Collecting Vintage Aprons
29 March
I'm guessing if you're reading my blog or you've found your way to this post, that you love vintage just as much as I do 😊
They evolved over time to include pioneer women wearing very plain aprons that also had utilitarian purposes like gathering fruits and vegetables from the garden, eggs from the chicken coop, and logs for the fire.
Later, while they had very practical purposes, women started giving their aprons more personal touches like embroidery, pretty printed fabric, and different trims and designs. Often a woman had a “work apron” and an apron she wore for company or special holidays and occasions (hostess aprons).
Source: unknown
Source: Modern Kiddo - Tie One On For The Holidays! Vintage Hostess Aprons
If you like the idea of collecting these charming little pieces of history but don’t know what to do with them, here are some cute ways to display your collection!
Source: My Crazy Life as a Farmer's Wife
Source unknown
Source: Tag Sale Tales
Source: Home a la mode
Source: Ric Rac and Polka Dots
Vintage apron patterns are also quite collectible and those are sometimes more charming than the aprons themselves!
Make a curtain valance.
I have sold many aprons in my Etsy shop shop over the years! Here are just a few. Check out Etsy for hundreds of vintage apron choices!
And if you love vintage, then you've probably got some collections of the vintage items that you love the most.
This post is all about vintage aprons... a little bit of history about them, collecting and displaying them.
Collecting Vintage Aprons
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Some History About Aprons
Don't worry, I won't bore you too much with a history lesson 😉 but I think it helps to appreciate vintage aprons if you understand how far they've come.
Aprons have a long history beginning with serving a very
utilitarian purpose for the blacksmiths, carpenters, and butchers (all
men) who wore aprons.
They evolved over time to include pioneer women wearing very plain aprons that also had utilitarian purposes like gathering fruits and vegetables from the garden, eggs from the chicken coop, and logs for the fire.
Later, while they had very practical purposes, women started giving their aprons more personal touches like embroidery, pretty printed fabric, and different trims and designs. Often a woman had a “work apron” and an apron she wore for company or special holidays and occasions (hostess aprons).
Here are a few examples that I think are adorable.
Holiday Aprons
An apron collection can be limited to only vintage Christmas aprons to keep it more manageable 😉
This vintage Santa and snowman apron is so cute!
This one is a perfect example of a hostess apron. It's not really something you want to wipe your hands on, but it was perfect for wearing when company was coming for dinner!
I don't think I've ever seen a Thanksgiving apron but this one with the turkey is perfect!
Source: eBay
Spring Aprons
This one has a 1970s feel to it. I love the little ruffle!
Apron Display Ideas
If you like the idea of collecting these charming little pieces of history but don’t know what to do with them, here are some cute ways to display your collection!
Hang them up!
Don't they look pretty hanging in a group like this? Group them by color and they are a nice decorative accent.
Or you can cover a whole wall with them!
Use them as chair skirts!
Hang them as curtains (you can change them out for the seasons or holidays too).
Use a tension rod and tie them on with the apron strings.
Here's a cute idea with a hand-painted clothesline (cute for a laundry room).
Make a sink skirt.
Apron Patterns
Vintage apron patterns are also quite collectible and those are sometimes more charming than the aprons themselves!
Displaying Apron Patterns
Make an interesting focal display. The patterns used in these pictures are not apron patterns but wouldn't that be cute?!
Source unavailable
Here is a close-up of how the patterns are attached to the embroidery hoops. You could use photocopies if you don't want to use the original patterns.
So, do you have a vintage apron or apron pattern collection? How do you display them?
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Posted by: Tania | Little Vintage Cottage
at 29 March
Tag:
Everything Else
I love aprons in general and have several. I'm always looking for them at estate sales. I like the idea of hanging them on a clothes line to display.
ReplyDeleteI picked up a cute advertising hangar at an estate sale yesterday.
Thanks for your comment Kim. I only have one right now, hanging on the front of my washing machine but I may have to start collecting them after writing this post! LOL!
DeleteTania
I love the old apron patterns. I have a small collection of aprons, only a couple old ones, and some new ones I bought when my children were young and I cooked all the time. My daughter and I used to love putting our aprons on and making desserts!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment Joy! I have my very first apron but since it's from the seventies it's kind of bright and a little bit gaudy compared to these! lol!
DeleteTania
I love, love, love vintage aprons! In fact, I have a couple of the ones you have featured here and here is how I display mine:
ReplyDeletehttp://deniablydomestic.blogspot.com/2012/12/winter-sunshine.html
I have over a hundred vintage aprons! I am not sure if I should be proud of this or sign up for one of those hoarder shows. Yikes!
Thank you for such a great post. ~Kelly
unDeniably Domestic
Thank you for your comment! Wow; over 100 in your collection?! How awesome!
DeleteTania
Oh I think that I love all of those aprons - I agree the patterns are super cute. I keep my aprons hung on the back of the pantry door, I wear one everyday, makes me feel more in charge and ready to tackle my chores.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment Lorna, I suppose wearing one would give you a sense of empowerment! lol!
DeleteTania
Love this post Tania! The apron displays are too cute! I wanted to let you know you are showing up as a no reply commenter in my e-mail. I didn't know if anyone had let you know yet. Should be opening the shop sometime this week...:) I'll let you know! Have a great week....Vicky
ReplyDeleteAll my aprons seem so boring now! I think I NEED to start a collection of cuter ones.
ReplyDeleteI loved this post! Vintage aprons are so charming and full of history. The display ideas are creative and inspiring—I especially like the curtains and chair skirts. Thanks for sharing your passion and tips. Now I’m tempted to start my own vintage apron collection!
ReplyDeleteclipping path service
Thank you!
Delete