I remember my mother wearing aprons ever since I was a small child. She used them to clean the house, cook, wash up, in fact everything! She would use the type that went over your head, down the front and back of you and these aprons would button up on each side with one small flap of material. That picture brings back memories of mum making apple pies in the kitchen! She was a naughty girl though and used to smoke too. Back then though, most people did, however this apron had two pockets on the front and she used to keep her cigarettes in them. She always told me that she smoked more whilst she was working... why, I’ll probably never know!

Then there were apron patterns of the type she would tie around herself at the back with two long ties so she had a big bow behind her. These were like the half aprons that she would wear when she didn’t need the added protection of the large type. I have one of these at home, not because I wear it, but more because it just reminds me of my mum! Sometimes I think to get it out and wear it but these days, I seem to use a tea towel to wipe my hands on when I am baking, etc. We can sometimes get a bit too modern in this world and lose track of everything that was meaningful to us but most of us would remember our mums wearing an apron.

Come to think of it, she hardly used to take it off! The only time I remember her taking her apron off was when she would leave the house to go up and have a cup of tea with one of the neighbors’ with whom she was friends. It was like a little ritual every morning either she would go up there or Veraher friend would come down to see my mum for a cuppa! Then afterwards, back on would go the apron while she did a bit more in the house. I am getting very nostalgic here!

Why don’t we use the apron patterns that are in plentiful supply and bring back aprons in a big way? Kitchen aprons for doing the housework, BBQ aprons for dad, even just kitchen aprons for home cooking, there is a good reason why chefs use them all the time! Then we could pretend that we are just as good as Gordon Ramsay! Without the F words of course! Truly though, even just writing this has reminded me just how handy having an apron is. It is also a thoughtful and unusual gift for grandma, who would really remember the days when they were used much more often.

Come to think of it, why not make one? They have to be the easiest thing to make and there is a free apron pattern to be found on this web site! Great Christmas or birthday present and if the kids are old enough to do a little bit on the sewing machine, get them to make an adorable home made gift for someone you care about!

Happy sewing 