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-   -   Apron collection at museum! (https://www.quiltingboard.com/general-chit-chat-non-quilting-talk-f7/apron-collection-museum-t91210.html)

pgthom 01-16-2011 06:34 PM

I am excited to have been asked to share my vintage apron collection at our county museum! I contacted them last year, suggesting a display of aprons would be fun around Mother's Day. They politely told me they had all the displays booked for the year, but would call me if they were interested in the future (I thought, don't hold my breath!)

Well, they did call in November. They are featuring a display about "How Michigan Eats" all about food which is grown or produced in Michigan, and thought the aprons would be a nice tie-in. (No pun intended, LOL!) Little did I know how much work this would be! I took three large bins down for "audition" and then the curator came to my house to select which ones to display. She ended up choosing over 70 different ones for the show. BFF and I starched and pressed them all, hung them on hangers, and I have taken the first group to the museum. Rest will go tomorrow. They will hang on clotheslines, with old style clip clothespins. We will use "props" in the bottom of the glass cases, such as old kitchen utensils, cookbooks, sewing supplies, etc.

The categories include gingham with chicken scratch, feedsack, food patterned fabrics, old white lawn from the early 1900's, calicoes, and children's aprons.

Once the display is hung, I will get pics and post some here. I was amazed to realize my collection now numbers around 200 aprons! Once friends know you collect, they give them to you. I can hardly resist the charming ones I find at estate sales and resale shops. My research values them at between $10-$25 each, so quite a collection. I never pay more than $2-$5 even if they are very special. I enjoy making contemporary aprons by using the vintage ones as patterns. Hope you will enjoy seeing the display!

Cyn 01-16-2011 06:38 PM

Can't wait to see the pictures!

Vicki W 01-16-2011 06:39 PM

This is so cool. Please make sure you share photos. I love old aprons as well. I have several but have never thought of them as a collection. Thanks for sharing.

frugalfabrics 01-16-2011 06:49 PM

will it be in Kazoo?

Grama Lehr 01-16-2011 06:50 PM

That is really cool!

pgthom 01-16-2011 06:57 PM


Originally Posted by frugalfabrics
will it be in Kazoo?

Yes, in downtown Kalamazoo, from mid Jan-mid April at the free public museum. When I post pics I will add the dates and specifics. Thanks for your interest.

Celeste 01-16-2011 06:58 PM

Ooh, love to see pictures!

frugalfabrics 01-16-2011 06:58 PM

ok, great...sometimes I get over that way...I'll watch for the details.

Quiltforme 01-16-2011 07:12 PM

Oh I wish I lived closer I would visit what an honor thank you for doing this for the preservation of history!!

gmaybee 01-16-2011 07:45 PM


Originally Posted by pgthom

Originally Posted by frugalfabrics
will it be in Kazoo?

Yes, in downtown Kalamazoo, from mid Jan-mid April at the free public museum. When I post pics I will add the dates and specifics. Thanks for your interest.

Thanks, I want to go too. I think my husband would like it also.


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