Grandmother’s Apron: Did You Know?
Grandmother from our new book Don’t Fear the Monster: A Halloween Scare
Growing up in a Polish American house provided the opportunity for an array of Polish cuisine. From homemade Polish sausage and pierogi to my favorite dessert, potiza, pronounced (paw-tee'-tzah). I remember it as a tasty bread with a sweet, nutty filling. As I reminisce about my favorite foods and memories, I picture my mom and grandma cooking diligently for the family feast. My grandma with her house dress and my mom in her slacks, both adorned with an apron. This nostalgic look at the past had me thinking about the lost item used in cooking, aprons. What were they used for, and why are they no longer in everyday use?
Did You Know? The primary purpose of aprons is to protect the clothing of the cook. It uses less material than our clothing, making it easier to clean. If you splash something during preparation, the apron prevents you from making a mess of your attire. Our parents and grandparents didn't have the abundance of clothing most of us have today, so they couldn't necessarily make a quick change. They also tended to have larger families leading to lots of dirty clothes to wash; any help decreasing the laundry load is a significant benefit. And don't forget their dryers were outdoor clotheslines.
Another benefit of wearing an apron is to prevent your food from coming into contact with the dust, dirt, hair, germs, and whatever else might have been floating around you throughout your day. In this COVID-19 environment, I would think there would be an apron shortage if people realized the advantages of the apron.
There is also the safety issue that encourages apron attire. If you have an outfit that contains polyester, which was very popular in the 1970s, your clothing could catch fire. But there are other concerns, like wearing anything big and loose. Also, baggy clothes could catch fire too or get caught in mixer beaters or other equipment.
Back in the day, aprons were used as potholders to remove hot pans from the oven. They also were absorbent, so they could gently dry a child's tears or quickly clean dirty ears. Gathering eggs from a chicken coop could be easily carried in an apron. And when the company came, it became a hiding place for shy children.
After a long day over a hot stove, an apron was used to wipe the sweat. And if it got cold, the apron doubled as a shawl, draping it over the shoulders. When you needed to bring in the wood, the pieces were carried in by that very apron.
An apron carried all kinds of vegetables from the garden into the house for washing. If peas were shelled, it carried the hulls in to be disposed of. In the fall, apples picked or fallen from the tree could be hauled into the house for apple pie or homemade applesauce.
Need to clean the house quickly for unexpected guests? The apron saves the day. It is amazing how much furniture an apron can clean. It also doubles as a wearable dish towel.
Remember never to throw away an apron because aprons are the holders of memories! That stain from coloring Easter eggs with your grandchildren or the rip from carrying a heavy load of firewood to make s'mores. And if you have an apron with a pocket, all the most precious memories are hidden there too!
My Bushi (grandma in Polish)
From cooking and carrying to cleaning, this handy dandy article of clothing belongs in the new age of sustainable necessities for the home. It is like a superhero cape, ready to tackle today's messy world or to cook with your grandchildren. Forget about your grandmother's apron and house dress; create your look and make memories today.
