Vintage full apron red gingham button bodice

This apron is made by taking a beautiful like new vintage cotton cross stitched red gingham checked half apron and transforming it into a full apron. The added bodice and pocket are made using several vintage linens. An embroidered table runner with crochet lace trim was used for the button on bodice and two vintage crocheted hot pads were attached. One for the added pocket and the second as a button on hot pad. The bodice can be attached by buttoning it on or simply tucking it in as I have left the runner long to keep its charm. The neck ties are red with tiny white dots and self tie for easy adjusting. Look closely and you will see that the existing vintage apron skirt is embellished with beautiful cross stitching detail. I preserved the original ties on this apron so the tie in the back with a generous bow even on my XL size waist.

Whether you wear this apron to serve dinner or just brunch, it is fully washable and made to be appreciated.

All vintage linens are carefully washed and stains gently removed. No fully intact unblemished vintage linens were harmed in making these aprons.

Vintage style patterns are often used in repurposing the linens.

Some of my thoughts behind my new apron line, Vintage linen rebirth into vintage aprons. Often I need to fussy cut the embroidery to avoid a few stains and holes in the original linens. When possible, I line my aprons with soft muslin. The majority of the materials used are repurposed from the vintage linen. This style or repurposing existing materials is typical of 1940's wartime scrap aprons.

In the 1940s wartime UK everything was rationed and therefore in short supply. Everyone had to be thrifty and inventive of how to preserve things they had, and also recycle everything to make new things.
Make do and mend were the buzz words of the era, and upcycling and recycling were things everyone did to try and make ends meet.
Aprons were very popular at this time not only could they be made from recycled scraps of material but they also performed a function in that they kept your clothes clean, which meant that your clothes lasted longer.

With that spirit in mind, I am hunting for beautifully embellished linens to give a new life as a vintage style apron. In this quest I will pledge to not harm any vintage linen that is unblemished. I will honor the vintage linen and when it has given its full life in its current form, I will pass on its heritage in the form of an apron to be again cherished and loved.