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Apron Evangelism
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One day not too long ago I was struggling with the boys over some minor details which come up when a lot of people live in a small shack in the woods. Details like the value of picking one’s dirty clothes up off of the living room floor when company has been spotted driving up the mountain. The boys were unusually stubborn that particular day. Rather than fight with them over their household responsibilities I picked up the dirty clothes myself and crammed them into the washing machine. I ran some soapy water in the sink to get a start on the dishes before the company arrived.
Now usually I am not one to hold a grudge over small disagreements like laundry on the living room floor. This one settled in my brain though, and I felt compelled to mull over it for several days. It was the outright insubordination which offended me the most. After I figured that out I went in search of solutions.
About the same time I was in the process of Spring Cleaning. I was having a great deal of trouble motivating myself to wash the walls in the kitchen and mop the back porch where the cats live (blessedly with a doggie door so they don’t need litter boxes).
Well, the more I worried about these twin dilemmas the more I felt the need to discuss them with the queen of solutions, my momma Darthulia. As I suspected she had the perfect solution. Darthulia told me I needed a uniform or costume which would reassure myself and others of my intention and status in the home. She claimed it would remind me of my duties, inspire me to greater levels of cleanliness (which as a hillbilly I sorely need), and reaffirm my authority in the home.
Darthulia then went on to describe the homemaker’s uniform to me in detail. “Imagine the modern archetype of the housewife.” She began. “Think Donna Reed, or Beaver Cleaver’s mom. They wore full skirts, and stockings, and heels when they vacuumed. But you knew they were doing housework because they had their aprons on. A string of beads graced the necks of their classic shirtwaist dresses, and a lacy bibbed apron proclaimed their role as matriarch in charge of household management.”
I only have a fleeting memory of Donna Reed. I sort of wish she came on television regularly so I could take notes but she doesn’t in my area so I am stuck looking for other heroines-of-the-home to model myself after. Most of what momma said made sense to me though. That very day, I put on a full skirt, stockings, sensibly low high heeled shoes, and a string of pearly white beads. Then I sat down at my sewing machine and ran up a couple of bibbed aprons, decorated with lace and ribbons.
I made up the pattern as I went along using a small rectangle for the first bib and a heart shape for the second bib. Then I stitched lace around the edges of the bib and attatched it to a simple tie with a full apron skirt gathered to the waist. I made them short waisted so they would fit my maternal figure a bit better, and voila, I was set. I put the first apron on, a creamy white or ecru, and looked in the mirror to admire my handiwork. I expected to see myself staring back at me, probably looking a little silly in this frilly piece of confection designed to protect my clothing.
Boy howdy, was I in for a surprise. In the mirror I saw a vision of the homemaker I have always strived to become staring back at me. Her cheery face glistened in the sunshine. Her hair tied up neatly in bun looked authoritative, and compassionate all at the same time. The apron covered several figure flaws and accentuated the fertile curves of the woman I saw in the mirror. This woman had purpose. She had status. She had clout. I stood there, contemplating the wonder of the homemaker that shone through my image in the mirror. “This is who I want to be” I told myself. “This is the Keeper of the home, with a capital ‘K’. ”
I wear my aprons every day now. I have made more, in different colors and configurations so as to be pleasing to my senses. I have come to believe they are a like lacy bits of lingerie, only worn on the outside, and a quite a bit more respectable. When I put on my aprons the children mind me better, wandering visitors immediately know my role as a stay at home mom. Door to door religious missionaries assume I am a virtuous woman and cheerfully move on to the next house. Fred thinks I look cute as a button, and neighbor children hug me more often.
I like my aprons. They have changed my life, raising my standards, inspiring me to greater feats of home making skill, and making me more effective as a parent. Whoever thought that a dollars worth of fabric and lace could effect so many changes on one woman and one family? Since my success with aprons I have become a true believer. I am now called to spread the word among my fellow housewives. Join the crusade by sharing your love of aprons with friends, family and internet buddies around the world. Together we will change the face of the House Wife, the world over.
Blessings,
–Maggie (The original Hillbilly Housewife)
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23 Responses to “Apron Evangelism”
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Website & Graphics by ccd
May 2nd, 2009 at 10:45 pm
I too enjoy dressing as a true homemaker, which for me is the little house on the prairie style. I’m more comfortable with myself as well. I use to live in jeans only, now give me a comfy prairie style outfit and I’m happy.
May 5th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
All of this sounds very good, but if my husband came home, found me in heels, a dress, and an apron, he would promptly call a psychiatrist, and get me admitted to the local mental hospital. He would also question our son seriously about what he had done to finally drive mom crazy. All in all, I think it would be best if I just stuck to my jeans and shorts, and depended on my sometimes commanding voice. The neighborhood kids would still not hug me, but my son would sure be surprised.
May 8th, 2009 at 2:14 am
I am a true believer in the ritual of wearing an apron!
When I’m ready for housework (most of the day!)I feel naked without it!
I live in the suburbs and visitors are often surprised to see me in an apron. “Oh, are you baking”.
Hey , aprons are not just for baking anymore!
My apron puts me in work mode no matter what the task. My kids know I mean business and I’m on task when they see me in an apron. It’s a visual warning to them that hey, “you may need to pitch in at any minute”.
May 19th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
I made myself a canning apron, and I love wearing it! My experience has been the same as Maggie’s: when I dress like a housewife, I am prouder to be one. To me, it is difficult to feel honorable as a housewife in today’s society when you have chosen not to leave the home so that you can raise your own kids. But, when I wear my apron I have a sense of peace and pride about being a mom.
May 21st, 2009 at 12:42 pm
now i know why my daughter in law started wearing an apron this year!
shes the one who sent me the link to this site.
my mother ALWAYS wore her apron, and on occasions she finished cooking and put on her “dressy” apron.
June 10th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
I love aprons. I seldom wear them though, because they accentuate
the wrong curves! (make me look pregnant). I guess the best ones
for my figure are the chefs aprons. I’ll just have to make one and
dress it up!
June 15th, 2009 at 7:43 am
When I was entrusted with the care of my great grandmothers aprons, I saw an opportunity to start a new family tradition. There are 4 of them, and myself and 3 young daughters each claimed a favorite. Now on special occasions and holidays we all wear them and talk about family heritage, recipes handed down etc… Not only are we sharing what I hope will become fond childhood memories, we are honoring generations past. And it’s hard to lose patience with a sweet darling wearing an heirloom probably 75 years old. Now I’m wearing my ‘everyday’ aprons, well, every day. Maybe in 75 years from now, little girls will be picking out which of my aprons they like the best. Maybe I’ll sew a little message on the inside of the hem…
July 9th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Why do you have to have the blue stripe running down the left side of your posting? It makes it very hard to read what you had to say about the Apron Evangelist. I realy enjoyed the comments because the stripe didn’t run through them. I love apron’s and have many patterns but haven’t made any yet,LOL. I should do that, soon.
July 9th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
This article is so inspiring and I love it. I am going to give this a try as I have gotten out of the habit of wearing aprons on a regular basis. Thank you for sharing with us.
July 9th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
What a great article. This is what I enjoyed about the previous HBHW website. First the situation and then the solution and one that doesn’t cost a ton of money. I wear and make aprons all the time. I never thought of it as a uniform, but it does signify that it is time to get busy and get some work done. I love making the aprons and it helps kick start the day when I put on a pressed (not always) and clean apron. Also helps protect my clothes from stains and spots. There is a website called Tipnut.com that has free patterns for aprons.
July 9th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
I love this article - it’s been one of my favorites for years. (c: I collect aprons, both vintage and new and love wearing them. I have “an apron for all seasons” and trade them out for upcoming holidays and such. I also have my laundry apron with the nice deep pockets for stashing lots of clothespins, my gardening apron that’s extra thick and has nice wide pockets all along the front for my garden utensils and my cleaning apron that gives lots of all-over coverage. Miss Maggie’s articles are always great, I miss “seeing” her here at HBHW.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
someone wouldn’t happen to have a pattern for an apron?
July 10th, 2009 at 11:11 am
I love the newsletter. I have a special folder for the newsletters and keep every one.
I wear my aprons when cooking and especially when baking. I have flour, cocoa powder,etc. all over the front. My husband tells me I really “get into” my work. Never thought to wear them when doing other household chores. I have made several for myself, daughter and daughter-in-law. Never thought to make them frilly and lacy. Will try that next. Thanks again for the newsletter. I have shared it with all my family.
July 10th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
As I write this, I am wearing an apron after cooking an awesome pot of short ribs. it’s smelling so good. Nothing puts me in the mood for cooking as my apron. Thanks for the reminder. I will now help my boys with the dishes since we will work faster and they will realise that mom isn’t a bully. They will know that as the Keeper of the home, mom is just giving skills to prevent an early marriage due to the need for a maid. LOL. On a serious note, thank you for putting it in persepective. The reason why we stay at home. God bless you.
July 10th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
I am a single gal living in an apartment, but I love wearing my apron. It’s just a mental reminder that I’m in work mode, and am Queen of the Castle (to use a Seinfeldism). Seriously, aprons aren’t just for baking anymore, and they have saved my clothes while cooking on more than one occasion.
July 14th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
I just returned home from vacation and am reading the apron comments. I work as a teacher and a number of us wear aprons to have all the supplies we needed (dry erase markers, pens, pencils, erasers, sticky note pads, etc.) For my birthday, my momma bought me a frog covered apron (she’s been collecting frogs for me since a bad relationship 30 years ago- kiss a frog before you find your prince}. I love wearing my grandmother-in-law’s aprons that she used to wear. She has some that are on a plastic band that goes around your waist. Very simple with pockets and can pull right off. It’s nice to read the newsletter!
July 14th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Thanks so much for writing and sharing this article about Apron Evangelism, I found it inspiring! I love to wear 100% lined cotton skirts, which are so very comfortable and don’t need a slip. I also like cotton pants or jeans and also shorts.
While reading this article, it occurred to me that wearing an apron with pants would make the entire outfit appear more feminine, and that a shorter apron would have the same effect on a shorts outfit. Even if I did not wear heals, I could get the same “feeling” by wearing pretty sandals.
I have several aprons in the linen closet which I have never worn. Now, I realize that I can easily sew some lace around the edges (and around the pockets) and they will look wonderful! I also love the idea of seasonal aprons!
August 3rd, 2009 at 4:46 pm
I am a single apartment-dweller, but love to put on my apron over a circle skirt whenever guests come over, or sometimes just for myself. It feels like dressing up and playing house- houseplay, rather than housework.
August 6th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
I would LOVE to wear aprons. As I sit here, feeding the 14 mo old twins, you got me thinking. My uniform, such as it is, is a tee and shorts or jeans. Shorts did allow me to already get goat doo on my thigh. Somebody had icky paws and I did not see it when I sat on the milk stand. I have cow doo on my shin…..beast flicked her tail when I let her out, tossing mud and poo all over. I think a *real* apron would be useful when I tranfer the hens to their new digs today. They will NOT be pleased to be moved. Maybe an apron would have saved my tee from the splashing when I poured milk into the pot to make cheese today. Or the flour from the pizza crusts I have rising. As a single mom, I have nobody here to call the men with the I-LOVE-ME coats. But I wonder how the townsfolk will react……..I can see this working for me. A pretty apron for housework. One with POCKETS to collect eggs. One of Kevlar for the milking of beasts. Well….at least waterproof! Thanks for the inspiration on a same old, same old day!
August 15th, 2009 at 5:59 am
This is just delightful. I’ve been hunting for an apron pattern for my daughter’s ballet costume, her ballet school is doing the Wizard of Oz and my daughter is Aunt Emily. One website linked to another, as they do, and here I am! I love aprons. My favourite belonged to my grandmother and I have wonderful memories of her wearing it. Nan was in her 80s and wore her aprons every day; she baked, cleaned, gardened and collected the eggs wearing her bright floral aprons. Remembering her now I feel the wonderful warmth of her love, her inspirational homemaking and her scrumptious baking. I’m definitely going to start wearing my aprons with greater style and appreciation. Thanks.
August 15th, 2009 at 11:32 pm
Julie..you left a message on July 9th looking for Apron Patterns. Go to:
…. TipNut.com and type in aprons, you will find a bunch, all free. If you scroll all the way down there will be more aprons to click onto. Good luck..
~ Cheryl
September 9th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Hi,
I love that idea, I only own 1 apron , Hey have you thought about selling yours???? I would buy one for sure!!
October 1st, 2009 at 8:12 pm
I love wearing my apron too! I definately do more work with a better attitude when I put it on first thing in the morning. I always have a pocket to put in little bits I pick up on the floor. I always have something to dry my hands on when I am cooking or doing dishes. They wash up fast & easy too. My grandmother made me 5 aprons that are just perfect for my homeschooling life.