Mod 60s and Boho 70s Apron Patterns

Stylish apron sewing patterns continued on into the 60s and 70s.  They were, however, a far cry from the ultra feminine domestic goddess aprons of the 50s!  Frills, embroidery and appliques were replaced by sleek lines, and no-nonsense design.  I really like this apron style, having several in this design.  They really are practical and protect the clothes, being the messy cook I am.

McCall’s pattern #8445 is dated 1966.  It features mod women with geometric haircuts, looking like the last thing they want to be doing is wearing an apron.  The feminist movement is just on the horizon, and it seems like McCall’s is trying to downplay the whole apron/housewife association.  In fact the pattern is for “Bazaar Aprons”;  I guess for the burgeoning womanly entrepreneur to make patterns to sell, not to actually (gasp!) wear.

McCall’s “Sample” apron pattern is dated 1975.  This is a quite ubiquitous pattern that I run across quite frequently, even some 37 years later.  Aprons, by this point, had become so unpopular that they had to disguise them as wrap dresses and call them “Butcher Aprons”.  And McCall’s, apparently, couldn’t even sell the pattern, opting to give them out as a “Sample” (i.e. free).

The Butcher style apron is still popular today.  In fact, my son made me a red and black flames butcher apron in his 7th grade Home Ec class a few years ago.  I wear it almost every day to cook in, and I love it!

While apron styles may come and go, and the popularity of aprons themselves will vary, I think there will always be aprons.  There is just such a sentimental attachment, paired with the mere usefulness of the thing that will always be around in some way, shape or form.  Thank goodness!  🙂

~Marilyn Huttunen