Aprons: Part Two

After World War II, the 40's and 50's became the heyday of the apron!

With social changes women gave up their jobs and returned to the home. Being a homemaker was a most honorable profession.

1940's

1940's hankie apron

1950's

Then the 60's came and women's views and focus changed from the inner home to the outside world. Civil and women's rights came to the forefront. Glorified housework went out and so followed the apron only to be worn as an accessory.

1960's

In the 70's, women were once again wearing aprons that were cute. Feeling fine with a profession, they would don an apron only for profession-work outside the home.

1970's

Had aprons reached a point of only being viewed as an accessory only for the homemaker?
Was it to be tossed aside?

Fortunately in the last few years there has been an apron revival. I am thankful, there is nothing more delightful than to put on a vintage or even a new apron!

I think they should be cherished, for they speak of our creativity and resourcefulness as women in today's world.

So..."Let's get to work"! but in a pretty and stylish way...

My aprons that hang in my studio- vintage and new!

Aprons: Part One

National Apron Day is May 14!
Wear your aprons with Pride!

Each day when I walk into my studio, I put on one of my favorite aprons. To me the act of wearing my apron says "Let's get to work"...but in a pretty and stylish way.
Growing up, I missed the height of the apron era- 40's and 50's. Still I find a deep "tie" to aprons. Maybe it is the fabric...maybe it is their connection with house and home...maybe it is the uniform for work.

When I put my apron on I feel transformed ready to take on what ever is thrown at me! I also wear one to protect whatever I am wearing underneath.
So when did this need for aprons start?
People began wearing aprons in the 13th century, mostly for protective wear for planting, plowing, cleaning, and to wipe their hands while eating.
By the 16th century, aprons had turned from protective wear to a fashionable and decorative accessory with embroidery, lace, and ribbons.
Throughout the 17th century and into the 19th century, aprons remained popular. This happened mainly because it was a fashion statement rather than practical.
The first part of the 20th century brought an easier life with more bought goods. People did not have the need to protect their clothing.

Women were doing less handwork on their aprons, insetead choosing to spend their time supporting the suffragist movement and other social issues of the time.

By the 1920's women were wearing more delicate aprons made of silk, linen, organza, and other fine fabrics. Embroidery was back in favor.

In the 30's, aprons were again used for hard work. Fabric was costly and women would wear their aprons until htey were threadbare protecting their costly dresses.

Next week Aprons- 1940's through today!

My Honey's 50th!

Special Note: Click on Blue to go to link...

My husband,turned 50 in April and I had to do something! Since our house is small and we have the BIG family and great friends- I decided to do two parties.

The family party was on his actual birthday. We did pizza and salad with cake... it was relaxed and intimate.

So now for the neighbors...those crazy folks...
I decided to do an Asian theme (ha! you could of guessed that!). In the invitation I asked people, in lieu of a gift, to make and bring paper or fabric fortune cookies with their wishes tucked inside.

The bowl of hand-made fortune cookies

I decorated the house with paper lanterns and lily flowers.

Table center pieces with lilies in take-out container "vases"

I chose an Asian menu and had a buffet-style eating out of take-out Chinese containers:

Appetizers: Potstickers, Egg rolls, Edamame, and Popcorn.
Entrees: Thai-style salad, Soy braised chicken wings, Curried Shrimp, and Green Beans with oranges.
Dessert: My friend Kathy from Cupcakes Rule did the cupcakes!

I found most of the recipes from this book- fairly easy to do...

Favorite Brandname Chinese Cookbook

We are so fortunate to have great friend-neighbors, Frank & Gysela, they are trained chefs and stepped in and helped me with all the cooking of the food during the party! So my job ended up being socializing and keeping an eye on Frances- their two year old daughter- not bad duty for me.

Frances and me- who is more excited about the cupcakes!?

Scuba friends Mike & Bob (peeping in) with Mark's sister Mary and me...

Brother Bob and me. Gysela with Carey & Brandy.

Ray (cupcake Kathy's husband) Fred with Mary Lou with Paul & Niki seated

Sandi & Ben. Frank and Jeff

Steve & Barb with Sue & Don
Mike & Leigh with David & Kevin

It was such a fun time and Mark had a wonderful birthday surrounded by people he loves!

Birthday Boy Mark and Princess Frances!

Pincushion History

I have always loved Pincushions and without realizing it I have been collecting them for some time!
I now have a nice little collection from vintage to new and ones that I have designed and made.

Some of my crocheted and silk vintage pincushions

As early as the 1300's pins were carried around in a pouch. Metal pins were very costly and hard to find. So a special container was important! During the 1400's carriers came into fashion.

These early pins carriers were made of ivory, bone, or silver. At the time names such as pin keeper, pin case, pin poppet, and tuffet were popular.

At the beginning of the 1700's pin-pillows came into use. Usually delicately embroidered and made from finer fabrics such as linen, canvas, or satin. Hanging ball pincushions were found in many parlors. Soon pin pillows evolved into mounted cushions. Silver or wooden stands were topped with these cushions.

Pincushions from the 1600's through the 1800's pincushions were most popular and were more decorative. On some the pins were the decoration.
At this time pincushions came in the forms of eggcups, baskets, china, metal, and glass.

During the early 1900's pincushions became useful sewing aids. Clamp pincushions were decorative and functional. They would be screwed onto a table edge and also would help hold fabric in place.

One of the most well recognized is the tomato. People believed that placing a tomato in the entree area of their home would bring prosperity . Since tomatoes, at that time, were not available year round, people would make red balls of fabric stuffed with straw or sawdust. These would eventually be used as pincushions!

My silk vintage tomato pincushion with steel pins-
more orange than red!

In today's world, pincushions play an important part of our sewing history and a collectible that comes in many, many forms!

more about Pincushions to come in near future ...