New Apron Discovery!

Lucky for me the woman at the Sabbatus Antique Mall recognized me when she came shopping at Fort Andross. And super lucky for me that, when she leanred on that chance visit that I make vintage-inspired aprons, she put aside a special apron she thought might interest me.

My husband and I are regular visitors at her antique market where there can be found a wonderful variety of vintage and antique goodies. We make the occasional foray further a field to check out other markets but always find that her market is the most fun and has items we would like (and do) buy, all at reasonable prices. I’ve bought vintage aprons from her in the past and have used one to recreate an apron that I currently sell.

Upon walking in her door on a recent rainy Sunday she saw us and immediately said, “I wondered when you’d be back. I have something for you!”  That was an intriguing way to begin our visit. She pulled out a paper bag and first extracted a pile of vintage fabric that turned out to be two unfinished basic aprons. The ties were made, the pieces cut out and they were ready for assembly. Tempting, very tempting. But what she showed me next was the most exciting: an old apron made in a style I’ve never seen before. When I held it in my hand it resembled a pile of fabric more than an apron but once I put it on I realized it’s great potential and one that is totally unlike the other aprons I make. This one should be adaptable to any adult body size because of its fundamental feature: it’s a wrap. Think mink stole (without the dead animal – faux mink stole, please) as if it was hung around the neck. Those two sections that hang down in front make up the apron! Ties on one section secure the apron to tie in the back and the two sections in front can be adjusted to fit just about anyone. Quite ingenious!

I’m calling it Wrap it Up! and if I had to venture a guess, I’d say the original is an apron from the 40’s or 50’s. I love this apron. It’ll be fun to see how it looks made with different fabrics and even more fun to see how people like it. I'd love to know what you think so please let me know.

Warp it Up!