A Is For Apron Book Review

I was delighted to find A Is For Apron's by Nathalie Mornu at the bookseller's shop last night. It is 144 pages of Apron love! Published by Lark books (from my hometown Asheville) and featuring 25 "fresh and flirty designs".

I love the first section of the book which tells a bit of apron history and then the 6 pages of vintage aprons made me swoon!

I have loved aprons since I was a young girl tagging along after my Grandmother as she went about her daily chores.
Whether she was gardening, hanging out laundry or just on the front porch in her rocking chair waiting for the humming birds to come, she was wearing an apron.
My Great Granny also always had an apron on and her pockets held small peppermints or sometimes a quarter or a button and I would sneak my small hand in and giggle as I chose my prize!
My Mom also wore an apron, quickly put on over her skirt and blouse as she came home from work to fix dinner and wash the dishes.
They all were well worn and slightly faded from use.
They symbolize love to me.
So it was delightful to find a new book devoted to one of my favorite things to make. Happy Mother's Day to me!!!

With fun names like Cakeland, Lemon Meringue, Summertime Blues, Marie Antoinette and Fairy Tale, I flip through the book quickly to give it that first mental review.
Yes, it is a good book.
Then slowly more deliberately, I go back and really read each description.
Will I use this book?
Maybe.

Probably some element, like a pocket or a undulating bottom edge.

I am truthfully sad that I am not in it. Big shot apron lover and creator like me...but I realize that I am a novice and have not yet paid my dues. I need to write articles and submit them and then we shall see if I can get an apron in a book!
I will say to keep an eye out for the July/August Cloth Paper Scissors Issue that will have a little art apron from me (how exciting is that?!!)
Anyway, I do like the patterns and  some of the fabrics that they used are charming but they are a little plain for me. You know how I like to gussy everything up! I do think that the patterns used are fun and doable by sewers of every level.

Whether it's your first apron or your tenth you could whip any of these in time for your dinner party tonight. There are some sweet children's size aprons and I love the fairy tale one with embroidered mushrooms and a rabbit and flowers.
All in all it is a great book! I'm putting it on my craft book shelf right beside The Apron Book by EllyAnne Geisel.
So, go get yourself one! Amazon has a good price, but if you can't wait for shipping I found it on one of the tables with the new books at the front of Barnes & Noble. Have fun getting your apron love on!

Comments

[Victoria]

I adore aprons and will have to keep a look out for this book. Congrats on the upcoming spot in CPS! I know that there is an upcoming apron challenge for Belle Armoire, I think the deadline is August, and I know that Somerset Studio is in the process of launching a new publication devoted to aprons called apron-ology! :)
Link:
http://www.stampington.com/html/postscript_04082008_pubs_jenny.html

[Gwen Delmore]

I saw this book at B&N yesterday, before I read your post. I think that your aprons are WAAY cooler than the ones in this book. Keep sending stuff out, I think a whole book of just YOUR creations would be in order...you are so talented and completely an original!!

[Tine]

I'm with Gwen Delmore....

[scarlett]

Give you a whoop whoop for Asheville and Lark Books and Earth Guild

The Clintons have pratically made Asheville their 2nd home this month. I even got to go to the movies with Chelsia. How cool is that.

Anyhoo, I just bought 5 Amazon books and spent my stimilus package already, so this one will have to go on my wish list. Also, in order to make an Calamity inspired apron, I must find someone comptetant enough to adjust my Husqvarna.

So, until that happens, please delight us with stories of the history of the apron. I simply can not wait another moment.

Did you know that the Mint Julip is 700 years old??

[Lynn]

Thanks for the review!

[jennifer m ramos]

Did you submit a proposal for the book? I've submitted a few for other books and I've gotten used to being tutned down. Pretty Little Patchwork? I'm ALL OVER that! So I'm honored to be in this one. I have bought two copies - one to give as a teacher gift and another to put in a school silent auction. I still haven't gotten my own copy. I can't wait. Some of the designs look really inspiring (not to mention the vintage aprons).

[Amy Wagner]

I also have warm apron memories from childhood. Pockets...oh don't get me started. An apron without a pocket would be like a chocolate with no taste!!!!! Disappointing and of no use!
Amy