Aprons: The Necessary Accessory!

Although aprons are not mandatory in most professional kitchens, they have become a staple in the foodie community. From apron blog sites to Facebook groups for cooking enthusiasts, these iconic accessories are starting to appear outside the kitchen as well. So what’s all the fuss about?

Aprons come in various shapes and sizes, colors and styles, and can be sewn or bought ready made. There are fabric choices as well: cotton muslin for easy-care items; heavy denim or oilcloth for those with more demanding jobs; expensive silk or synthetics when you want your best clothes protected from grease stains. Aprons also come lined with velcro so you can keep your sleeves tucked securely inside them.

Many cooks wear their aprons year round. They are useful in the kitchen, where spills, splatters and drips happen. At home or at the market they keep your dishcloths clean and protect your clothing from grease. And it's just plain fun to wear them!

The Women’s Cooperative in Vancouver has been making apron patterns for more than twenty years. They are available as either a PDF file (for downloading) or a downloadable zip file that includes .dxf and .pdf files for cutting and sewing your very own aprons.

The patterns are designed by a team of professional crafters, quilters and sewers, but the instructions are simple enough for anyone to follow. Just add fabric and accessories. There are also some great tips on how to determine the length of an apron based on your height, what size to make it given your bust size or how to sew a sleeve if you want to make one that closes or ties at the neck.

If you are a member of a sewing group, see if they can help you with the more complex steps. If you are not, just follow the instructions provided and take your time. Like any new skill, sewing takes practice, but the results will be well worth it. The process of choosing fabric and making your own is exhilarating enough to make any budding seamstress want to try her hand at it again.

After all, who doesn’t look adorable in an apron? Everyone from jockeys to farmers to chefs has donned one as part of their uniforms. The Victorian apron, a long, straight-edged one that hit mid-calf and came down to just below the knees, was vastly popular in America during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.

The French Chef’s apron came out about twenty years later. Pinched at both ends and large enough to cover your whole waist, it was worn with pants or skirts. It opened down the front so you could reach into vegetable pans with ease. Even better, as the name implies, they were designed for use by cooks. That translates into lots of pockets for all your kitchen accessories—knives, ladles and even salt or pepper shakers—and lots of room for your hands.

Many cooks still wear them today. They are the best way to keep your clothes clean and stain free in a profession where you will be greasy and grimy after just a few hours. They come in handy when you are cooking outside or cleaning out your garage. Best of all, they make you look professional, regardless of whether or not you really are!

If you want to dress up an apron by adding some decorative flair—or if your flamboyant personality demands it—here are a few ideas on how to pep up your outfit:

Using the same color scheme as the garment, add handkerchiefs that match for potholders or pockets.

Conclusion

Aprons are not just for cooks anymore. As fashion statements, aprons have become the most iconic of kitchen accessories. Worn by everyone from the test-tube tongs to the sexy silicon bakers, they look great and perform even better. They have even gained an air of sophistication, becoming very popular as gifts among men and women who want to show off their culinary skills. In fact, some men like them so much they have started wearing them outside the kitchen!

Whether you are a professional chef or someone who enjoys cooking at home, there is a style of apron for everyone. They are useful in the kitchen because they keep your clothes clean and free from spills.