Momo Made It Aprons!

I've been looking at the aprons at Joan's "Momo's Retro Fashions" for quite a while, drooling over the gorgeous fabrics, beautiful styles, and excellent craftsmanship. Not sure why I kept putting off making a purchase because an apron is like an essential mom uniform to me. It energizes my spirit and gets me moving! Anyway, this week, I finally gave myself permission to make the purchase. I don't know if it was the two weeks of rainy weather or the green grass and daffodils coming up everywhere that announced spring was here, but something made me feel like a fresh apron was in order - ASAP!

Before I could blink an eye, it arrived in the mail! And inside, such a lovely presentation... kind of made me feel like a domestic queen!

Beautiful! I love this fabric...

That card on the far right is a recipe for Whipping Cream Pound Cake. Looking at the ingredients it reminds me of the old pound cake recipes like my great-grandmother use to make... probably tastes like heaven and will add a few pounds to my hips!

I think the fact that Joan's uses fabrics that are fresh and modern looking but with a nod to the past, is what gives her aprons that special touch I was looking for. I wanted something kind of vintage or retro, but I didn't want to look like I was wearing my grandmother's apron, either. Check out some of these other cute styles and fabrics...

Can you tell I had trouble choosing one? I may have to get another one later in the summer! If you want to see more, you're going to need to go over to her etsy store and drool over there for a while!

And you know another thing I'm going to love about my new apron? Since it's made out of 100 percent cotton, the more I wash it, the better it's going to get! Soft and comfy, just like grandmother's. But this time it will be mine!

Apron Eye Candy!

Just thought I'd share some favorite apron pics from Pinterest! today. A country girl at heart cares little about shoes and a lot about aprons!

I gotta go feed the chickens now.

Why do you like to wear an apron?

All photos courtesy of Pinterest!
This post was linked to Farm Girl Friday

Apron Musings

Did anyone out in Bloggerland grow up wearing aprons in the kitchen? I didn't. Remember, I'm from the instant 'Tang' generation. Who needed an apron for that? However, I do remember my mother wearing one on occasions. But as time passed I saw it on her less and less. Perhaps because she had to return to work after years of being a stay-at-home mom. Or perhaps it fell out of fashion. Either way, it sadly vanished from the halls of domesticity.

A couple of days ago, I woke up after a poor night's sleep. I had gone to bed very late, then couldn't sleep, only to wake up earlier than necessary while it was still dark. I was definitely annoyed, anticipating a long day with many frustrating moments because of my lack of sleep and certain irritability. I prayed for grace and after laying there a while, I decided to get up and just plow on through the day as best as I could. I figured if I could just get through the day, I could go to bed early that night and get caught up on my rest. 


About 3 or 4 in the afternoon, I paused, amazed at the energy I felt. I pondered on this a few minutes and wondered what it was that had energized me so. Was it from my morning walk on the tread mill? No doubt it helped a lot. Was it the tennis shoes that kept my feet feeling great and comfortable? The Fly Lady swears by it and I think she is on to something here. Or wait...


Was it the apron? I had started cooking a bit earlier, somewhat reluctant to get to involved in meal preparations because I was a bit tired. But then I realized I was getting a bit messy and needed to put on my apron (sleep deprivation causes one to forget normal stuff). And now, here I was, practically skipping through the kitchen and pantry getting more invigorated by the moment! How strange.


The apron had somehow transformed me from a tired slave of kitchen duties to an energized member of generations of women that have proudly served their families. "Empowered" is so over used these days, but I can't think of a better word to describe the feeling I had.


What is it about aprons that cause us to feel so? Is it because of a common link with women over the centuries? Because it seems mostly a feminine accessory? Or is it because an apron is much like our protective armor we don as if we are a noble knight going into battle? 


Perhaps it is the fact that an apron communicates thoughts of delicious and nourishing meals, home canned foods, simple household chores, gardens, clothes hanging on the line, someone is home and always there for us, security... love.


It must have been all of those things. And I love it. God had used a simple apron to remind me of my simple, but profound mission.


Years from now, I hope my daughters have memories of me in my apron, cheerful and glad to be at home. Thankful to be a wife and mother. Grateful to serve. Laboring out of love. And I hope they'll pick up an apron, tie one on, and feel as I did.

Bella Pamela Aprons

I've recently discovered Bella Pamella Aprons. Yes, these are the cadillac of domestic uniforms! Vintage prints and styles are married with ingenious fit for a darling and yet practical apron. I've seen few others that are so well thought out and executed. A must have item for every adored mother. And if you order by December 19th, Pam's website says she can get it there for Christmas. Here's a sampling of her wares:

The Eunice...

I love the back on it!

The Katherine...

a crisscross back...

And the Nora...

A classic design...

My heart melts when I see these darling children's aprons...

So sweet!!

And to complete the look, a head wrap that Pam calls The Lucy Hair Snug...

If you need this shipped directly, Bella Pamella will wrap it in this darling package for an extra charge. Who wouldn't love this gift?

If my family is reading this post, I'll take the Eunice in the green Dotty Plaid Fabric!

In Search of the Perfect Apron

The more I wear aprons, the more I realize how useful they are. The more I find they are useful, the more I look at aprons to find the perfect one. The more I look for the perfect apron, the more I realize I'm going to have to make it myself.

I've been toying with the idea of pulling my sewing machine out of the store room for a while. Years ago I sewed all the time, but when the girls came along, some things got set aside. Sewing was one of them. Now that they are a bit older and wanting to learn to sew themselves, I think the season has arrived to give it a try again.

While searching for ideas for "the" apron, I've found lots of wonderful possibilities on Etsy. Check out some of my favorites. All of these are for sale; that is if you get there before I decide one of them is "practically perfect in every way"!

I love the vintage style, ric-rac, and fabrics on this apron:

I like how this one is reversible. If you spill something on one side, just flip it over for extended wear before you have to wash it:

This "earthy", yet fashionable apron is fresh and funky. Click on the picture for a close up of that cute decorative rosette:

This one is the most like me. I love the colors and the style:

The oilcloth fabric of this apron is very practical. Just wipe it off if you get something on it:

The fabric choice of this item makes it perfect for splatters, spills, etc. Plus it just looks darling:

I love the button on the side of this apron. Just add a buttonhole to your dish towel and it is with you wherever you turn. Now that is practical:

I noticed none of them had a bunch of little pockets for collecting eggs or a fold out flap for extra produce from the garden. And what about a cell phone pocket? I could really use that. My current apron only has one large pocket on top and every time I bend over my cell phone falls out! I did see an apron somewhere with a hook for your keys. That would be helpful, too.

So what would your perfect apron be like?

The Return of Aprons

Somewhere along the way women have stopped wearing aprons. At least is seems that way. Our moms used to always wear one and everybody had several so that if one got too dirty another one was ready at hand. I haven't researched this, but I'm guessing that aprons began to lose their panache when the feminist movement picked up momentum during the 1960's. I don't remember seeing hardly any aprons on women by the late 1980's. I  know they were out there, being worn by those few who refused to bend to the fads of the time and who knew a good thing when they had it. But the apron did not hold the same position it once had in the lives of women. 

Today if you asked a young woman the purpose for wearing an apron, she would probably just state the obvious - to keep your clothes clean. And she would be right, but it would not be a complete answer. It wouldn't tell about all the times aprons were used for holding catch-all items, gathering eggs, wiping tears, collecting peas from the garden, drying a dish, or cleaning a surface. Rumor has it that Susanna Wesley, used it for a prayer room. As a mother of 19 children, including John and Charles Wesley, she would flip it over her head in order to pray as children ran around her. 

After several trips to the dry cleaners recently to remove oil spots from some shirts, I decided to don an apron. Interestingly, I felt transformed, empowered, energized! I wasn't just a lonely mom in the kitchen anymore, but I imagined myself as part of a sisterhood. It was if I had a new status among women. And I was ready to work. In fact, at the end of the day, I was shocked at how reluctant I was to take it off!

Pehaps you, too, wear aprons and secretly feel fabulous! It's time to come out of the closet (so to speak) and wear it with pride. No more will feminists make me feel ashamed to be seen with fabric tied around me in beautiful patterns. I dare them to try an apron on!

A few of my apron fashions...  My favorite Funktion apron...

Another by Funktion...

This one I wear the most, by April Cornell. I love the ajustable button at the neck.

Other sites for apron fun:

The Apronista

The Apron Goddess