Top Vintage Collectibles - Part II - Vintage Aprons

29 March
Today I'm sharing all about vintage aprons in the second edition of Top Vintage Collectibles.

Top Vintage Collectibles - Vintage Aprons

Who doesn’t love vintage aprons?!


History

Aprons have a long history beginning with serving a very utilitarian purpose for the local blacksmiths, carpenters, and butchers (all men) who wore aprons.

They have 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 still 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.

Here are a few examples I found that I think are adorable.

Holiday and Seasonal Aprons


Source: eBay
Spring
Source: Catie Cat Vintage on Etsy
Source: Izzy's Vintage Garden

Source: Sharon's Antiques

Source: Sharon's Antiques

Apron Patterns

Vintage apron patterns are also quite collectible and those are sometimes more charming than the aprons themselves!

Source: Collector's Weekly

Source: Vintage Patterns Wikia

Source: I Heart Fabric

Source: Happy Day Antiques on Etsy


Display Ideas

If you like the idea of collecting these charming little pieces of history (the aprons or the patterns) but don’t know what to do with them… Here are some cute ways to display your collection!

It’s simple… just hang them up!
Source: My Crazy Life as a Farmer's Wife
Source: A Blog by Danielle Thompson
 Use them as chair skirts!

 Source: Tag Sale Tales

Hang then as curtains... and you can change them out for the seasons or holidays:

Source: Home a la mode

They would be cute on a clothesline in a laundry room.

Source: Ric Rac and Polka Dots
Make a sink skirt.

Source: My Domestic Bliss

And how about displaying a vintage apron pattern collection?

Make an interesting focal display.

Source: Crystelle Boutique
Here is a close up of how the patterns are attached to the embroidery hoops.



Make a curtain valance.

source: Mamie Janes

I have several aprons listed in the Little Vintage Cottage shop at a great price to start your own collection!








Here are some more interesting reads all about vintage aprons:

Country Living's article:



Who knew there was an apron museum!!??


So, do you have a vintage apron or pattern collection? How do you display them?

Part 3 will be about vintage advertising hangers!

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Comments by Blogger

  1. 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.

    I picked up a cute advertising hangar at an estate sale yesterday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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!

      Tania

      Delete
  2. 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!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks 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!

      Tania

      Delete
  3. 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:

    http://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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your comment! Wow; over 100 in your collection?! How awesome!

      Tania

      Delete
  4. 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your comment Lorna, I suppose wearing one would give you a sense of empowerment! lol!

      Tania

      Delete
  5. 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

    ReplyDelete
  6. All my aprons seem so boring now! I think I NEED to start a collection of cuter ones.

    ReplyDelete

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