Aprons in SCA Periods
Protective garments have probably been used ever since people wore garments that needed protecting. And some even became fashion statements, particularly in later periods. This is an overview of some of the aprons that existed in periods and cultures represented in the SCA. The aprons we will discuss here are those that had a purpose of protecting the garments worn under them, rather than be a strictly fashion or military garment.
Early periods: The vast majority of early aprons were probably pieces of cloth tied around the waist or tucked into a belt. This type of apron is depicted on both men and women throughout SCA periods
I have found few examples of Roman empire period protective aprons. These were mostly worn by slaves or servants, which would explain the lack of images. Those I found were simply a piece of cloth tied around the waist or draped across the lap, are being used by women involved in textile production; an activity done by women at all levels of society.
The Viking "apron dress" is actually not an apron. It was given that name by modern archeologists because of their resemblance to aprons, not because it was their function. Again, most likely a piece of cloth was used, or people had old garments that they wore when involved in messy pursuits. A decorative garment that looks like an apron tied at the waist was worn by the Kievan Rus, It is also not a true apron.
Likewise, aprons depicted in period in Egypt, Africa and India were actually garments, often highly decorative, rather than a truly protective garment. I found one example of an apron on a Chinese man, but with no explanation of it's purpose. There are many depictions of servants in Persian art of the 15th and 16 Cs, but none of them appear to be wearing a special protective garment.
Depictions of actual protective garments begin to be seen in the 13th C, and are quite common in Books of Hours, Breviaries, and Bestiaries of the 14th C and 15th C. Aprons in these periods were sometimes decorative as well as functional, and there were several styles. By the 16th C, the merchant classes were becoming richer, and the aprons worn by women of that class could be embroidered, woven with patterns, smocked, and made of the finest linen. However, functional plain aprons were still common for the people doing the actual dirty jobs. Blacksmiths aprons were often made of leather or heavy canvas, but most functional aprols would be made a of study white linen that could be washed and bleached.
Making period style European aprons
1. Tuck a large piece of hemmed linen into your belt, or tie it around your waist.
2. Add a band at the top of your piece of linen that is long enough to tie around your waist.
3. Cut two pieces of linen long enough to go from your lower neck to your mid thigh, and wide enough to go half way around your body. Hem all sides, then make a casing on the top edges. You can use a strip of fabric, cord, or some other sturdy piece of narrow wear (woven trim, fingerloop braid, lucet braid, chain stitch, nalbinding, etc.) to run through the casings, making sure it will fit over your head. Knot this, and bury the knot in the casing of your back piece. You can add side ties if desired. Alternatively, you can sew the two pieces together at the sides, leaving room for your arms. (see below apron views)
4. A simple, short surcoat made of sturdy linen.
5. Tutorial for a smocked top apron.
https://maniacalmedievalist.wordpress.com/2012/11/24/pleated-embroidered-smocked-apron-mock-up-1/
6. The "blacksmith" style apron is very similar to modern bib top aprons. They are simple to make, and can be heavy linen or canvas.
Early periods: The vast majority of early aprons were probably pieces of cloth tied around the waist or tucked into a belt. This type of apron is depicted on both men and women throughout SCA periods
I have found few examples of Roman empire period protective aprons. These were mostly worn by slaves or servants, which would explain the lack of images. Those I found were simply a piece of cloth tied around the waist or draped across the lap, are being used by women involved in textile production; an activity done by women at all levels of society.
The Viking "apron dress" is actually not an apron. It was given that name by modern archeologists because of their resemblance to aprons, not because it was their function. Again, most likely a piece of cloth was used, or people had old garments that they wore when involved in messy pursuits. A decorative garment that looks like an apron tied at the waist was worn by the Kievan Rus, It is also not a true apron.
Likewise, aprons depicted in period in Egypt, Africa and India were actually garments, often highly decorative, rather than a truly protective garment. I found one example of an apron on a Chinese man, but with no explanation of it's purpose. There are many depictions of servants in Persian art of the 15th and 16 Cs, but none of them appear to be wearing a special protective garment.
Depictions of actual protective garments begin to be seen in the 13th C, and are quite common in Books of Hours, Breviaries, and Bestiaries of the 14th C and 15th C. Aprons in these periods were sometimes decorative as well as functional, and there were several styles. By the 16th C, the merchant classes were becoming richer, and the aprons worn by women of that class could be embroidered, woven with patterns, smocked, and made of the finest linen. However, functional plain aprons were still common for the people doing the actual dirty jobs. Blacksmiths aprons were often made of leather or heavy canvas, but most functional aprols would be made a of study white linen that could be washed and bleached.
Making period style European aprons
1. Tuck a large piece of hemmed linen into your belt, or tie it around your waist.
2. Add a band at the top of your piece of linen that is long enough to tie around your waist.
3. Cut two pieces of linen long enough to go from your lower neck to your mid thigh, and wide enough to go half way around your body. Hem all sides, then make a casing on the top edges. You can use a strip of fabric, cord, or some other sturdy piece of narrow wear (woven trim, fingerloop braid, lucet braid, chain stitch, nalbinding, etc.) to run through the casings, making sure it will fit over your head. Knot this, and bury the knot in the casing of your back piece. You can add side ties if desired. Alternatively, you can sew the two pieces together at the sides, leaving room for your arms. (see below apron views)
4. A simple, short surcoat made of sturdy linen.
5. Tutorial for a smocked top apron.
https://maniacalmedievalist.wordpress.com/2012/11/24/pleated-embroidered-smocked-apron-mock-up-1/
6. The "blacksmith" style apron is very similar to modern bib top aprons. They are simple to make, and can be heavy linen or canvas.
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