“Joys and Tears in the Apron Strings”- A Historical Tracing of Its Conception

A long white flowing apron, from the late1800’s, was a precious find at a local fall estate sale in our county. It was at an old farmhouse with a large back porch entry. The walls were lined with vintage aprons, all pressed and displayed on hangers, pretty as can be. At this sale 15 aprons were purchased. Upon arrival back home, one apron looked similar to those worn in old photographs. It was intriguing, but how much I did not have a clue! Upon completion of the event, my thoughts began to wonder, might this be something I would like to do? Later in the year a couple of inquires were made, questioning if I would put on a program for their event. Thus the word-of- mouth spread the news of my apron collection and my apron passion was deepening with more intensity.

As the months slipped into winter and early spring, I felt a need to create a business plan. Especially, if I was serious about writing a grant and public performance numbers were increasing. The long white apron, number 52 in the log of aprons, was pulling at my heart strings. A very vintage-looking apron made from a fabric called dimity. The lace at the hemline was elegant and wide in width. My time spent researching vintage aprons helped me date this apron. Suddenly a feeling of JOY overcame me! It was a joy-finding this very old and delicate apron. It was a joy-knowing that this apron was found very close to home. It was a joy making a close connection to the family by knowing one of the nieces.

The appearance of this apron struck me with many surprises! Looking very closely at the fabric, it was discovered the aprons’ life was not all glory; there were holes in the fabric. This beautiful apron with delicate lace now seemed to have, Tears! But a skilled seamstress with needle and thread rewove the open spaces camouflaging the holes. Another JOY! Thus, I had “Joys and Tears” for a number of days. The words “Joys and Tears” were repeated many times. What goes with these three words? After doing more casual research about aprons, a thought appeared: those apron strings are very important in keeping an apron in place. “Joys and Tears in the Apron Strings” was conceived. If it was not for the apron strings, we would lose our apron, but beyond that aprons hold many “Joys and Tears” of life and they are not lost because they are tied into our memories.

Now, the business was progressing. It had a name but there were still needs and some were quite expensive. Thus in the spring, I applied for my own art grant, as an emerging artist, to move my artistry forward. “Joys and Tears in the Apron Strings” programs now number ten, each having a specific theme, such as Half-Apron-Fun, The Checkered Apron, Christmas Aprons, Memories and Traditions, etc.

This is the third career of my life story and it is the best chapter yet. The people I have met, the heart-warming stories I have heard and the roads I’ve traveled are always an adventure. Every apron has a story. Every apron has a past. Every apron has a history.