The Apron Book And Their Stories

I am so fortunate to have a space in our home dedicated to just my apron world. With southern and western window exposure, the room light filled year around. Seven years ago I painted it a perfect deep yellow, and even on the chilliest days, with the sun and yellow walls, it feels warm and cozy.

But for sporadic attempts to keep the space tidy, it represents my habit of not putting anything away. Peruse a magazine source, find inspiration, and set it down; years of such a practice, and not to wonder the result.

Creative Chaos or Creative Clutter
Creative Chaos or Creative Clutter
The habitual habit of never putting things back in their place
The habitual habit of never putting things back in their place

What finally motivated an epic tidying was not my conscience nor Prince Charming’s eye rolling, but that all the pieces had fallen into place for promotional activity in conjunction with The Apron Book. With the support of the publisher, Andrews McMeel, Beth flew from her home to mine, where we were joined by Tracy Wahl, the producer of my 2006 NPR All Things Considered segment.

I had but days to “make it work.” Without an idea of how to begin, I just did. Loathe to hide away the collections I so love being surrounded by, I chose a selection to display. The remainder went into cupboards and bins and suitcases, hidden by the quilt and oil cloth covering tables. So I’d know at a glance what was in each storage point, I hung clues on the doors: a child’s apron designated children’s books and games; an apron with a tea towel embroidered with a lady reading a cookbook = cupboard of cookbooks; a vintage sewing manual….and so on. A selection of sewing patterns is lined up in a child’s valise, a picnic basket holds vintage black and white snapshots, pamphlets on food, etiquette and household tips peek out of perfectly sized make up cases. I was on a roll! And the end result is amazing and wonderful and joyous.

Organizing the collections seemed impossible, until the tactic began to make visual sense
Organizing the collections seemed impossible, until the tactic began to make visual sense
Using pieces of my collections to hold like collectibles brought order to the room
Using pieces of my collections to hold like collectibles brought order to the room
The computer screen is tucked beneath the table until its needed
The computer screen is tucked beneath the table until its needed

The filming of Beth and me chatting aprons was the gift of Dustin Hodges, a professional in the field and a best friend.

 A happy hug after chatting for an hour about our apron journeys in cute aprons and fabulous heels
A happy hug after chatting for an hour about our apron journeys in cute aprons and fabulous heels

The next morning, Beth, Tracy and I discussed The Apron Book and why the apron remains relevant in the modern landscape of women’s choices. That discussion is a podcast, which you can listen to HERE:

Contribute your written apron story and pictures at apronmemories.com/stories
Share your apron story recordings and videos at facebook.com/apronmemories
#theapronbook on Instagram & Twitter

This collage is a pictorial summary of our gathering. So many smiles, hugs, tears and love, as the best journeys are.

A summary collage shares the smiles, hugs, tears and love
A summary collage shares the smiles, hugs, tears and love

Find us throughout social media! And join the movement of apron love by tying one on…an apron, of course!

Gratefully, EllynAnne

About The Apron Book:

The Apron Book

Warm and inviting, but (like an apron) quite practical, The Apron Book is a celebration of a great American icon. Apron enthusiast Ellynanne Geisel, who curated the traveling exhibit, Apron Chronicles, returns us to hearth and home in this updated edition of the award-winning book. In this paperback edition, EllynAnne reflects on the grassroots movement of apron love in a new introduction, and a new foreword by the former editor of Apronology magazine expounds on EllynAnne’s mantra that aprons don’t hold us back; they take us back because the connection to the past is a strong one.

The Apron Book showcases full-color photos of new and vintage aprons from Geisel’s vast collection, patterns for four basic apron styles and myriad variations, recipes, tips on collecting and preserving vintage aprons, and heart-tugging stories from the traveling apron exhibit. The book also explores the history and heyday of aprons and looks at the various roles aprons still play when worn in the kitchen, around the house, by the backyard grill, on the job, or for a special occasion.

Available To Order:

Order at Amazon.com

Order at Barnes & Noble

Order at Indiebound

Order at Booksamillion.com

Order at Andrews McMeel

THE APRON BOOK : Podcast #7 – Bennie Swanson

THE APRON BOOK Podcast

THE APRON BOOK : Podcast #7
While having lunch at her mom’s, Bennie Swanson opened a kitchen drawer and spotted the apron she’d sewn in her 1959 home ec class. Overwhelmed with emotion and memories, the apron reminds Bennie of her mom as a brave and beautiful woman who’d faced life’s challenges with a smile and a song.

Bennie Swanson
Everyone knows what an apron is and everyone has a story to share!

Contribute your written apron story and pictures at apronmemories.com/stories
Share your apron story recordings and videos at facebook.com/apronmemories
#theapronbook on Instagram & Twitter

Listen:

» Right-click and download here (10MB / 4mins 15secs)

About The Apron Book:

The Apron Book

Warm and inviting, but (like an apron) quite practical, The Apron Book is a celebration of a great American icon. Apron enthusiast Ellynanne Geisel, who curated the traveling exhibit, Apron Chronicles, returns us to hearth and home in this updated edition of the award-winning book. In this paperback edition, EllynAnne reflects on the grassroots movement of apron love in a new introduction, and a new foreword by the former editor of Apronology magazine expounds on EllynAnne’s mantra that aprons don’t hold us back; they take us back because the connection to the past is a strong one.

The Apron Book showcases full-color photos of new and vintage aprons from Geisel’s vast collection, patterns for four basic apron styles and myriad variations, recipes, tips on collecting and preserving vintage aprons, and heart-tugging stories from the traveling apron exhibit. The book also explores the history and heyday of aprons and looks at the various roles aprons still play when worn in the kitchen, around the house, by the backyard grill, on the job, or for a special occasion.

Available To Order:

Order at Amazon.com

Order at Barnes & Noble

Order at Indiebound

Order at Booksamillion.com

Order at Andrews McMeel

THE APRON BOOK : Podcast #6 – Cristie Coffman

THE APRON BOOK Podcast

THE APRON BOOK : Podcast #6
Cristie Coffman is a professional caterer, a career that requires apron coverage. But the apron she holds most dear is from her childhood – bright yellow gingham with a flower pot shaped pocket, sewn for her by her doting Grandma Lily.

Cristie Coffman apron

Everyone knows what an apron is and everyone has a story to share!

Contribute your written apron story and pictures at apronmemories.com/stories
Share your apron story recordings and videos at facebook.com/apronmemories
#theapronbook on Instagram & Twitter

Listen:

» Right-click and download here (9.6MB / 3mins 50secs)

About The Apron Book:

The Apron Book

Warm and inviting, but (like an apron) quite practical, The Apron Book is a celebration of a great American icon. Apron enthusiast Ellynanne Geisel, who curated the traveling exhibit, Apron Chronicles, returns us to hearth and home in this updated edition of the award-winning book. In this paperback edition, EllynAnne reflects on the grassroots movement of apron love in a new introduction, and a new foreword by the former editor of Apronology magazine expounds on EllynAnne’s mantra that aprons don’t hold us back; they take us back because the connection to the past is a strong one.

The Apron Book showcases full-color photos of new and vintage aprons from Geisel’s vast collection, patterns for four basic apron styles and myriad variations, recipes, tips on collecting and preserving vintage aprons, and heart-tugging stories from the traveling apron exhibit. The book also explores the history and heyday of aprons and looks at the various roles aprons still play when worn in the kitchen, around the house, by the backyard grill, on the job, or for a special occasion.

Available To Order:

Order at Amazon.com

Order at Barnes & Noble

Order at Indiebound

Order at Booksamillion.com

Order at Andrews McMeel

THE APRON BOOK : Podcast #4 – Erin Owens & Cristie Coffman

THE APRON BOOK Podcast

THE APRON BOOK : Podcast #4
A friendship forged decades ago over a love of cooking and entertaining, Erin Owens and Cristie Coffman maintain a special closeness despite Erin’s move to another state. Reuniting in Lubbock, they reminisce of family, friendship and aprons.

Erin Owens and Cristie Coffman
Everyone knows what an apron is and everyone has a story to share!

Contribute your written apron story and pictures at apronmemories.com/stories
Share your apron story recordings and videos at facebook.com/apronmemories
#theapronbook on Instagram & Twitter

Listen:

» Right-click and download here (14MB / 8mins 33secs)

About The Apron Book:

The Apron Book

Warm and inviting, but (like an apron) quite practical, The Apron Book is a celebration of a great American icon. Apron enthusiast Ellynanne Geisel, who curated the traveling exhibit, Apron Chronicles, returns us to hearth and home in this updated edition of the award-winning book. In this paperback edition, EllynAnne reflects on the grassroots movement of apron love in a new introduction, and a new foreword by the former editor of Apronology magazine expounds on EllynAnne’s mantra that aprons don’t hold us back; they take us back because the connection to the past is a strong one.

The Apron Book showcases full-color photos of new and vintage aprons from Geisel’s vast collection, patterns for four basic apron styles and myriad variations, recipes, tips on collecting and preserving vintage aprons, and heart-tugging stories from the traveling apron exhibit. The book also explores the history and heyday of aprons and looks at the various roles aprons still play when worn in the kitchen, around the house, by the backyard grill, on the job, or for a special occasion.

Available To Order:

Order at Amazon.com

Order at Barnes & Noble

Order at Indiebound

Order at Booksamillion.com

Order at Andrews McMeel

THE APRON BOOK : Podcast #2 – Judith Olson Gregory

THE APRON BOOK Podcast

Installation artist Judith Olson Gregory was seeking an object through which to explore the word grace, when she received an apron that ultimately inspired an exhibit

THE APRON BOOK : Podcast #2 – Installation artist Judith Olson Gregory was seeking an object through which to explore the word ‘Grace’, when she received an apron that ultimately inspired an exhibit.

Contribute your written apron story and pictures at www.apronmemories.com/stories
Share your apron story recordings and videos at https://www.facebook.com/apronmemories/
#theapronbook on Instagram & Twitter

Listen:

» Right-click and download here (9.92MB / 4mins 9secs)

About The Apron Book:

The Apron Book

Warm and inviting, but (like an apron) quite practical, The Apron Book is a celebration of a great American icon. Apron enthusiast Ellynanne Geisel, who curated the traveling exhibit, Apron Chronicles, returns us to hearth and home in this updated edition of the award-winning book. In this paperback edition, EllynAnne reflects on the grassroots movement of apron love in a new introduction, and a new foreword by the former editor of Apronology magazine expounds on EllynAnne’s mantra that aprons don’t hold us back; they take us back because the connection to the past is a strong one.

The Apron Book showcases full-color photos of new and vintage aprons from Geisel’s vast collection, patterns for four basic apron styles and myriad variations, recipes, tips on collecting and preserving vintage aprons, and heart-tugging stories from the traveling apron exhibit. The book also explores the history and heyday of aprons and looks at the various roles aprons still play when worn in the kitchen, around the house, by the backyard grill, on the job, or for a special occasion.

Available To Order:

Order at Amazon.com

Order at Barnes & Noble

Order at Indiebound

Order at Booksamillion.com

Order at Andrews McMeel

THE APRON BOOK: Podcast #1 – Apron Memories

THE APRON BOOK Podcast
Storytelling and aprons go hand-in-hand. Share your stories and pictures at www.apronmemories.com

 

New: THE APRON BOOK : Podcast #1 – Author EllynAnne Geisel, foreword contributor Beth Livesay and producer/interviewer Tracy Wahl, formerly of npr, chat about their connection to aprons, the continuing relevance of aprons in today’s world, and connecting to the past while moving forward.

Contribute your written apron story and pictures at www.apronmemories.com/stories
Share your apron story recordings and videos at https://www.facebook.com/apronmemories/
#theapronbook on Instagram & twitter

Enjoy listening to the podcast!

» Right-click and download here (31.3MB / 27mins 47secs)

About The Apron Book:

The Apron Book

Warm and inviting, but (like an apron) quite practical, The Apron Book is a celebration of a great American icon. Apron enthusiast Ellynanne Geisel, who curated the traveling exhibit, Apron Chronicles, returns us to hearth and home in this updated edition of the award-winning book. In this paperback edition, EllynAnne reflects on the grassroots movement of apron love in a new introduction, and a new foreword by the former editor of Apronology magazine expounds on EllynAnne’s mantra that aprons don’t hold us back; they take us back because the connection to the past is a strong one.

The Apron Book showcases full-color photos of new and vintage aprons from Geisel’s vast collection, patterns for four basic apron styles and myriad variations, recipes, tips on collecting and preserving vintage aprons, and heart-tugging stories from the traveling apron exhibit. The book also explores the history and heyday of aprons and looks at the various roles aprons still play when worn in the kitchen, around the house, by the backyard grill, on the job, or for a special occasion.

Available To Pre-Order:

Order at Amazon.com

Order at Barnes & Noble

Order at Indiebound

Order at Booksamillion.com

Order at Andrews McMeel

2nd Tie One On Day Winner Wednesday

… is tomorrow (Nov 13)!  Sponsors Craftsy, National Association of Baby Boomer Women, IceMilk Aprons, MikWright, Nancy Zieman, Simplicity and My Memories are offering fabulous products as a thank you to one Tie One On Day entrant for participating and inspiring others to become involved.

ENTER ENTER ENTER ENTER ENTER ENTER ENTER

The more who take part in Tie One On Day, the more who receive gestures of kindness, so please spread the word and love of TOOD. And if you haven’t already entered the giveaways, to do so is easy!

Just click HERE.

TOOD_2013_504x607 79 dpi Last week’s Wednesday Winner, Cyndi Swank, was thrilled of her selection, which she hopes is also a good luck sign for her brother-in-law, who was seriously injured in a car accident.

“Wow, this is so incredible! This win is coming out of left field, and is really a wonderful surprise for me.  At last, something really good is happening!”

And Linda, Jane, Patty and Debra, the four additional My Memories Digital Software recipients, are super happy with their surprise winning.

TOOD_2013_504x607 79 dpi  If you’re like me and always looking for apron inspiration, sponsor Bernina is showcasing apron designs on its sewitall blog, which includes this log cabin patchwork apron designed by my friend Erika Mulveena.

TOOD_2013_504x607 79 dpi  After skyping for a year with retro rad chef Emily Ellyn, our paths finally crossed while I was visiting my sister in Florida.

EE EA yellow front door fixed no www1991 (Medium)

Two peas in a vintage pod!

We created a video for Tie One On Day packaging, which you can watch HERE. It includes biscuits from a recipe called HamBob’s out of the Hamery in Murfreesboro, TN. This has to be the easiest, no-fail biscuit to bake. Here’s the goods:

  • 1  cup buttermilk
  • 1/8  teaspoon baking soda
  • 1  tablespoon active dry yeast
  • 1  tablespoon sugar
  • 1/4  teaspoon salt
  • 1/2  cup warm water (100F to 110F)
  • 3 to 3 1/4  cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2  cup shortening

Instructions

  1. Mix buttermilk and baking soda together.
  2. Mix yeast, sugar, salt and water together. Let stand until foamy.
  3. Combine flour and shortening, stirring with a fork until mixed well. Mix in buttermilk mixture. Mix in yeast mixture. (Dough will be wet.) Cover loosely with a kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size.
  4. Pat out dough to 1/2-inch thickness on a heavily floured board. Cut biscuits with a 2-inch cutter. Place on a baking sheet and let rise 20 minutes.

PARTY-Recipes-setup-Biscuits-one-pan-good-pic-0108-www.jpg

 

5.  Preheat oven to 400F.

6.  Bake biscuits 10 to 12 minutes, until golden brown. Makes about 18 (not sure why, but I get more than 18 with this recipe, and I have to bake a few minute longer for that golden color).

PARTY-Recipes-setup-Biscuits-one-buttered-0112-www.jpg

A butter slathered biscuit = the yummiest!

 

TOOD_2013_504x607 79 dpi  Thanksgiving is a holiday known for recollection, making new traditions and sharing. The apron symbolizes these concepts. So please join me and tie one on (an apron, of course!) and through National Tie One On Day, make a difference in someone’s life.

TOOD_2013_504x607 79 dpi   Question: What’s leftover pie?
Answer: The next day’s breakfast!

 

xx EllynAnne

Vintage Patchwork a Modern Design

Although I don’t quilt, I love quilts. To me, a hand sewn quilt is a work of art, the hours spent creating it a testament to the virtue patience.

It is always stunning to me to find quilts in secondhand shops, tossed with the aprons and embroidered toweling as “mother’s old stuff.”  This quilt is one so rescued.

As a bed covering, the Dresden pattern brightens the room.

Dresden quilt full length www

Made up of scraps from the 1930s, it is a marvel. The bittiness and evenness of thousands of stitches defines awesome. Dresden closeup www

The Dresden design is a happy one, with the variety of fabrics complimenting without effort. I picked up a package of Dresdens that were never used to complete a quilt. I like looking at them, admiring the artistry and industry of the woman who so meticulously created each plate. Dresden from my collection www

But what to do with them?

To the rescue is creative sewer and quilting newbie Erika Mulvenna, who shows the possibilities of this beautiful pattern when applied to an apron.

apron page in quilty

Just in time for Tie One On Day, Erika’s easy apron projects are featured in

Erika_Quilty cover

The website for Quilty is heyquilty.com and here’s the link to Erika’s aprons http://www.heyquilty.com/articles/Aprons_modern_easy_applique_aprons

It’s always a thrill when a friend’s talent is published. To celebrate Erika’s aprons, Quilty has provided two copies of this issue for giveaway. The magazine is page after page of tutorials, detailed photos and encouragement, and Mary Fons is a sweetheart of an editor.

So, how to win a copy of this magazine?  Just leave a comment at the end of this blog! Two (2) winners randomly selected and announced next Sunday, October 27th.

xx EllynAnne

Tie One On…Give from the heart…Then give thanks.

TOOD 2013 very clear image002

ENTRY for Tie One On Day Giveaways @ www.apronmemories.com

globalapron Sweden

 GlobalApron_logo_final
 Malin Lidén, is an apronista from Uppsala, Sweden. Her globalapron contribution is vivid with detail – the darkness of her great-grandmother’s existence, a mother’s love for her child, making do, and a woman’s ingenuity. 

My great-grandmother Ester lived up in the north of Sweden. It was very poor there and an especially hard life for women. The nearest food store was 36km (approximately 22 miles) away, and Judith, her daughter (and my grandmother) walked 12km (7 miles) to school.

My grandmother was a little girl in the 1930s, and when she needed an apron, Great-Grandmother Ester sewed one that would grow with Judith for some years. Fabrics were hard to get and, on top of that, expensive, so an apron such as this was a smashing idea, if you ask me! Decades later, my grandmother found her little apron and showed it to me. Redesigned and named the Ruuthie, this children’s apron is one that I now make and sell.

We live in a time that make us be extra careful with what we already have, so I re-cycle old fabrics and give them a new life in the form of my Ruuthie aprons. Here are Bianca and Maija washing up in their Ruuthies.
Bianca and Maija washing up in their Ruuthies
Maija baking gingerbread cookies and Leo and Texas in Ruuthie
Maija baking gingerbreads at christmas time              Leo and Texas wearing Ruuthie rock 'n roll
rock ‘n roll.

Great-grandmother Ester past away in 1982, and Grandmother Judith is now 86 years old and lives in Arjeplog, a native lapic town with a population of 3600.

I live in Uppsala, Sweden’s 4th largest city, and very close to Stockholm. And I manufacture my Ruuthie Apron here in Uppsala. I just love aprons and I am very happy to be an apronista and share my love of the apron through my great-grandmother’s design.

Snow Day Redress

The mid-week snowstorm was a big surprise and with the roads slick (my least favorite driving condition), the perfect day to stay in and accomplish some major domestic clean-up. But no sooner did I think such a thought, than it was nudged to a back burner and replaced with a most brilliant way to spend a snowy day: redressing Scarlett, my mannequin.

I’ve long thought how to change Scarlett’s form from its unflattering concrete gray to something more colorful, and within minutes of the first flakes falling, I figured it out.

From a bag of vintage scraps

Vintage Scraps Bag

I cut out shapes, dipped each into a mixture of decoupage paste thinned with water, and randomly covered the form.

Mannequin_vintage scraps_in progress

The redressing took a day, which seems a long time for such a carefree project, except the cleaning up part added considerable time – which brings me to this after-thought suggestion: Cover the floor and tabletop with plastic before beginning any project that includes dripping paste.

Scarlett Redressed in Vintage!

Mannequin_vintage scraps_turq2 turned (Medium)

In all her glory, Scarlett showing off the first of my new line,

Domesti-Chic · Limited Editions

Recipe for Happiness_full pic (Medium)

AM Logo with clothesline

I so thrive on the creative process. Whether inspired by a bag of scrap fabric or a recipe, it’s the excitement of the possibilities I find energizing. Now to reserve a bit of that excitement and face the maelstrom of domestic duties still simmering on that back burner.

xxea

Tie One On…an apron, of course!