Pretty Vintage Aprons
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
I found this awesome vintage pattern today for a Cobbler’s Apron. I’m thinking of making View 2. The pockets are roomy enough for floss, fabric, and a pattern.
Actually, they’re huge… I might be able to hide a small animal in those pockets – the neighbors better hide their cute little dog.
Sadly, I haven’t been able to locate a date on the packaging, pattern or insert, but a newspaper ad tucked in the envelope advertised 100% wool gloves for a whopping .88 cents per pair…
Vintage and vintage-inspired aprons ooze personality, and boutiques are filled with lovely handmade aprons in all shapes and sizes – both plain and fancy.
Fabric stores are brimming with unique apron patterns, and the cool vintage-style fabrics to stitch them from.
I’m thinking of embroidering the front bodice of my apron with basic surface embroidery stitches in DMC Embroidery floss – probably using a 1930’s style of iron on transfer.
It’s inspiring to see such a humble, utilitarian garment achieve such lofty heights! Once worn by ladies going about their daily chores, gathering eggs, or chatting with the neighbor lady across the fence, aprons have become a popular stitcher’s art form.
My favorites are the true vintage beauties. The lovely aprons shown above were featured on the VintageSue blog site – check out the cute rabbit-faced apron hiding center, back!
Apron inspiration abounds in the internet. SoVintage Patterns has multiple pages full of vintage apron patterns, as does OldPatterns.com. The Apronista and Apron Girls are blog sites dedicated to everything aprons. 
Check out these publications for additional inspiration:
The Apron Book: Making, Wearing, and Sharing a Bit of Cloth and Comfort, written by EllyAnne Geisel and A is for Apron by Nathalie Mornu.
Or check out The Best Apron Book Ever by Julie Johnson and Diane Schmidt and The Perfect Apron, written by Robert Merrett.
If you prefer cross stitch and don’t want to sew the apron, CharlesCraft offers a pre-made apron, complete with a free master chef pattern to stitch.
Find your inspiration – and stitch the perfect apron.
~Emma
The only thing my grandmother ever did that pleased my mother was making those aprons!! (1940′s and early 50′s). Mother LOVED the big, deep pockets so handy in the kitchen. Remember that with waste canvas, one could decorate on of these with X-stitch or needlepoint!!! Grandmother made them sleeveless.
I love that idea! I do have some waste canvas I would like to use, and this would be a great time to give it a try!