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The Apron Book: Making, Wearing, and Sharing a Bit of Cloth and Comfort
From the threadbare treasure that belonged to your grandmother to the kitschy couture from the hippest boutique, aprons are back! In a happy convergence of nostalgia, pop culture, and contemporary fashion, The Apron Book reminds us of everything we once loved about aprons and then shows us how to make them ourselves.
The Apron Book delights the senses, each page a colorful montage to experience physically and emotionally. EllynAnne’s enthusiasm for these textile artifacts dances across the pages as she muses on aprons in the kitchen; housework aprons; aprons worn by America’s waitresses, butchers, and maids; barbecue aprons; children’s aprons; holiday and dress-up aprons; and the sassy variety that are equal parts smooch and sizzle. She dishes on fabrics and adornments; aprons as custom gifts; and collecting, displaying and preserving aprons. She shares tidbits of advice and recipes, along with her favorite apron stories, gathered from apron wearers everywhere like ripe cherries in the lap of her own apron.
The Apron Book is loaded with fabulous four-color photographs of the author’s vintage apron collection, plus the images of apron lovers past and present. You’ll also find four basic apron patterns—the waist apron, the bib apron, the smock apron, and a little girl’s apron—plus a host of variations for sewers of any skill level. As a bonus, the bib apron pattern is packaged separately and tucked inside the book!
There is no other book like The Apron Book, which celebrates the humble yet lovely apron and the spirit of the men and women who once wore them, while providing the inspiration and tools to reinvent aprons for the here and now.
According to EllynAnne, “Aprons don’t hold us back, they take us back “ — the very reason for the apron’s status as today’s hottest collectible.
The Apron Book delights the senses, each page a colorful montage to experience physically and emotionally. EllynAnne’s enthusiasm for these textile artifacts dances across the pages as she muses on aprons in the kitchen; housework aprons; aprons worn by America’s waitresses, butchers, and maids; barbecue aprons; children’s aprons; holiday and dress-up aprons; and the sassy variety that are equal parts smooch and sizzle. She dishes on fabrics and adornments; aprons as custom gifts; and collecting, displaying and preserving aprons. She shares tidbits of advice and recipes, along with her favorite apron stories, gathered from apron wearers everywhere like ripe cherries in the lap of her own apron.
The Apron Book is loaded with fabulous four-color photographs of the author’s vintage apron collection, plus the images of apron lovers past and present. You’ll also find four basic apron patterns—the waist apron, the bib apron, the smock apron, and a little girl’s apron—plus a host of variations for sewers of any skill level. As a bonus, the bib apron pattern is packaged separately and tucked inside the book!
There is no other book like The Apron Book, which celebrates the humble yet lovely apron and the spirit of the men and women who once wore them, while providing the inspiration and tools to reinvent aprons for the here and now.
According to EllynAnne, “Aprons don’t hold us back, they take us back “ — the very reason for the apron’s status as today’s hottest collectible.
139 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2006
32 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
May 21, 2011
I suddenly have a passion for aprons. Why have I been wearing the ugly black and white manly apron to protect my clothes when I could have been wearing one of these?! The black and white apron is now for the boys and I am planning to make some matching aprons for me and my daughter to wear! This book is full of simple patterns, tons of inspiration and great stories behind family heirloom aprons! What a fun book this was to read.
July 25, 2018
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book!!
November 29, 2017
Fun pictures. Didn't try any of the patterns. Not impressed with the '50s recipes. Author rhapsodizes over Harriet Nelson as the perfect homemaker, but in reality Harriet was a professional actress and working mom! Nostalgic and sentimental for the "good ol' days" when a woman's place was in the home (and wearing an apron). Would've been better with people of color telling their apron stories.
May 15, 2007
Not bad. Has some wonderful apron patterns and pics of old aprons. This is well worth checking out of the library for this reason.
Wouldn't spend money on it, though.
Why? Too many auxiliary features that weren't quite up to snuff. Author would've done better to include more apron-centric material, perhaps branching out to types of aprons seen in other countries, etc.
I was disappointed in the apron 'testimonials.' Not all of those reminiscing are household names, yet no information is given about them. Would've been more meaningful with a bit of background.
Focus also a bit too diffuse with added recipes for cookies and pizza and so on.
Lovely visuals, though.
Wouldn't spend money on it, though.
Why? Too many auxiliary features that weren't quite up to snuff. Author would've done better to include more apron-centric material, perhaps branching out to types of aprons seen in other countries, etc.
I was disappointed in the apron 'testimonials.' Not all of those reminiscing are household names, yet no information is given about them. Would've been more meaningful with a bit of background.
Focus also a bit too diffuse with added recipes for cookies and pizza and so on.
Lovely visuals, though.
August 21, 2009
What can I say...I'm in love with this book! I'd wallpaper my kitchen with its cheerful pictures if I could!
I'm borrowing this from my mom right now. I absolutely LOVE the history of aprons in here...and the pictures of the vintage aprons are so inspiring! I'm so longing to get to my sewing machine I can hardly stand it!!!!
I'm borrowing this from my mom right now. I absolutely LOVE the history of aprons in here...and the pictures of the vintage aprons are so inspiring! I'm so longing to get to my sewing machine I can hardly stand it!!!!
October 23, 2009
A beautiful book full of stories and photographs of aprons of the past and present. This book was entertaining as well as quite useful. It has tips on how to preserve older aprons and even patterns included in a folder in the back of the book, so you can make your own. Also included are recipes to make while wearing the new apron you created.
May 17, 2010
This book is just plain fun! It will remind you of your mom or grandmom or some other favorite lady from your past. It has that 1950's "goodness" to it. There are ideas, patterns, stories, great pictures and you may actually want to own and wear an apron when you finish reading it! It's a warm, fuzzy book. . .
August 6, 2012
I read this book several years ago and just noticed I didn't have it in my books list.
I enjoyed this book and have given several as gifts to friends I just love aprons and have a growing collection along with other vintage linens. The words on the page speak to me and bring up all kinds of creative ideas for my own aprons.
I enjoyed this book and have given several as gifts to friends I just love aprons and have a growing collection along with other vintage linens. The words on the page speak to me and bring up all kinds of creative ideas for my own aprons.
July 29, 2016
2.5 stars. An odd little book that includes photos of vintage aprons and patterns (I enjoyed these), brief memories of family aprons from random people, a few recipes and patterns. Also some kitchen/housekeeping advice, mostly of the “duh!” variety such as “Place cooked foods on a fresh plate or platter; don’t reuse the plate that held raw meat, chicken, or fish.”
January 12, 2009
I loved the stories about aprons in this book. They made me think of my mom wearing her apron while baking and cooking. In fact, she still wears her apron and she wore it when I went home for christmas! I must make an apron and start wearing it while I cook!
February 14, 2009
This book was clichéd and not particularly insightful. There are a few patterns and a few stories from people other than the author and a whole lot of nothing in between. I guess I was expecting a little more in depth research on cultural changes, implications, etc. Disappointing.
July 20, 2020
A fun look back at the once-indispensable apron...I have two saved from my grandma's collection and they are beautiful. (According to the author, these were definitely not the "everyday" aprons but more for a special occasion.) A very intriguing and well-written slice of women's history
June 12, 2012
Excellent book and very well written. All of the apron stories brought so many heartwarming remembrances of my own family apron stories. Five stars to Geisel for good stories, very nice orgaization, layout, beautiful photos and artwork! Glad I purchased my own copy of this one!
February 24, 2016
I enjoyed this book and the memories shared of times in the kitchen with family, homemade aprons, and the history of aprons. Many patterns to make your own. Loved the photos too, saw many that reminded me of my moms.
May 12, 2016
A delightful celebration of an iconic article of clothing! Geisel shares the different roles that the apron played throughout history, with beautiful photos of vintage pieces. The information is interspersed with apron patterns, personal stories, recipes, and helpful household information.
June 23, 2017
Very good book about aprons. Patterns and how tos. What surprised and pleased me was the history and stories of different aprons and people's experiences with aprons. The pictures were a great plus! I'm a sucker for historical details!
June 13, 2008
i would lean more toward 2 1/2 stars, but we can't do half stars on goodreads, so it's only going to get a two from me.
the idea of this book is really cute. i like the pictures of all of the aprons, although a lot of them are pretty silly. the holiday aprons to match your holiday tablecloth, with red and green plaid puffy bows and dangling candy canes? a bit over the top.
some of the stories and memories of "grandmas apron" were sweet and fun to read. there were a few apron patterns in the book, although only one or two that i would actually find useful for myself, and even those were so basic that you could probably find them easily online or in a basic sewing book.
there was just too much randomness placed throughout this book for my taste. a few random recipes, household cleaning tips, shopping advice. just bits of "fluff and filler" placed here and there, and without it, the book wouldn't really be long enough to be considered a book.
cute, nostalgic if you grew up with an apron wearing mama or grandma, but in the end, i'm glad i didn't pay for it.
the idea of this book is really cute. i like the pictures of all of the aprons, although a lot of them are pretty silly. the holiday aprons to match your holiday tablecloth, with red and green plaid puffy bows and dangling candy canes? a bit over the top.
some of the stories and memories of "grandmas apron" were sweet and fun to read. there were a few apron patterns in the book, although only one or two that i would actually find useful for myself, and even those were so basic that you could probably find them easily online or in a basic sewing book.
there was just too much randomness placed throughout this book for my taste. a few random recipes, household cleaning tips, shopping advice. just bits of "fluff and filler" placed here and there, and without it, the book wouldn't really be long enough to be considered a book.
cute, nostalgic if you grew up with an apron wearing mama or grandma, but in the end, i'm glad i didn't pay for it.
Want to read
February 21, 2009I just got this and just flipping through it, it looks fascinating. I love the retro pictures and there's even a paper pattern for making a basic apron. I have an obsession with reading books about the culture of the kitchen, which is ironic, since I hate to cook except for dessert. But books like Finding Betty Crocker The Secret Life of America's First Lady of Food and Something from the Oven Reinventing Dinner in 1950s America I absolutely devoured (so to speak).
August 13, 2008
I checked this book out from the library because I hoped it would have patterns for different styles of aprons. (I want to make an apron sometime in the near future.) It only had a few basic type of patterns, so I was a little disappointed there. Some of the history of aprons was kind of interesting, but I'm not really into that type of thing. I did enjoy all the photos of vintage aprons of all different types and styles, and I think I can use the author's patterns and come up with one of my own.
October 12, 2017
A collection of memories and historic anecdotes of the familiar symbol of housekeeping. I recently ran across the new tradition of "Tie One On Day" celebrated just before Thanksgiving when you gift the cook of the traditional feast. As I have passed on that privilege to the next generation, this book has provided several ideas for me to sew up a "uniform" for them. I hope there will be enough time to make a few for the volunteer staff at the local food bank. The book is sprinkled with recipes from the 1950s but I doubt I will bring a Jello mold as my contribution to the meal.
January 15, 2008
For anyone who still enjoys tying on an apron in the kitchen. Overly nostalgic and over the top at times, it's a worthwhile read for a few of the patterns, the shared memories, and the random "life" advice scattered throughout the pages.
March 26, 2009
wow, please buy me this book, teach me how to use my sewing machine, give me the materials and the time!
Stories and pictures of the most adorable aprons-- my favorite must have for cooking and cleaning!
Stories and pictures of the most adorable aprons-- my favorite must have for cooking and cleaning!
August 30, 2018
The Apron Book had a nice selection of different apron styles with instructions and there were even some recipes, which was a pleasant surprise. I also enjoyed the overview of aprons’ usefulness.
September 2, 2009
great stories and great ideas to make aprons, I wish I knew more gals that would wear aprons as I'd be an apron making fool.
January 23, 2008
I loved this little book! Aprons are returning and make a great collection. I loved the recipe included in the book for "Chicken Olivia".
June 20, 2008
Lovely photos of vintage aprons, and sweet stories about the place aprons have held in our history.
June 30, 2008
Lots of lovely apron eye candy, and sentimental stories. Cute book. Includes a pattern, which I didn't try out since the book was from the library :)
September 12, 2008
LOVE this book! There are some fun little stories in here about aprons and their sentimental link to HOME and FAMILY!
November 16, 2008
A very fun trip down memory lane. It made me both miss and appreciate my Grandma. The book was full of patterns, stories, and tips-yes tips-on household things that Grandma was expert at.
July 20, 2009
secretly I've always loved an apron. now I know I can get some aprons and wear them with pride. (guess what my sisters are getting for xmas?)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews