I think that pillowcase apron (link provided by dlm2000)could be easily made. Some of the fancy aprons that jazmynsmom likes could be made by buying a dress pattern that was similar and just modifying it a bit, maybe? Grammy Britt always wore the ones that tied around the middle but had a bib. She didn't like straps on the bib, though, so she'd cut them off in a way that didn't show and pin the top two corners of the bib onto her dress front with little safety pins. She had a set for each apron, and when she took the apron off she'd attach the pins to the apron so they'd be handy the next time she used it. I remember sometimes she'd be working in the kitchen and have something on her hands and Gramps would walk in and give one of the apron strings a yank and leave her standing there with her apron just hanging. He thought it was a funny prank. I'd run up behind her and put my arms around her waist and feel for the ends of the strings so I could tie them back for her. She was such a precious little woman. She died of cancer when I was 15. I have an apron that my grandson made for me in Family Living class. I'm going to start wearing it. I've enjoyed everyone's posts. --Ilene

Yesterday I dropped off two bags to a smiling women who thanked me for my donation and then asked if I'd like a kiss as she showed me a basket of Hershey Kisses. I asked for two, one for me and one for my DD. We smiled as we drove away. Last week I saw an ad for an event being held the following day. People donate gently used formal wear, old prom dresses etc., to girls who could not otherwise afford to go to prom. Called the number to be told they were closed. Closed the day before the event that they advertised in the paper!?! Went online, no helpful info. Called back and listened to all my voice mail options and left a message that I had 2 dresses, cleaned and ready to go. Heard back 4 hours later that they would be downtown (20 minutes away) for a 3 hour window. Picked my DD up from school and hauled the dresses, in the rain, downtown. Found parking, schlepped thru the rain into the building only to pass a group of women. They mentioned that they were from the hosting organization and were closing an hour early. Handed them the dresses. No thank you just we'll take these off your hands. Didn't want much ,just thank you or thank you for your persistence. I have to take comfort in the fact that 2 girls will go to the prom in gorgeous dresses. I hope they have a wonderful night. Sometimes you just need to do the right thing even if there is no recognition, no thanks.

I wear an apron when I think of it..generally too late! I have several bib-type aprons I bought from a restaurant supply store many years ago (knee length and yes, the bib isn't wide enough) and though they are looking ratty, they still protect me from spills and splashes and give me a place to wipe my hands. I've also used them for approximate patterns to make gifts for friends. When painting, I have a pair of painter's coveralls which belonged to my beloved uncle who was about my size. They have paint on them from at least five decades (even wore them as a hallowe'en costume once) and they will be used until they simply rot away. Gardening is just the oldest, shabbiest jeans I can find because I crawl around in the dirt. Shirt must have long sleeves, though. Often an old men's shirt from SV de P or Goodwill, open, over a tank top. Lots of air circulation, cool enough, and limits sun exposure. I have a couple of aprons my grandmother made for me for my first marriage. Never wore either of them. They are half-aprons, hand embroidered. I may give them to my granddaughter, as she seems to be the only one in the family who treasures such things.

The world is drowning in excess textiles. It is a subject that has managed, in the recent weeks, to filter down through the massive coverage of our dire political situation. pending pandemic of disease, and unprecedented meteorlogical storms into the above the fold reporting. Most of what we give away has little to no value to anyone else. Even the third world communities are awash with it and it is filling up landfills on distant shores. I have seen the backrooms of the charity stores that are filled to the ceiling with stuff. Many of us have our stories how the charity has refused to take this or that when we brought it to them. There is just so darned much excess, of everything. I have done my fair share of it. Just yesterday things went from my house to the SA, including some clothing. Right now I still have a stack of mostly unworn things that I am trying to find a home for. When you read the business reports, one thing that seems to be happening is that retailers selling women clothes are registering a down turn in sales of clothes. There are many speculative reasons for that. Jane Fonda has declared that she is not going to buy anymore clothes for the rest of her life. Laudable? Maybe. But, considering her age and the fact that she likely has rooms full of clothes, it can't be much of a sacrifice for her. Still, it is symbolic and I certainly hope that it resonates. I am still pouring things that I need to get rid of out into the waste stream. But I have taken great efforts to not buy more stuff to replace it. It is hard to go against the tide of consumerism. It is such a strong tide.