For those who have drawers stuffed with beautiful vintage aprons and still have the urge to collect more, there are a few fun ways to use these versatile items to decorate the kitchen.

• A few half aprons can be tied side by side and attached to a curtain rod to make a fun valance.
• An apron with beautiful embroidery on it can be folded to fit a shadow box and used as a piece of artwork.
• If it has been torn, permanently stained, or otherwise ruined, you can use an undamaged part of an apron to make a potholder or tea towel.

Do you have any creative ways to use part of your apron collection in your kitchen instead of keeping it hidden away in cupboards?

Photo via amazon.com

Post from: Blisstree

Aprons in the Kitchen

The first apron is called The Dorothy Pink Apron, and it’s for sale for $39.95. It has pink polka-dot straps, with a pink ribbon on one side and big polka-dot ribbon on the other side. The bodice has pink stripes with a polka-dot trim belt and a front pocket with white eyelet trim.

The second apron is called Breast Cancer Sweetheart Apron which costs $42. This one features a polka-dot bodice with a pink ribbon on the top side, and 2 heart-shaped pockets with white eyelet trims. The apron also come sin Hot Pink color but I don’t think it’s for Breast Cancer Awareness coz it’s lacking the pink ribbon.

There are other cute retro aprons from Get Go Retro so check them out too.

(Images : Get Go Retro)

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Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Retro Aprons

The first thing I do when entering the kitchen is to pull my long hair up and back. Nobody wants any of that in their food. Yuck. I push up my sleeves and make sure that nothing is going to interfere with my work. I don’t use an apron, though. I love them and own a couple, but I somehow lost the habit. If you are a messy cook, it’s definitely a good idea to wear one. 

Here are a few cute aprons that I found at Etsy today…..

Retro Inspired Full Floral Apron
$30 at Pretty In Pies

Full apron featuring a handy front pocket and rickrack trim. One size fits most with the following measurements – top bib is 10 inches and bottom bib is 20 inches.

Black and White Noguchi Apron
$38 at Stone Valentine

Full length apron made from durable heavy fabric in a fun, bold, black and white graphic print.

SALE Apron – Amy Butler Ruffles
$25 at Don’t Look Back

Cute, half apron made with Amy Butler cotton fabric. I love the ruffles. This apron is 14 inches long.

Image credits: Pretty In Pies, Stone Valentine, and Don’t Look Back at Etsy

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Etsy Weekend Shopping – Aprons

The Apron Goddesses are holding a one day “Aprons, Aprons Everywhere” event today, Thursday, July 16th.  Bloggers are invited to take a picture (or a dozen pictures!) of their favorite apron.   You can add your photo, name and link to their Mr. Linky and then have fun checking out everyone else’s favorite aprons.

There are so many great apron patterns on the market these days too.  Simplicity has some real charmers, from the contemporary #2932:

How about a sassy retro apron?  This one is pattern #2592:

How about apron Christmas tree ornaments (pattern #2748)?  Actually, I would keep them up all year round

images: Simplicity Patterns

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Do You Love Aprons?

Father’s Day Motorcycle BBQ Apron
$20

This apron fits both large and small dads. It features two front pockets, including a drink holder.

Father’s Day Flaming BBQ Apron
$20

This apron features a flame print with a classic-car hot rod pocket midriff. There’s a drink holder to the side. This apron also fits dads big and small.

Image credit: Jazzy Gemini’s Shopat Etsy.com

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Gifts For Dad: Aprons for the Griller

Image: sxc.hu

Nowadays, in our stressed economy,  recycling garments has become popular once again.  Not because fabric is scarce, but because people can’t afford to purchase new.

I used fabric from old garments for quilts and for my daughter’s clothing many years ago.  It was fun to pour over the quilts and find scraps from sewing projects and family garments.

Nowadays, women are rediscovering this art of making quilts and clothing from old garments.  In addition to fabric shops being popuplar places to shop, quilters and dressmakers are pulling out the old fabrics and garments from their stashes.  They are finding these items also at thrift shops and rummage sales.

Have you utilized old garments for your sewing?

Related Posts:

Aprons in Art, Business & Memories mentions recycling clothing as aprons.

Penny Halgren’s Cutting Up Garments for Fabric gives a tutorial.

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Making Quilts from Old Garments

Sarah O. Green, of Mountain Ash Design, creates aprons from vintage and other recycled fabrics for a unique business that I feature at Home Biz Notes.  She also makes other items from these fabrics and older clothing that put her in the category of  operating a “green” businesses, as well.

Aprons that bring back memories seem to be making a comeback.  I also recalled that my first “clothing for sale” project consisted of aprons  I made to display at my mother’s general store.  Her store was in New York State and I lived in Texas, where my husband was in an Air Force pilot training program.  As a way to use my sewing skills for earning money, my mom suggested I stitch up some aprons she could sell.

My first sewing project ever was an apron with drawstring waist made from a printed feed sack.  My 4-H leader, Aunt Mary, taught me to use a treadle sewing machine with the apron project.

Do you have apron memories?  Collect aprons?  Make aprons?  Wear aprons?

(Amazon image)

Post from: Blisstree

Aprons in Art, Business & Memories

Collecting aprons of the early 20th century seemed the focus here.  You also could make aprons using patterns from this era.  Embellishing the aprons is another art.

My mom, grandmother and aunt, as well as other ladies of their era always wore an apron over their dresses.  In those days, most women wore skirts and dresses for housework, so used an apron to keep their clothes clean.  Then there were fancier aprons for entertaining.

Until I saw the program, I really hadn’t given much thought to the styles of aprons over the years, yet I recognized those from my childhood.  Most of the earlier aprons, were full length.  Many from the 40s and 50s had evolved into waist  length and often were fancy and frilly for hostessing.

Also, the fabric of the aprons was typical of each era.  So aprons are good sources of vintage and period fabrics for other art projects.

My very first item of sewing, other than doll’s clothes, was a drawstring apron made from a feed sack.

Do you remember the aprons of your life?

image: flickr

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Aprons As Fabric Art

I found a couple of really cute aprons on Etsy today. This one has a full circle shape skirt and a little pocket. It’s reminiscent of a 50s-style skirt (a short version of the felt skirt Mom made me for a 50s Day dance back in the day, only shorter).

The apron is printed with trees and flowers and says, “I Promise to Keep the Trees…Healthy and Beautiful.” Sounds perfect for Earth Day, doesn’t it?  You can find this apron and others at SpiceRak Designs.

Image credit: SpiceRak Designs at Etsy.com

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50s Style Apron

I was shopping at a local store and noticed the Halloween display…costumes, decorations, candy and more.  I remarked to the clerk, who was arranging items, that they seem to get earlier and earlier with Halloween displays each year.

He agreed, then added that they already had much of their Christmas stuff in the stockroom and soon would be putting it out!

Quilted & Patchwork Costumes

Then I began thinking…what about Halloween costumes with quilted and patchwork designs.  Have you done any of these?

• Patchwork/quilted fabric for costume garments
• Scarescrow costumes made from patchwork shirt and denim pants or overalls
• Quilted or appliqued shawl to accompany a dress
• Patchwork bandanas or neck scarves
• Patchwork aprons…I found these popular items (any time of year) when I made items for sale.

What do you make for costumes?

(Amazon image; click for details)

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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Halloween Costumes – Quilted & Patchwork