Hand made apron for my collection.

This charming apron was made for me by Judy in NSW.  We are members of a forum that conducts exchanges between members, and for this exchange we had to make something using recycled materials.
Judy explained to me that the cream and blue materials were from the sides of worn sheets.  The lace had been passed on several times and ended up with Judy, while the straps for the neck and waist are 'pyjama girdles', very old but unused.

Some more aprons!

At last I have some more aprons to add to my collection, thanks to a dear friend who manages an opshop, and keeps an eye out for interesting pieces for me!

 Half-apron with heavily worked thistles. 

 Very old apron with someone's initials on the pocket. 

 Another old one with sweet design of lady with cat.

 Pretty floral design.

Unfortunately this apron has a binding of dark blue bias binding, and the blue 'bled' into the other items when I soaked them all in Napisan over night. Fortunately I was able to rinse the run out of the other aprons pretty well, but this fabric is a coarse calico and the blue has stained it badly.

Two vintage aprons.

My fellow apron collector friend at the Embroiderers Guild was culling her collection recently, and didn't want these two aprons any more, so she asked if I'd like to have them. Yes please! Old and faded, but much loved, and will continue to be loved in my collection :-)

Apron Show at Castlemaine, Vic.

Last week I visited the country town of Castlemaine, to attend an exhibition of vintage aprons. It is being held at a historic homestead named Buda. None of these aprons are from my collection, but I'm posting some photos on this blog because I know the readers will enjoy seeing them. If anyone reading this has any objection to my posting these photos here, please leave a comment or email me direct, and I will remove them. Don't want to tread on anyone's toes!

It was fascinating for me to note that not one of these aprons is the same as any that I have in my own collection. A couple are similar, but not exactly the same. I love the half apron made from ties - I will definitely try to make one of those some time with my vast stash of neckties!

Amazing collection of aprons!

Recently I received an email from a lady in NSW who wanted to know more about the reversible apron I featured on here some time ago. Unfortunately I couldn't supply any details as the apron was given to me by a friend who found it in an opshop, and there is no way of telling whether it was handmade or mass produced. This person told me she makes aprons as well as collecting them, and provided a link to her Flickr site. I've asked her permission to post a link to it here, but I'm doing it anyway, as I don't think she will mind! All you ladies who read this blog MUST check this Flickr site out - you will be gobsmacked by the vast array of gorgeous aprons!
The site is http://www.flickr.com/photos/pavlova_is/

Two aprons added to the collection.

I found these at the newly opened Waverly Antique Bazaar today. I took these photos before I washed and ironed them, so they are a bit creased. The white one is particularly interesting; I've not seen an apron done in whitework like this before. It is difficult to see on this pic, so I'll try for a better one after I've ironed it.
Isn't the orange and black apron a cute design! It made me laugh when I picked it up for a closer look.

Another green gingham half apron.

The previous post here was one month ago, and I had a photo of a green gingham half apron. Well, guess what I received for Christmas from my good friend LeeAnn who works in an opshop? This gorgeous green gingham half apron! But this one has the added bonus of lovely red crocheted crinoline ladies.