Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Vintage Aprons and Flower Pots


This week's edition of Vintage Thingie Thursday features the ever-so-patient Dolly, modeling a few vintage aprons and flower pots from my collection. Can she strike a pose, or what? Rock steady, that girl. My camera steadiness, on the other hand, is a different matter.

What can I tell you about the aprons? Well, they all appear to be handmade, except the purple one, which has a tag. Even that indicates it is a "Home Sewed Apron," which is interesting.


Stamped along the selvage edge on the apron tie is "E&W Quadriga Cloth." Apparently, this was a very fine percale that was touted as colorfast and was a major hit with the home sewers, back in the 1930s to '50s, from what I could gather about it. It was made by a company known as Ely & Walker of St. Louis, Missouri.

I think the bib apron is probably the oldest of the group, but I am no expert.

Likewise with the flower pots, I can't put a date on them, but I'm quite sure they all qualify as vintage. Most of the names are recognizable -- McCoy, Red Wing, Brush. Can't read the name on the pink one (USA something), but I seem to remember being told it may also be a McCoy.

You may know more about these things than I do. If so, feel free to enlighten me.

I just know that if I like it enough and the price is right, it comes home with me!

Inside this thrift store pattern was an unexpected treasure -- a little vintage apron pattern had been neatly folded and tucked inside by the previous owner!

I don't see a date on it, but judging by the style and unprinted pattern pieces, I'm guessing maybe 1950s or '60s? What do you think?

It calls for seven yards of rickrack!

While the pattern is not my size, I get the feeling Dolly thinks she deserves to be rewarded for all her hard work today. We'll see.

Thanks so much for visiting, and be sure to stop by Colorado Lady and all the VTT participants!

33 comments:

Unknown said...

Love all your aprons, they look so great I wonder if you use them, are just super-neat, or are really good at getting food out of things! I know that the yellow planter is McCoy. It is highly collectible as a brand. That particular style is pretty prevalent. I have 1 just like it and a smaller in turquoise. Love all the planters, too!

Toronto Yardsaler said...

I love everything you feature. If you wake up one morning and find a strange woman fondling your flower pots, that will be me.
Erin

Jocelyn said...

Love your aprons! They look great. And your planters are wonderful.

Jocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

Postcardy said...

The bib apron is really cool. I never was interested in aprons when they were popular, but now I am planning to make some "vintage" style aprons.

CC said...

Love those aprons...mu gosh,they are so pretty.
And I really like that little apron pattern tucked inside..what a sweet find.Happy VTT.. have a wonderful weekend.

Tara Beaulieu said...

LOVE your aprons. Oh, and Dolly told me she wants the yellow one to come live at my house... ;)

Stacey said...

The Christmas apron is my favorite- The colors are great! And your collection of flower pots is quite lovely.

Michelle said...

Dolly has a quite a wardrobe!

viridian said...

I don't know about following one of those patterns, but I am feeling a sudden urge to go to the fabric store and find one of those panels with the apron printed on it - all you have to do is sew it.

Maureen said...

Love, love, love the yellow apron. The pink planter could be California Pottery???

anythinggoeshere said...

This is such a pretty post with those bright and cheery springy colors. xo Joan@anythinggoeshere

Jane said...

I love all of the vintage aprons, they all look to be in such great shape. Dolly did a fabulous job modeling...she should meet the model in my studio.....her name is Shirley :-)
Jane

Unknown said...

I have been thinking about aprons all week, how I should wear them because I have them! LOL and I always make a mess of my clothes but oh man, do I want to make a mess of the aprons! LOL

Happy VTT
Tracy

thasnifty said...

Wonderful aprons. I have 2 very worn ones I found at a thrift store and never found another. Yours are sooooo much prettier. :)

Thanks for sharing.
Happy VTT too
-brightest blessings-
Karina

Sue McPeak said...

I came over on my return visit...thanks for visiting and commenting on my BC post...and I've been here for at least 30 minutes! Where have I been that I've not discovered your it's a 'BlastBlog'? You and I could talk it up for hours! Quilts, Royal Haegar, McCoy and APRONS! You are an ApronIsta, too...in that I am as well! Wonderful collection of Aprons and Lots of Other Stuff! I'm still wiping tears of Mirth over Herman Munsters ShitKickers...sorry ya'll about the 4 letter S word, but it's just not the same without the full Spellin....go read 'You Drive Us Wild Post' by this funny gal!

iheartsunnydays said...

I LOVE your flower pots, so colourful and divine!

iheartsunnydays said...

Oh..and the yellow apron is beautiful!

farmlady said...

What a great idea to show the aprons with the flowerpots. I collect McCoy pottery and have that yellow planter in my house. The pink one looks like a McCoy but I don't see that diamond pattern in my books. The USA mark was not always McCoy. A lot of companies used it. On McCoy pottery, USA was used alone from 1926 into the 1940's. You mentioned that you can't see part of the mark on the bottom of the pot. It might be the letters NM (for Nelson McCoy).The clay and glazing does look like a McCoy.
Very nice post!!

Susan Freeman said...

Wonderful collection of vintage aprons. I have a McCoy pot just like your yellow one, except that mine is in sage green. I use it to store colored and charcoal drawing pencils. Great post and it's so nice to meet you.

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Danylle McLain said...

I love these aprons! The purple and the yellow one! Well they are are just wonderful! The pattern is a true treasure!
Happy VTT!

Diann said...

What wonderful aprons! and all those vintage planters are so cute!

Debbie said...

What a fun collection of planters, the colors are great. I think aprons are making a come back, I see them all over these days.

Charlotte said...

Lovely aprons! I never could stand to wear one though. Read the post about the "Herman Munster" shoes! Too cute!

Coloradolady said...

Oh, these aprons are so cute...the Christmas one is just adorable. I love the planters too, I have a couple, one I keep in the bath to hold hair ties....Have a great VTT!

colorchic said...

Love the aprons! What a fun collection to have. My daughter has a collection she displays on hooks made of old forks & spoons.

teresa said...

Great Aprons and wonderful flower pots. There is nothing liike the old stuff.

Anonymous said...

I love your collections! The fabrics on the vintage aprons are just scrumptious!

SueWis said...

Love your aprons! And the pottery, too. I have that Simplicity pattern. I bought it new and made the stuffed tree when my kids were little (unbreakable Christmas decor). My pattern doesn't have that awesome vintage pattern inside, though!

Stephenie from Decorating Addiction said...

I absolutely love all of the aprons. I have a thing for aprons, but I am always spending money on new ones. I think I found a new item to search for in vintage! Thanks!

Vonlipi said...

My fave apron is the Xmas one (but I like them all). Love those planters! I wouldn't mind getting my hands on those!

Carrie said...

Your vintage aprons are all great designs, and the flower pots are wonderful finds as well!

Taylorsoutback said...

Just found your blog - our quilt history group just had a very fun program on aprons. I learned that the Lutheran ladies had an apron for each church function. Weddings, funerals, Sunday coffee service, etc. Just fascinating. Also love your sweet pastel colored pots. I owned bunches years ago & got rid of them not realizing what I had- shame on me. Only have 2 now. Drop by for a visit - I try to feature vintage items once a week at the end of my blog posting.
Another Wisconsin blogger.

Becky said...

I love, love, love your aprons!!!