Aprons a Hundred Years Ago

My friend, Sheryl, came into possession of her late grandmother's diary, dated 1911-1914.  Her grandmother, Helena Muffly (Swartz), was 15 years old when she began her diary.  Sheryl posts her grandma's entries one day at a time, exactly 100 years after Helena Muffly wrote them.  Sheryl also posted a photo of the farm where her grandmother was raised in Central Pennsylvania near McEwensville.  I especially loved 16-year-old Helena Muffly's December 1, 1911, writing:

"The dying year around us a glory sheds

December with her pleasures breaks upon the scene,

Around our hearts a happy gladness lies

Christmas is coming with her laurels of green."

"Didn't have school today.  Had a notion to go a visiting, but then didn't, as I had some particular work which I wanted done.  Well, as Thanksgiving is over, I am looking forward to Christmas, hoping some pleasant surprises await me.  Vice versa of January 31."

The first day of each month Helena wrote a poem in her diary.  It is not known whether she composed the poetry, or if she copied the beautiful words from a book.  Either way, what a lovely way to begin the month.

Comments made 100 years later, December 1, 2011, by her granddaughter, Sheryl:

"I wonder if Grandma was planning to make any gifts for family or friends. If she wanted to make aprons, she could have ordered patterns from Ladies Home Journal.

According to a December, 1911, article called the “The Pretty Christmas Apron:”  Sheryl included the following beautiful images of aprons, as published by the December 1911 issue of Ladies Home Journal:

"Odds and ends of the piece-bag and remnants from the bargain counter may be utilized to make these pretty aprons."

(Permission was granted to write this blog article about Helena Muffly and use the lovely apron photos by Sheryl Lazarus.  They are from her site, A Hundred Years Ago (Click on highlighted web site to visit Sheryl.)  She would be happy to hear from you!  Sheryl brings every day's entry to life by testing her grandmother's recipes, taking new photos of old locations, sharing stories, etc.  She relives each day as if her grandma were still here with her, and what a joy it must be to feel the heart, emotions, and thoughts of a wonderful grandmother who lived not that long before her.

Vintage Red and Green Buttons and Christmas Aprons Instill the Holiday Spirit

With just five more days until Christmas, my "Spring Room" dress forms have been blessed with a few Christmas Aprons for the holiday.  Red and green vintage buttons are displayed with these lovely aprons, complementing one another in both their art and history.  For your (and my) enjoyment, here is a start at displaying some of my Christmas aprons and colorful vintage buttons.

 Does this vintage Christmas apron ring a bell with you?  With red felt bells and real metal ringers at the bottom, this organdy apron is typically 1950's.

 This is an 18th century enamel, paste, and silver button.  Red, bold, and beautiful! 

Lovely linen mid-century apron embellished with cross stitched holly berries and a lacy lower border.  This apron complements my 1930's feed sack dress, still somewhat unfinished, but stunningly beautiful.

Fascinating piece of history, this amazing antique red and green enameled button represents Napoleon Bonaparte, 8/15/1769 - May 5, 1821 - a French military and political leader during the latter part of the French Revolution. 

These red and white or green and white gingham apron may have been worn during the Christmas season in the 1930's to 1950's.  They are embellished with white Teneriffe Lace, which is needlewoven lace made from a spokes-of-wheel shape.  In the 30's and 40's this lace was also known as Polka spiderweb Lace.This lace appears to originate in the Canary Islands (Spain), specifically on the island of Teneriffe. Pins are inserted in a block of wood and the spokes of the wheel are wound around. Then a needle is woven in between the spokes forming the wheel or "sun."

And here is a stunning "Gay 90's" button, or "Victorian Jewel," which were jeweled coat or cloak buttons.  Ornate borders and the prominent central "stones," which are glass, are characteristic of this type, because they evoke the extravagance and excess associated with fin-de-siecle society (a specific time period, in this case the late 1800's, in Europe and France, marked with anticipation of the closing of a century or specific period of time in cultural change).  Most of these buttons were made in France, although a number have been found with German makers' marks.  (Ref: Buttons by Epstein and Safro, and Wikipedia)

Last, but not least, for today, is this lovely little girl's vintage apron, made with white organdy and trimmed with red organdy ruffles, waistband, and white embroidered pocket embellishment.  Notice the whimsical nature of many apron textiles?  Again, this apron may have been worn by one of us grandmas when we were little girls, for special occasions, such as the celebration of the original Birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas.  Blessings to you and your family. 

1940's Embroidered Bib Apron - One of My Favorites

Vintage Aprons - The Emerging Collectible Icon of Worldwide Art and History

 

Have you acquired one lately?  Or do you have one tucked away, made by your mother or grandmother?  Is it gingham with colorful cross stitch embroidery?  Or does it have a poodle motif?  Maybe it’s made with a floral feed sack printed in lovely colors.  It may be crocheted, or made of lovely pastel or white batiste, with silk ribbon ties from the 1920’s.  It could be reversible, long, short, adult size, or children’s size.  It may be adorned with Christmas kittens or Easter bunnies with the ears being straps over the shoulders.  Perhaps it has a cartoon of a mother cooking, baking, serving meals, doing dishes, vacuuming, or dusting. 

Antique aprons, more than 100 years old, may be from the Edwardian period of the early 1900’s, made with long cotton pin tucked fronts embellished with small prints similar to men’s shirt designs.  Or they may be beautiful black mourning apparel in the era of Queen Victoria.  Going further back, they could be from the Regency period, 1810-1840, such as a silk tartan apron from Scotland.  There are even a few 18^th century aprons around, rare and highly collectible.

No matter how old, in what condition, what color, what textile, how beautiful, for man, woman, or child, each apron has its own story.  These stories bring joy to our hearts with memories or imaginings of days gone by.  We bask in the presence of these aprons, as if they have an energy and wisdom of their own. 

I began a serious and purposeful collection of vintage aprons in 2008, at the encouragement of a dear friend.  What a joyful learning experience it has been and continues to be, as I give presentations for community service to ladies’ groups.  This is my first blogging experience, and I hope you’ll drop by often and take this ride with me as we discuss everything about aprons – and vintage buttons - and how their stories merged at given times in history.  

Blessings to you and family as we celebrate the birth of our Lord, Christ Jesus, of Bethlehem.