Apron Story: "My Bunny Apron"
- Kristopher Lange
- Jan 4
- 3 min read
It is amazing how many of our life stories revolve around Aprons. The same is true for all textile arts, whether quilts, clothes, tablecloths, or other accessories. We surround our lives with fabrics that become witnesses to our lives. Altogether, we find that Aprons hold a special place in the fabric of our lives. Today, we will tell you about one special Apron Story: My Bunny Apron Story.
Many of you read about this apron in the museum's recent article in The New York Times. That article used the story of the Bunny Apron in its opening paragraph:
One July day in 2011, the Apron Museum in Iuka, Miss., received a small bib apron shaped like a rabbit, its frame embroidered with front paws mischievously digging into two sewn-on pockets. The apron arrived with a typed letter from its 81-year-old owner, Nelda Young, who lived in Jacksonville, Fla. Ms. Young’s aunt had made the apron for her in 1934, when Ms. Young was 4 and living in Kansas. For decades, she had kept it wrapped in tissue in a drawer.
Since the article we have had a lot of requests to see the Bunny Apron. Here is the full front of the Bunny Apron:
Maker: Mildred Byers Misak (Wakita, OK) 1913-2005 (link)
Name of Item: Bunny Apron
Year: 1934
Description: A child’s full body Apron made of cotton with a yellow bias trim and a embroidered bunny on the front with its hands inserted into raised pockets. Possibly from preprinted kit. It is held on by a button on each shoulder - button holes on shoulders.
Provenance: Gifted by Nelda Young of Jacksonville, Florida, July 12, 2011, along with a written letter. The apron was given to her at age four when living in McPherson, Kansas by her maternal aunt, Mildred Byers Misak, who was the maker. Neldon Young was living in Jacksonville, Florida when she made the donation at age 81.
Here is what the Apron would look like on the front of a child. That is, with the straps around the back of the child:
A closeup of the Bunny Apron:
Ms. Young included the following "My Bunny Apron Story" letter with her apron donation:
My Bunny Apron's story....
For decades the apron has lain in a drawer, wrapped in tissue. It was and is a treasure and for many years I had envisioned I would "do something" with it to assure its posterity. I simply could not think, after my demise, of it being tossed in some trash pile or carelessly used in some other irreverent manner.
And then, like a miracle, the article about Terry's Apron Museum appeared in the July 3-9 (2011) issue of The American Patriot (read: Profile). After reading the article I knew then that I had my answer for a new and caring home for my apron.
The Bunny Apron was made for me in 1934 by my maternal aunt, Mildred Byers Misak, who resided in Wakita, Oklahoma. I was four years old at the time and lived with my parents in McPherson, Kansas. I am presently 81 years old and reside in Jacksonville, Florida. I am the mother of four, grandmother of seven and I have six great-grandchildren. Sadly, no one wanted to give my Bunny Apron a home. The apron and I are so happy that Terry is accepting this responsibility. And we thank her!
Nelda Young
Ms. Young references the article in American Profile which was is now defunct. But the YouTube video still persists that American Profile produced along with the article. Here's that YouTube video that Ms Young may have also seen:
Ms Young also sent along this email after receiving a thank you note from The Apron Museum:
Share Ms Young's Apron Story about her Bunny Apron and help others join Ms Young's passion that "all Apron lovers in the world will join me in saying a huge THANKS for all The Apron Museum does" for this artform.
And we say "Thank you" to those who are donating their stories and Aprons. We have had a few donate money but it isn't enough for all the Aprons coming in.
🙏Please help us however you can. You can help by shopping our museum store, visiting the museum (online or in Mississippi), or sending a few dollars so we can tell more stories like this one!
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