Apron display at museum: Finally pictures are available

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02-05-2011, 06:02 AM

#21

JCquilts

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Join Date: May 2010

Location: Midwest

Posts: 527

Quote:

Originally Posted by Celeste

Thank you for posting these! They are fun and pretty to look at.
I'm trying to figure out what the sheer ones were used for. It seems that they would be awfully hard to keep intact with so much washing, and I thought the reason for aprons was to keep the clothes under it clean.

I wondered at that too, but my guess would be that they were used when serving a nice meal. More decorative than functional. Kind of like dressing up.

02-05-2011, 07:25 AM

#22

CarrieAnne

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Location: Whitewater, WI

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Thanks for sharing!

02-05-2011, 10:25 AM

#23

pgthom

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Join Date: Mar 2010

Location: SW MI (yes there really is a Kalamazoo)

Posts: 634

Barb/Frugalfabrics: the display continues through mid April, and museum is open 7 days a week except holidays. Specific hours are available on their website, in my initial post.

02-05-2011, 10:27 AM

#24

pgthom

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Join Date: Mar 2010

Location: SW MI (yes there really is a Kalamazoo)

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Quote:

Originally Posted by JCquilts

Thanks for sharing your collection. I thought I was the only one eho collected these old aprons. Isnt it interesting how small some
of them are?

For JCQuilts: Yes, I am a woman of substance, and some of the tiny ones won't begin to go around my waist and tie. Especially the ones from the early 1900's but also some from the 50's are very small.

02-05-2011, 10:30 AM

#25

pgthom

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Location: SW MI (yes there really is a Kalamazoo)

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Quote:

Originally Posted by JCquilts

Quote:

Originally Posted by Celeste

I wondered at that too, but my guess would be that they were used when serving a nice meal. More decorative than functional. Kind of like dressing up.

Yes, that's accurate. In some of the old housekeeping books, they reference "putting on a clean apron before your husband gets home". They wore the more sturdy ones for the dirtier jobs and then put on a fresh one before serving the meal. Some even advise "changing out of your housedress into a prettier frock".

02-05-2011, 10:31 AM

#26

sewer 55

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Join Date: Dec 2010

Location: MI/FL

Posts: 132

Thanks for the great pictures. The whole display sounds very interesting.
It's so nice to see all the great folks here on this board. MI seems to be very well represented.
Have only been on the board for a few short weeks and enjoy it so much. I have to admit, though, that it takes a lot of time away when I could be sewing!!!
Again, thanks for the most interesting information.

02-05-2011, 10:33 AM

#27

pgthom

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Join Date: Mar 2010

Location: SW MI (yes there really is a Kalamazoo)

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Quote:

Originally Posted by sik1010

Thanks for sharing--those are beautiful aprons! The gingham half aprons remind me of the first Home Ec project we had years ago...

Yes Sik1010: I remember making a dress in home ec, a straight skirted shirtwaist out of pink gingham. Side zipper, front placket with buttonholes. Quite challenging for a teen ager!! We made aprons before that, but for some reason I have forgotten what mine looked like.

02-05-2011, 06:37 PM

#28

Ileen

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Join Date: Oct 2010

Location: San Bernardino

Posts: 4,294

Thanks for Sharing Very Nice Love It!!!

02-06-2011, 05:45 PM

#29

jojosnana

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Join Date: Oct 2010

Location: Farmington Hills, Michigan

Posts: 5,626

How wonderful to look back at the fashion. I remember coming home to my mother and grandmother cooking or baking with their aprons on. Thanks for sharing.