Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Requiem for an apron

Many years ago – goodness, it must be twelve years or so – Younger Daughter asked me what I wanted for Christmas. I said I wanted an apron. She used her burgeoning sewing skills (she was about 12 years old at the time) to make me an apron out of a thrift-store kitchen curtain.

Oh my goodness, I loved that apron. I have used it multiple times a day, every day, for twelve or more years. In fact, I used it so much it was hard to find the time to wash it, simply because it was always in use and I didn't have a backup.

The result so many years later? One very worn apron. I guess 12 years was a lot to ask from a thin piece of cotton.

But it wasn't until this Very Big Hole developed that I realized yes, my beloved apron was beyond redemption.

So the search was on for a replacement.

Some of our dear neighbors at our last home had spent many years living in Japan (civilian-military), and the wife had a style of apron popular in Japan called a cross-back apron. I decided that was the style I wanted too.

Searching Etsy for something along these lines, I came across an Etsy Store called Stitched by Beverly. I confess her cross-back apron caught my eye for no other reason than I adored the color.

So I bit the bullet and ordered.

After a few weeks of happy anticipation, the apron arrived. It was just as beautiful in real life as the Etsy photos. Beverly is a talented seamstress.

Comically, however, I could not figure out how to put it on. It's very counter-intuitive. I even resorted to watching YouTube tutorials to learn the trick, to no avail. Our old neighbor used to slip her apron on with two graceful movements of her arms, but try as I might, I couldn't figure it out. (I'm not very bright at these things.)

However eventually I got the hang of it, and oh my I love this new apron. It covers my whole front, even better than my old apron does.

So this is my official requiem for my beloved old apron, and a welcome to the new.

I promise, however, to take better care of this new apron. In fact, even as I type this, it's in the washing machine. I don't want to wear a hole in it from sheer ground-in dirt as I did my old one.

13 comments:

  1. So, do you now have a backup for this one so you can wash it? You could sew a pretty patch on the worn one and use it while you wash the new one.

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  2. I, too, have worn out aprons. I wear them everyday. Your new one is gorgeous! I hope you enjoy it for many years.

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  3. My worn out apron had baby handprints printed on it.
    Still couldn't give it up so handstitched a compatible cloth behind it and color stitched by hand around each handprint.
    Good enough for a few more years.
    That 'baby' is now 43 years old. And so is the apron.

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    1. What a treasure! I just love those types of things.

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  4. I could never wear a regular apron. It always felt like the strap was cutting into my neck. Then I found the cross back apron. It’s a total game changer! I love them! As far as easily putting them on… hold the two straps in tension together across your thumbs. You will see this creates three holes, one for each arm and your head. Hope that makes sense. Wish I could attach a photo. Enjoy your new apron!

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  5. First of all, I love the story about your beloved apron, what a sweet gesture. There was a lot of thought and time that went into that gift!

    Secondly, I have a cross-back apron and it is by far my favorite, ever! Mine actually came from the store Market Place and I believe it was about $25. A gift from MY daughter who doesn't sew. ;)

    I wonder if you could cut out one of the chickens from your old apron and affix it to your new apron somehow?

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    1. Correction, the store is World Market.

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  6. I have 2 red aprons that came from Mcdonalds when my husband worked there over 25 years ago. Note: These were headed to the dumpster due to a new apron design. I wore these so much I would unconsciously wear it to the store for a quick errand and wondered why people came to me asking questions about where items were. My kids would laugh at me for this. I still have them but the stains are beyond cleaning. Thankfully they are a heavy muslin cotton and are not likely to get rips. That cross back one looks fantastic, will have to check it out.

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    1. Check out the site for Ritz dye ( or is it Ritz?) Anyway, I was there yesterday looking for an answer to another problem and they had a lot of info on restoring hopelessly stained clothing. A process.

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  7. Patrice, we’re growing lots of potatoes and thought I might try canning some. I see lots of internet recipes but thought I’d ask you if you’d canned potatoes-and if your family liked them. Thanks

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  8. I found a cross back apron pattern 35 years ago, my sister sews better and faster than I ever could so each time she visits she whips one up for me. I love them.

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  9. Yeah, the top and middle of that apron look ready for the compost pile. But that bottom panel looks redeemable. It's such a pretty panel too.
    I can see this going back to being curtains. Maybe cut in half with each piece framed out with sashing, then hung over a small window, OR, one of your pics turned into a poster. If you don't have a window over your sink it could serve as one adding the loving sentiment it always has to your meal prep and home.

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  10. Love my aprons too. They keep my clothes cleaner from splashes and splatters and keep me warmer in the winter. Wearing an apron I definitely have less stained and ruined clothing. I always get wet doing dishes but the my apron keeps me drier. Love them.

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