Sunday, April 7, 2013

Frilly Apron







I don't have a big collection of vintage aprons, but I do appreciate their charms. I always have a few around for the grandgirls, and I love giving them as gifts. It's not like aprons aren't around anymore. They are as practical as ever, but the old gathered half aprons are pretty much a thing of the past.




I love the nostalgia of an old printed cotton apron and all the associations they carry of our mothers and grandmothers. Since I love old fabrics, I do have a few favorites that I tend to keep longer than others. And I love any aprons in white. Especially with ruffles. And though I find the forties or fifties hostess/party/cocktail aprons made with organdy a little absurd, I completely change my tune if they're in white.




A frilly white apron becomes something more than itself to me. Like an old white baby dress it moves from the practical to the purely symbolic. It's something beautifully decorative to hang on a wall, in a frame, or in a window. A fluffy sheer apron fluttering in the breeze is as lovely as a butterfly.




This lacy chiffon and dotted swiss apron did just that, hanging from the center of my market umbrella on the patio all day. It made me want an open sash window over my kitchen sink, or really anywhere in the house for a lacy curtain to wave merrily to the neighborhood.




A pocket full of posies just makes it all the more romantic. An apron like this was never intended for a drawer or closet, but demands the light of day streaming through it. 




It was made for a dreamy soft morning in spring, like this one. For doing no more hostess duty than greeting a migrating bird flitting through the trees. For shaking hands with a breeze, or kissing the open air .




It's a flag to all nations, to women the world over. A tribute to the best of times past. Let the good times roll!




And no. I didn't have anything special in the punch today! *Smile*

Hope your having a terrific Sunday friends!

Jacqueline






13 comments:

Junkchiccottage said...

That is so sweet and spring like. Love it.
Kris

Anne said...

What a sweet apron! I too am drawn to those vintage aprons.I have found a few of them myself lately too!Not sure what I will do with them but I could not pass them up!Have a great day!
xx
Anne

debi said...

What a beauty! And yes, that pocket was made for the posies....so pretty.

Pamela Gordon said...

Beautifully written Jacqueline. The apron is really pretty and I love the pocket full of posies. Enjoy the day. Pamela

Suz said...

Sorry about your problem. These are the sweetest shots of this apron.

Victorian1885 said...

Lovely post today Jacqueline! Your apron is so romantic and lacy. Have a great week ahead.

Hugs,
Wanda

Shabby chic Sandy said...

I adore that apron! Whoever once wore it does not cook messy like I do :) That is a sweet item for kitchen decore--so sweet and pretty!

Marlis said...

Such gorgeous dotted swiss. Oh my, with the lace. This probably was an apron for those special occasions you put on right before company walks through the door and you are still doing last minute prep! Thanks for sharing. Have a blessed week.. xo marlis

Haworth said...

What a lovely post, Jacqueline, and such a welcome touch of Spring... you make me wish I had dotted swiss aprons I could tie up as cafe curtains and let flit merrily in all my windows!

SImple and Serene Living said...

What a wonderful dotted Swiss hostess apron. I would want to hang it in the breeze, too.
Hugs,
Laura

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

That really is a "just because" piece...just because it's SO pretty! Lots of loveliness here, Jacqueline!

Myplace4tea said...

Ahhh sweet nostalgia...
My grandmother made my sister and I wear aprons around the kitchen when helping her much like this one, handmade by her...
Thank you for this lovely post... took me back a few years.

Wishing you a very lovely day.
Your new follower - Angela

Sherry @ Thrift My House said...

Your blog is beautiful! I followed you from I'm So Vintage blog. So happy to meet you!