Grandma’s used to set hot baked apple pies on the windowsill to cool. Her granddaughters set theirs on the windowsill to thaw.

They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.

I’ve always loved aprons myself — I honestly cook better with one on. I just feel like I’m ready to make something delicious as soon as I tie it around my waist.

I even gave one to Mum while she was visiting, and she really loved it. I know I’ll treasure mine in the kitchen for years to come.