Nana's Aprons

Somehow I inherited two aprons and a pair of bloomers that belonged to my great grandmother. I love them all. Each with tiny hand stitches, so perfectly done. The bloomers full of tucks and embroidery around the bottom of the legs.
Often times I wish I could use the aprons but they are fragile. So this past week, I made copies of them, as close as I could that is. I used durable lace and cotton in place of the batiste so they can be tossed in the washer. Actually I made two of each but have sewn only one of each. The others will have to wait for a later date to be sewn up.Sewing them was a bit like stepping back into my great grandmothers place. Thinking about how each one was cut out so long ago, and how the plans were made as to how the finished apron should look. Perhaps my great grandmother saw an apron like hers someplace and decided she wanted one like it, or maybe she just dreamed it up. How I wish these aprons could talk.
I am sure they were used for serving tea and not for kitchen duty.

The aprons. Still on the search for the perfect lace for the pocket on the one apron.
My Great Grand-parents William Seward Neil and Alberta Jane Hines Neil. On the far left of the photo , my Uncle Bill and on the right my Uncle Ronnie. My mothers brothers.