Aprons in the 1860s could serve both decorative and useful purposes. There was a wide variety of style and trim choices. Nearly all aprons had a fitted waistband that buttoned or pinned shut. Those that had a bib were pinned to the dress bodice to hold them up.
Fancy Apron
Dressy aprons were often for show and could be include ruffles, embroidery, lace and applique. They were generally made from silk or fine sheer wool or sheer cotton. The waistband was typically fitted and closed with a button, hook or was pinned shut.
Little girls' aprons occasionally had shoulder straps but adult women's fancy aprons generally only had the skirt section.
Some aprons were specifically for handwork and included pockets for sewing supplies.
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| The Garden Seat : 'He Loves Me!' by John Dawson Watson 1858 |
Patriotic Aprons
Fancy aprons were considered a fashion statement and therefore a number of ladies used them to make a patriotic statement as well.
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| Patriotic Apron - Harper's Weekly 1861 |
Pinner Aprons
Pinner aprons were functional items used to protect the dress while doing a dirty job. They typically buttoned, hooked or were pinned shut at the waistband. The top was secured with straight pins to the dress bodice.
Solid colored cotton was vanishingly rare in this era, so most pinner aprons were either patterned cotton or wool. (Wool is a good fire retardant when working around a fire.)
Resources
Free Apron Pattern - The Sewing Academy
