Before and After–Apron Remodel
Posted by lindamartinandersen on November 24, 2015
“A Writer’s Playground” –A place to find wordplay, writing, and monthly calendar activities for kids and those young at heart.”
“Before and After–Apron Remodel” by Linda Martin Andersen
“I didn’t know people wore aprons anymore,” my sister said when she learned that our mother was sewing one for me. “Well I do,” I responded. Mostly, I wear the one from a couple of decades ago when I “moonlighted” as a part-time waitress. See definition of moonlighting here: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/moonlighting
I prefer a bib style apron, as did my grandmother. I inherited a few of her aprons, which I wear on special occasions. Or I did until their last wash left them thread-bare. I decided it was time to put these aprons on “inactive duty” and buy some new ones.
While shopping at the local downtown Farmer’s Market, I spotted some handmade aprons. I asked the vender if I could see the one hanging behind her in the booth. I loved its quilted skirt. Somehow the bib didn’t seem quite right to me. It was a little “loud” as my grandmother would have said. The bib pattern was mostly red, not pink or lavender like the skirt. Too bad it wasn’t the same material, so the two sections would blend perfectly. I tried to think how I could modify the bib–perhaps add a lace panel to soften the color. But as I stated to the clerk, “I’m not a lace kind of girl.” As I pondered some more, the clerk discounted the price, saying that people didn’t like the quilted bottom–that it was too heavy. Funny, because that was what attracted me to it. The vendor wanted to move on the sale. I bought the apron and walked away determined to find a way to change it to “fit” me.
At home, I tried on the apron again and decided I could sacrifice some of the skirt length. If I did, stripes could be added across the bib to tie the two sections together. There was enough material to make three stripes. Sounded just right to me. I also needed a way to adjust the tie around the neck.
Next step: Call in the expert. My mother took my vision and added her skills. That’s teamwork! Thanks, Mama. I’m pleased with the outcome.

Apron–Before. Copyright 2015 Linda Martin Andersen

Apron–After. Copyright 2015 Linda Martin Andersen
This is pretty much how I approach my writing. I get a story idea–the before. I write it, get it critiqued, revise and I may even try to sell it. If I am not successful, I usually decide to let the story rest. Time to write some new stories, I think. But every once in a while, something reminds me to pull an old story back out for a remodel. And guess what? The one that’s calling me now is about aprons. Imagine that! I’m thinking on how to modify it. I’m hoping I’m not still tied to the story’s apron strings. For explanation of this expression see here: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/apron-strings
After I revise the apron story, I’ll call in “experts.” My critique partners. I’m thankful for them. And after making additional changes, I’ll shop my story. Finding just the right buyer will be my apron celebration story!
Writing Prompt: Have you ever been tied to someone or something’s apron strings? Who helps move your projects from before to after? Thank you for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.” I look forward to your comments. Please remember that children 13 and under need an adult to comment for them. For more fun, sign up to follow my blog. Thank you!
This entry was posted on November 24, 2015 at 6:45 am and is filed under Activities for teachers and parents, Careers, crafts, Critiquing writing, Family Discussions, Homeschool Activities, Sewing, Social Studies, Uncategorized, Writing, Writing Prompts. Tagged: a little loud, A Writer's Playground, apron, apron remodel, before and after, bib aprons, call in the experts, critique partners, Farmers' Market, grandmother's aprons, inactive duty, Linda Martin Andersen, modify, moonlighting, personalize, quilted apron, remodel, sewing aprons, tied to the apron strings, vision, writing prompt. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
joyacey said
This is great! What a pretty apron. Mom did a great job helping and I love your story. Well done.
lindamartinandersen said
Thanks, Joy. I’m glad you enjoyed my story. Happy Thanksgiving to you! I’m imagining you wearing an apron and preparing a feast, but then again what about that arm? I hope it’s much better. I appreciate you and your lovely poetry. Thanks for helping me be thankful for things seen and unseen!
Joan Y. Edwards said
Dear Linda,
You did an outstanding job of relating how you asked your mother…called in the expert to help change your newly bought apron and compared it to writing a story and calling in the experts to help you revise it and make it the perfect style!
You are so very clever, Linda Martin Andersen.
Celebrate you and your fun ideas!
Joan
lindamartinandersen said
Wow, what nice compliments. Thank you, Joan. I’m glad the comparison came through and made sense. Thanks for letting me know that too.
Carol baldwin said
Other connections between you and me Linda: I can’t cook without an apron. My mother and grandmother always tied one around their waists when they entered the kitchen, so do i. My mother also sewed a lot; you are fortunate to still have your mother to take your projects to. Enjoyed this blog and I think a story about aprons can be super! Look forward to reading it!
lindamartinandersen said
Carol, I have decided I have a lot of kindred spirit sisters and you have to be one of them. Yes, I am blessed that my mom is still living and capable of doing so much. I appreciate your encouragement about an apron story. It’s a little different than you might expect. If you’d like, I’ll share it with you when I have it ready to share.
I think you should hide your apron on nights you want to eat out. 😉 Teasing! I know your sweet hubby would take you out any time you want.
Thanks again for commenting and for being my friend.
Tracy Campbell said
Hi Linda, I’m with your sister, I didn’t know anyone wore aprons anymore, but then again I don’t like cooking. LOL And I love the revamped apron. It looks beautiful. And the analogy on writing “ties in” nicely. 🙂
lindamartinandersen said
Hi Tracy,
No worries about not liking to cook. There are plenty of places out there that will take care of you and any others accompanying you.
Thanks for letting me know you like the revamped apron. I take that as a strong compliment coming from an artist like you. I’m glad you think my analogy ties in nicely. It was fun to write.
Thanks for commenting.
eightpawswriting said
This was a fun analogy! Well done, Linda. I haven’t ever worn an apron, but I sewed. Good job on the revision!
lindamartinandersen said
Thanks for letting me know the analogy was fun. And a big thank you for the good wishes on my revision. If I hadn’t learned to wear an apron as a waitress, I might not enjoy wearing one so much.
All the best with your writing!
Theresa Jones said
Love the apron revision!!
lindamartinandersen said
Thanks Theresa. Great to have you here and appreciate the compliment. Come again soon! Happy Thanksgiving!