Grandma’s Apron

 When I used to visit Grandma, I was very much impressed,
by her all-purpose apron, and the power it possessed.
For Grandma, it was everyday she chose one when she dressed.
The strings were tied and freshly washed, and maybe even pressed.
The simple apron that it was, you would never think about;
the things she used it for, that made it look worn out.
She used it for a basket, when she gathered up the eggs,
and flapped it as a weapon, when hens pecked her feet and legs.
She used it to carry kindling when she stoked the kitchen fire.
And to hold a load of laundry, or to wipe the clothesline wire.
She used it for a hot pad, to remove a steaming pan,
and when her brow was heated, she used it for a fan.
It dried our childish tears, when we’d scrape a knee and cry,
and made a hiding place when the little ones were shy.
Farm produce took in season, in the summer, spring and fall,
found its way into the kitchen from Grandma’s carry all.
When Grandma went to heaven, God said she now could rest.
I’m sure the apron she chose that day, was her Sunday best.   

- author unknown

My paternal grandmother always wore an apron similar to those in the above pattern.  I remember as a little girl following her around as she went to the chicken coop, to the garden,  and back to the kitchen.  I can only remember seeing her a few times without her apron.

These days there has been a renewed interest in vintage aprons.  The Apron Book by Ellyn Anne Geisel is a great book loaded with photos of vintage aprons, stories of the women who wore them, recipes, hints and patterns to make your own aprons.  A fun blog to visit is Apronista where you can shop, gather info and find a list of many other bloggers who love vintage aprons.