Tag: style

Lost and Found

On By In Blog

Back in 1999, when I first began listening to apron recollections, a common lament was We threw out all her aprons, never imagining we’d regret doing so or I saved a single apron, and it is my prized, most precious possession. That refrain is one I continue to hear, as in this email:

I ran into your book at the bookstore today and hope you can answer a question. My grandmother was always making aprons for people. The one we remember most was one we knew as the necktie apron as it was made of many sections shaped like neckties ( folded up similar to the umbrella skirts of yesteryear). The apron had a skirt only, no bib. Grandma died many years ago and now we realize that none of us have any of her aprons or even a picture of the “necktie apron.” Have you ever seen an apron of that description. Am really looking for a description, picture, or directions to make to make to put in our memory book of Grandma. Thank you.

I could hardly write back fast enough, Is this the pattern you’re seeking?
My collection of patterns isn’t all that extensive, but I happen to have this one, printed by McCalls in 1941.

Before I opted whether or not to share this pattern here, I considered the copyright (a mere 66 years) and contacted McCalls. Elizabeth Moss of the company’s consumer affairs department consulted with the legal department and archivist. Seems the disregard for pattern copyrights is flagrant and pattern companies are on the lookout for illegal use of what is rightfully theirs.

I approve of their protective posture, and thusly, only the pattern’s face is published here, which is exactly what Grandma’s family was hoping for.

xxea
Tie One On…an apron, of course!

I