Tie One On Day Celebrates 12 Years of Kindness
Apron maven EllynAnne Geisel is the creator of Tie One On Day, celebrated annually on Thanksgiving eve as an opportunity to put the “give” back into Thanksgiving through acts of kindness. EllynAnne first wrote about aprons and domesticity back in 1999, and her passion for the apron has led her to curate a national traveling exhibit, author books on the subject, and create vintage inspired aprons for her company, Apron Memories. EllynAnne joins us in celebration of the 12th year of Tie One On Day, and has a surprise giveaway for our WeAllSew readers!
Twelve years ago, as I was preparing for the next day’s Thanksgiving, a neighborhood family’s tragedy came to mind. Their holiday was not going to be about pumpkin pies.
I spontaneously wrapped a sweet bread in a handy piece of cloth—an apron, and slipped a handwritten card of condolence in the pocket. Still wearing my own apron, I walked out the front door and within a block was presenting the wrapped treat to a very surprised and appreciative neighbor.
Returning home, I felt unexpected joy. That such a simple act had made someone else happy, and my heart swell as well, was an experience I knew needed to be shared. So I created Tie One On Day (…an apron, of course!) as a yearly encouragement to give from the heart through an act of kindness before giving thanks on Thanksgiving.
Celebrated throughout November and especially on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving (Nov. 22 this year), Tie One On Day™ participants are encouraged to wrap a baked good in an apron or other cloth and tuck in a personal note; then deliver their offering to a neighbor, friend or organization in your community that could benefit from a thoughtful gesture.
Want to sew an apron? You can find some fun tutorials right here on WeAllSew; such as the upcycled denim apron, the bbq denim apron, the patchwork café apron or the farm fresh kids apron, just to name a few.
By adopting Tie One On Day as part of your Thanksgiving tradition, you make someone’s day brighter through an act of kindness. So, tie one on (…an apron, of course!) and begin putting the “give” back into Thanksgiving.
BERNINA is a dedicated, long-time supporter and sponsor of TOOD and shares in the belief that through acts of generosity and kindness, there will be worldwide change. To encourage you to sew and to share in the love of giving, BERNINA and I have an exciting opportunity for one lucky WeAllSew fan to win a personalized copy of The Apron Book, an apron sewn by me, and a bundle of goodies from BERNINA! Read on below to find out how to enter for a chance to win.
My heartfelt thank you to BERINA USA for this extraordinary and loving way of bringing awareness to Tie One On Day 2017.
Gratefully, EllynAnne
Give from the heart; then give thanks!
Tie One On Day Giveaway!
A big Tie One On congratulations to our winner, WeAllSew user sandrichal! We hope you enjoy your prize package!
A personalized copy of EllynAnne Geisel’s The Apron Book, one of EllynAnne’s handmade aprons, and a bundle of BERNINA goodies will soon belong to one lucky WeAllSew fan! All you have to do is post a comment below sharing a favorite apron memory or story, the giveaway is open through Friday, November 10th at midnight.
We’d also love to see aprons you are making at our Community section, don’t forget to snap a photo and share it with us. For instructions on how to upload your image and your story on the Community section click here.
The giveaway is open to residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia. One comment per fan. Comment must be submitted to the WeAllSew.com blog by November 22, 11:59 PM Central Time. Winner will be chosen randomly. Winner will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to contact to claim the prize.
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60 comments on “Tie One On Day Celebrates 12 Years of Kindness”
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What a great idea! I’m starting this in my family this year with my kids and some friends and I hope it catches on with them. I will be including a copy of this post as part of the gift, I hope that’s okay! Thank you!
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When I was about 14years old, I was asked by the bride’s mother to help serve the dinner at the wedding reception dinner. What an honor for me. The bride’s mom had made beautiful white aprons for the “helpers”. I
had never had my own apron before this. I always used one of my Mom’s or grandmas. I loved that little white apron, and whenever I remember this Mom, I will always remember the little white apron that still makes me smile. -
My Mother wore an apron with pockets every day! Sunday mornings with a houseful of children was always chaotic. She cooked breakfast, started lunch and got kids ready for church. Throwing on her tattered coat and hurrying out the door for church she forgot to take her apron off! Not a problem for her. After all it was her Sunday apron.
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I love aprons and even have a few vintage ones. I also love the idea of giving to others and will look for a way to do a random act of kindness.
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My favorite apron is one that my sister made for me. It has “Kiss The Cook” embroidered on the bib section. I’ve received many a kiss while wearing that apron, and it is always fun to wear it!
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Aprons are living memories of my childhood and my favorite Grandmother, Nahnie. She almost ALWAYS wore an apron, except for church on Sunday. I learned to cook, can, knit, crochet, embroider, play cards and play the board game, Pacheesi, with those aprons. Whenever I put an apron on, I am reminded of how fortunate I was to have this matriarch as a mentor and role model.
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Growing up, we always had aprons to pull out of the drawer. I’m pretty certain they were all hand made by my mom or grandma. Most were very simple affairs of a gathered skirt and a waistband tie. Some had store-bought hand towels cut in half and sewn into the waistband, making a super handy place to wipe your hands. I’m pretty sure I even made some of the apron choices over time. But my favorite apron memory is a recent one. While I am an avid sewer, my sister is not. I think she’s allergic to sewing if truth be told, but she is HIGHLY appreciative of hand crafted gifts. A few years ago I made her an apron for Christmas. It was a very traditional design, very country farm vintage style with a Peter Pan collar and shoulder straps that criss-crossed in the back before tying into the waist. But I didn’t make it with vintage fabrics, I used Robert Kaufmann Effervescence as the body, lavender collar, dark purple straps, and two crazy white and orange geometric prints for the skirt ruffle. It went way beyond any color scheme that made sense, but it’s what my sister loves and in the end, it totally worked. She opened up her gift and IMMEDIATELY put it on. It was worn all day, including on her drive home that evening. She loved my “whole lotta crazy” apron, and that always makes you feel good!
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Love this idea. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and this would be a wonderful addition to our family traditions.
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Oh my, I love aprons. I have several of my Granny’s. Fond memories of being at granny’s house, she always had an apron on, whether she was cooking or cleaning. Some she had sewed a small towel to the waist so she always had a towel close. One Sunday morning we were walking to church and she looked down and noticed she had her apron on! this was a nono for church, she took it off and stuffed it in her purse. I always look for old aprons at garage sales and flea markets.
This has inspired me to make a few. Going to have thanksgiving with future in-laws so that would be a nice gesture to take a dish wrapped in an apron!
Sandra -
I remember when I was at my great-aunt ‘s house for a meal after church. She brought out aprons for everyone to wear when we ate so we didn’t get our Sunday best clothes dirty.
That was the only times I ever saw my Dad wear an apron.
Diana-
My grandmother, too, always wore an apron when she was cooking, cleaning, etc. She enjoyed baking and cooking. I was born too late to see her in the kitchen cooking for all the farm hands as I was born 13 years after my brother – he lived with my parents at my grandparents’ farm. However, my mother told me how days after she was married to my father, she was up before the sun came up cooking in the kitchen. First, was coffee and a light breakfast. Then at 10am, all the farm workers came in for a large meal consisting of meat, eggs, breads, etc. to provide them the energy to keep going while the sun was up. Later, another large meal was served. Food was important: it provided energy to keeping the body working . However, my grandmother actually enjoyed cooking and baking. In those times one living on a farm did not go to the store for bread and baked goods. These were all made in the home. Before my mother married my father, my grandmother was the only woman in the kitchen keeping these large meals on the table. Once my mother married my father, she joined the kitchen “staff” …growing to 2 women. Aprons kept both of them clean as they handled all the food items, including getting the eggs from the chickens, milk from the cows, and chopping off chicken heads the days they had fried chicken – to name a few tasks. My grandmother made her own aprons on her treadle machine – these aprons covered the front of the body Including the chest and lap areas. She used no patterns. These were work items that had to be available every day. Even after they leased out the farm to others to plant crops, she continued to make her aprons as she continued to bake cookies, cakes, pies, etc. When we visited, I remember standing on a chair by the kitchen counter helping to pluck out the feathers. I still have one of her aprons she made on that treadle. My grandmother never gave up baking, cooking, and sewing because it was something she truly loved! Moreover, her baked items were fantastic. During these her later years a local restaurant payed her to supply them with her baked items! I grew up learning to bake, cook, and sew…understanding these were important skill sets. In my family these tasks had great worth – for the baker as well as for the person receiving the baked goods!
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I love aprons. Years ago I was at a quilt guild and I won a Suttles and Seawind apron. It was gorgeous.
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My grandmother always wore an apron when cooking. I remember wearing an apron at her house to eat Sunday lunch between church and Sunday school. It kept our Sunday best clothing clean!
I love this idea of giving an apron with a treat. I’m thinking about trying it as my yearly charity sewing project – one of these years ? -
When my friend Marilyn moved to Tasmania, with four granddaughters in upstate New York, I made them all matching aprons and in the pocket of each girl’s apron was an age appropriate cookie recipe and in the pocket of Grandma Marilyn’s apron was all four recipes. The idea was for her to be able to skype and bake with her granddaughters.
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What a great fun idea! I love that it made you feel so good. Acts of kindness really do help us in our day to move forward and be a better person. I LOVE aprons and I am going to accept this challenge in honor of my grandma who spent her life in an apron and helping others! Thanks for the idea!
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This is a wonderful idea for a kindness project. My first apron memory is making a gingham apron in elementary school while the boys played cricket. It was made of pink gingham….a gathered half apron, and it was cross stitched. All created by hand including attaching the waistband.
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So many memories it is difficult to describe. My grandmother always wore a sheer apron while hosting holiday events at her house with 17 grandchildren. I am always making aprons for everyday and holidays. Recently my granddaughter asked for an apron to depict Cinderella to wear in a college class. Aprons are not just functional but a clever way to displsy ones personality. I hope tradition of spron wear continue as i found one from 1940s that my Aunt hand embriodered fgor a child. Sometimes I forget and wear my apron to town. Whatever ones memories are they will inevitably be joyful as the apron serves as a towel to dry tears. , a place to wipe ones hands, or just to serve as a reminder of days gone by.
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Grandma always wore an apron when we went long distance to visit her. I have very fond memories of her made from scratch goodies and the fun we had at Grandma’s house.
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I love this idea. I have done it a few times, but I am pledging is do it every year going forward. I will make tarts, give my farm fresh eggs and an apron of course. I have a couple people that I think would feel blessed to be remembered this way. Thanks for reminding us to give thanks and blessing to others with our talents.
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I have always thought vintage aprons are so beautiful. Unfortunately being of the plus-size variety many of them do not fit. I I have made a few frilly ones for myself but they still aren’t vintage. I hope to find a vintage one someday but I hope my son will always remember me and the kitchen with a very pretty apron as he gets older. To me aprons are one of those articles of clothing that signify the simpleness of Times Gone by.
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I have very fond memories of being able to help my grandmother in the kitchen. But before we started she would always tie an apron around my waist. I still have some of those aprons even though she passed away over twenty years ago. I’ve made my daughter and I matching aprons and everytime we cook together, she loves to put hers on.
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In the early 1960s, my mother had me make embroidered things for my “hope chest”. We stitched a lot of kitchen tea towels and pillowcases, but the only thing I remember as being really fun were the cross-stitched gingham aprons. I love the intricate designs that resulted from such a simple stitch!
Fun to make & fun to wear–what could be better? One of the few positive memories I have of my mother.
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Like a lot of commenters, my memories are of my wonderful grandmother. Whenever we visited she had on a floral apron, I rarely saw her without it. She was the kindest and sweetest grandma, always willing to listen to our little stories and always seemed to have fresh baked bread. She passed away when I was 12, but I still feel her in quiet moments. Thanks Bernina for the reminder to give to others while giving thanks!
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My sweet grandma always wore an apron. She has been gone for many years but I️ can still remember her putting on each morning before she began her day. I️ wear one when I️ Cook and always think of her when I️ put it on.
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I have great memories of aprons as both my Granmothers wore them. They are a must back in day. My first sewing project was an apron. So to keep the apron wearing going each Christmas my Granddaughter and daughter come over to make cookies and an Apron is a must!!
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My favorite apron was made for me by a very dear friend – she copied her favorite apron and used two fabrics together so it could be reversible. She is the kindest person I know and using the apron makes me feel like she is around the corner !! ?
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My Grandmother always wore an apron, always. She had several, but they were all the same style with large pockets that held all kinds of things like clothespins, kitchen shears, string, paper and pencil, small tubes of hand lotion. Depending on the job at hand, she carried what she needed in those large pockets. Sometimes her apron would develop a tear. She would get out her sewing kit and repair the apron rather than throw it away or declare it a rag, not quite yet anyway. I love aprons of all kinds. But, I especially love those aprons of the 1950’s and 60’s when my Grandmother would wear them as her everyday attire.
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On the last day of school before summer, I welcomed all my son’s classmates to our home and yard for picnic food and a fun afternoon. I made and wore a striped butcher-type apron with the word “SUMMER!” appliquéd in a curve on the front. I’ve used it every year since then, always packing it away with winter clothes to celebrate each new summer season. So many dear memories are tied up with those apron strings!
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My grandma! She always wore an apron, she had made the same style for so many years no pattern was needed.
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My grandma always wore aprons when she was in the house or her garden. My mother not so much except if she was doing something really messy. My father was a share-cropper and ever year at Christmas the landlords would give us some baked goods and a goose and of course a new apron for my mother. I very seldom wear an apron but I should probably start again as they are so handy to grab pot handles and other things.
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My mom always wore an apron while cooking which taught me to as well. It protects your clothes but it also makes me feel the transformation into cooking mode possibly like anyone does while putting their uniform on for whatever their line of work is. Now when my grandkids help cook they get to put on aprons to help.
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Love aprons–would love a book of patterns.
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I don’t think either of my grandmothers were cooks/bakers, my own mother a survivalist cook. Best present I ever received: a reversible, quilted, sewing apron made without a pattern by my daughter in my drafty sewing room Christmas eve. A lap rug that follows me to the ironing board and cutting table. Genius!
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My mother-in-law wore aprons when she cooked. I had the privilege to sew many up for her through the years. They are so
dear to me now as a remembrance of her, now that she has passed away this past spring. My favorite memory of her is her
wearing a vintage-looking apron I made for her that had a garden theme while she made her five-o-clock martini, dancing and singing along to the radio. She was a joyful women indeed. -
My son who is newly married just came to me and asked me to sew an apron for his wife for Christmas. I can’t wait to do sew, as it also means a shopping trip with my son, TO THE FABRIC STORE! Poor guy does not know what he is getting into. Somehow he has never ended up there with me before.
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I was a member of a Children’s Hospital Auxiliary. The auxiliary held an annual Christmas boutique to benefit the Free Bed Fund. I made an apron. It was a full length white broadcloth apron with a bib and ruffled shoulder straps. I cross stitch a “Roses are red. Violets are blue.” design with the verse, violets, roses and a heart on the bib. It was unmistakable and I loved it. But I did not make it for myself. Several years after the bazaar, I saw a series of advertisements for an upscale home decorating store in the newspaper. The pictures showed three or four women in elegant aprons and fashionable clothes holding rolls of wallpaper. The advertisements played up the traditional taste of the merchandise. What caught my attention was my apron, the “Roses are red. Violets are blue” apron; it was in all of the pictures. On a whim, I called the store to ask about it. I was told that the props for the picture were selected by a set dresser and that most likely she no longer had them. But the person I was talking to gave me the dresser’s name and telephone number. She also offered to send me copies of all the advertisements in the series. When I called the dresser, she confirmed that she no longer had the props in the pictures. But the apron I was asking about was hers; she bought it at the bazaar; she loved it; she kept it to wear every Christmas. It made my heart sing to know that the apron gave her so much pleasure.
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I learned to sew from my Nana. She always made cobbler’s aprons for the ladies at the church that worked the church suppers. My first task was to pin double folded bias binding on to the pocket edges, armholes and around the neck. To this day I love to apply bias binding to aprons. I still have her original pattern and have made a copy to preserve it. One year I made aprons for teacher’s gifts. They were all well received and appreciated.
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I think this is a lovely tradition. I have neighbors here in TX that would appreciate a kind word or deed this year. Thank you for the idea. I intend to take it up I my neighborhood.
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Aprons are fun to make, give, and they always save what you’re wearing while cooking.
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Growing up my grandmother had aprons for us grandkids to wear when we helped her in the kitchen. It was always fun to pick “the best one” when we were helping her.
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For as long as I can remember Mom wore an apron. Most of them had a bib as well as the skirt. I have some of them now, worn, stained, and a little shabby. They are still beautiful to me and serve as a remembrance of my little Mom.
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My very first sewing project was an apron!!! many, many years later, found a pattern I liked and made matching aprons for daughters-in-law and granddaughter. I well remember my grandmother and great grandmother always wearing aprons when they worked in the kitchen. Remember my grandmother dropping raw eggs in the apron pockets and then forgetting they were there! Oops!
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Thank you for sharing this wonderful idea. My grandmother always wore an apron and every time I put one on I smile at her memory.
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Both of my grandmothers wore pretty aprons when cooking. I always loved the pretty fabrics of their aprons. I also like to wear aprons but don’t have really pretty ones like they had. I always think of my grandmothers’ cooking whenever I see pretty aprons.
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My grandmother always wore an apron, every day – she was a farmer’s wife and she spent her days cooking, canning food and keeping house. My mom also occasionally wore an apron and, one Christmas, she made matching aprons for both me and my sister. That apron is one of my most cherished items… I think of her and miss her whenever I see that apron…
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I’m an apron lover. I use them and give them.
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I have an apron collection. My very first sewing project in 4-H 54 years age was an apron. I love to make aprons for family and friends. thanks.
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I LOVE aprons, and I make them regularly. My daughter has worked at Starbucks for years and wears the green apron every day. She loves (off duty) aprons in any color but green! She has her favorite (vintage) pattern, and I make them for her in different fabrics (along with matching potholders/placemats). Some new apron ideas are always fun. My grandmothers also wore aprons and made me aprons when I was a child–such memories.
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I would love to make some aprons, and to win one would be super!
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I have fond memories of my grandmother always wearing her apron. I have “making aprons” on my list of projects and this gives me more incentive to sew aprons and start a new and wonderful tradition. Thanks for the opportunity to join this community of apron wearers and sewers.
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One year for Valentine’s day,. my mom, my older sister, and I each received a matching (except for size) red cotton organdy apron trimmed in white lace. That was close to 60 years ago, and I still have mine, which I confess, was never actually worn. But I still think it is one of the prettiest confections ever!
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I remember my grandma wearing a apron. I only started wearing them about 15 years ago mostly because I enjoy making them. All my daughters get together before Christmas to bake cookies and they all wear one of my many aprons!
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I first started wearing aprons around 2005 when I began joining online apron swaps and eventually coordinated over 20 swaps with hundreds of aprons hand made and sent around the world. I got to know Ellynanne through those swaps and just love her heart. I would very much enjoy winning your gift basked. And goodies from Bernina — wonderful!!
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I can still picture my Grandmother in her blue and white apron fussing about the kitchen on holidays. She’s been gone 20 years this year I I still miss her. Thanks for reminding me. I wear my own aprons these days, but because I’m messy in the kitchen. Mine is laminated cotton one one side to keep my front dry.
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I love to find old tablecloths with vintage designs to cut up and make aprons. In a former job as an activity director in a nursing home, I made/wore aprons with a various holiday or seasonal themes. They were also ‘reality orientation’ for those with memory loss. Great memories!
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My favorite apron story is that my mother and I had matching aprons when I was a small child! Those aprons were red checks with a pocket and had loads of rick rack. They were my favorite, and I loved learning to cook alongside my mother in our matching aprons!
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Just wrapped up my loaf of bread, ready to give tomorrow along with the apron I made. (Have to give it tomorrow because I’m traveling on Wed.) I made Nancy Zieman’s A to Z bread and it smells delicious! I’m taking the other loaf to Charity Bee tomorrow to thank the ladies for their hard work all year long.
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I have always loved and worn aprons. When my sons were small, I made them each an apron to wear when they helped me with baking. I embroidered their initial on the bib. My sons are now adults and don’t help with baking any more. HMM – I wonder if they’d help out again if I made them new aprons. An idea for a Christmas gift!