A New Apron

For high school I went to a small private school. I'll admit I was a died-in-the-wool geek, and for the most part I adored it. As much as a teenager can adore school, that is. I took latin class, reveled in Calculus and was pretty diligent about keeping my knee socks up. One of the side effects of wearing a uniform to school (for me anyway) was that I began to mentally associate that uniform with a certain state of mind. As such, I used to pretty much always keep my uniform on, when I got home from school, to finish my homework. It was as though it was literally my "working" uniform. When I was done my schoolwork, I'd take it off, shift my brain to other things and move on. (Told you, I was a geek). Anyway, I'm not sure if it was those impressionable years, or an innate sense of practicality, but as an adult, as soon as I get home from work I go into the kitchen, put on an apron and start an evening of cooking, or some sort of home project. I have a different apron for gardening. I use my kitchen apron when I'm cleaning the house as well, and fear that though it is certainly not my most alluring look most weeknights I have my apron on until I go to bed. And while all this makes me sound painfully like a 50s housewife, know that I'm not doing all this alone, Martin, however, chooses not to wear an apron.

So, it's time for a new one. I have this fabulous printed apron that I got at a second hand store that is quite basic, with a lovely navy/grass green print that has stood me well for a few  years, but it's getting quite ratty and I figure if I'm going to spend as much time in an apron as I do, I should have one a bit nicer looking. Don't you agree? So, I'm thinking a fair bit about my next apron. I've been a huge fan of BellaPamella's aprons since I first saw them on the web (that's what's pictured here). I love the retro feel, the practical nature (I don't like half apron as they're not protective enough, and they must have pockets). I've had a look around the italian delis in the neighrbourhood to see what they have in the way of italian nonna aprons, but they're all made of polyester and that doesn't fit with my "lovely apron I'll wear everyday" vision. And ultimately, as a sewer, with a pile of unused fabric in the basement, I just can't bring myself to buy an apron. However lovely. It's like I can hear my grandma in my head saying, "oh just get on with it and go whip something up, it's an apron for goodness sake." And she's right.

Last night I pulled out my Mary Jane's Farm magazine, the apron issue, and had a thumb through. All the free patterns in it are for half aprons though, and that won't quite do for my purposes. I'm tempted to order both the Helen's Apron pattern and the Farm Girl Apron pattern, but then I thought: I've got the internet at my fingers. And, hopefully, still a pile of talented creative folks out there reading this occasionally. So, any of you have an awesome apron pattern you'd like to recommend? My requirements are pretty simple: must be a full apron (not just  half) and must have at least one pocket. Please save me before I get totally lost in the tie one on archives.

(And for the record, I'm already thinking I should just embrace my inner house wife and get one of these for fancy times, and still make an everyday apron to sooth my inner grandma).

Comments

[L8ybug]

I just ordered this one to make one for my daughter. There is also an adult version. http://pacificfabrics.com/Shopping/viewItem.asp?id=8350&cat=9&subcat=900
Fun!

[daisies]

oh oh ... i love aprons and mine is sooo falling apart. i was actually scoping out etsy looking for a new one (as i don't have time to listen to my inner grandma right now) but couldn't find what i was looking for but BellaPamella's aprons are divine ... am pulling out my credit card as I type this ;-) thank you!! hugs!