vintage gingham aprons

My love of gingham aprons started many years ago when I inherited my Grandma Larson's red gingham check apron. Truly a treasured heirloom. I eventually found a yellow one and hung them from the hay hook, next to the lefse turner. Read THIS post if you want to know what in the heck a hay hook and a lefse turner is.


And then, something very strange happened... each of these vintage gingham aprons started showing up at my little thrift store that I visit often. One at a time. A dollar each. No two alike. All from the very same thrift store!


Seriously, I would go one day and find the pink one... a few days later the aqua blue one... and then maybe a red one the following week... and on and on. This went on for several months and then it tapered off a bit. I still find an occasional one now and again.


At one point I actually thought I was being set up... like I was being 'punked' or something... like it was all a joke to film me getting all excited and then they would steal my joy by telling me it was all a gag. So needless to say I started paying a little more attention to my appearance... you know, in case I show up on one of those new reality shows where they feature crazed women overreacting to their favorite finds. You gotta admit, it has potential. Heck, I'd watch it!



And here's the deal, not any two are the same. And I have a total of 20 gingham aprons hanging from a curtain wire in my craft room and several more on hooks. The exquisite chicken scratch embroidery, color hues and size of ric rac vary from apron to apron. All unique, one of a kind, treasured works of art.
(be sure to clic each pic and see for yourself)


So, let me ask you... do you suppose the same lady made all of these lovely aprons ? And did they arrive at my little thrift store as a collection? Then why didn't they want to put them out all at once? Why only one at a time? Sure makes you wonder...


But I really do believe that I, as a responsible thrifter, am rescuing them. Another words, they are like a family of gingham aprons that I have adopted, one at a time, so the collection can stay together. Hey you laugh, but it's what we do in the thrifting business, to leave our mark on the world. Ok, so I'm being funny... well sorta :)


Come on, you've got to admit, they look pretty awesome together. Oh and for those that are curious, I have them hung using the IKEA curtain wire w/ clips set.