OK, so I’ll admit it, I’ve got Aprons on the brain…
Masonic Aprons run the gamut from rounded to square, from ornate pieces of art to plain white Lambskin. Antiques to new creations.
What do you like?
What have you worn with pride?
Do you have a favorite maker?
Is there an Apron design you would like to own in the future?
What provision have you made for your Aprons after you have passed? Related to that, have you visited the beautiful Apron Memorial in Grand Mound Washington?
I’ve worn each of the different aprons, as I progressed through the line, with pride. I think the proudest I’ve ever been was when I was given my plain white apron in my initiation. Although trying to keep the flap up was sometimes trying, I was proud to have become a Mason. As RW Cameron discussed in his Saturday topic of money, I feel that when a newly initiated Brother is given his apron, it should be lamb skin and come in a case. A brother should wear his lamb skin apron to lodge, not keep it tucked away, only to be brought out again at the Brother’s funeral, if it can be found. Although I am still the Master of my lodge, I recently received my PM apron due in part to the logistics of living a fair distance from the jurisdiction now. When the apron arrived, I was at first very exited to have received it, having completed two years as the pandemic Master, but now I find myself just wanting to wear my plain white apron with the pride I had when I was first made a Mason.
I don't think that I've ever worn the apron I was initiated in, other than when I received my degrees. It was one of the plastic ones. My wife knows where it is, in case I croak, but I've often wondered if it is the right one to be buried in. I wonder if it wouldn't be more appropriate to be buried in one that I wore while actually working in the Lodge.
I did order an apron of my own right after I was initiated. It has the Square and Compass, plus an all seeing eye on the flap, but it is white on white, so one has to look very carefully to see the embroidered design. It's very good quality, and I wore it for a very long time.
My Lodge doesn't have a tradition of gifting Past Master's aprons, so I bought my own when I left the east. It is quite superb, sky blue and white, with copious use of silver bullion thread. The thing was, it is an antique, made during the height of the Great Depression. It is spectacular, but I've only worn it once or twice, for I moved straight out of the East into the DDGM position.
I gave up that DDGM apron, and received the JGW apron a couple hours later, so I never have actually owned a Past DDGM apron.
Currently of course I've got our DGM apron, which I find rather interesting because the DGM wears the traditional Master's emblem. The GM wears something else entirely. I've only been able to wear it twice, once when I was installed, and once when it was necessary to open Chehalis Lodge for some emergent and extremely significant business.
I did purchase an almost completely plain white apron to wear in the future. It has a very small emblem on the flap, but other than that is just plain white lambskin. It is quite beautiful, but the leather is so thick, and it is so well made that I'm not sure how I'll actually be able to sit down until it is broken in!
Whatever I end up getting buried in, the rest will end up going to the Apron Memorial in Grand Mound. There is nothing sadder in my opinion than seeing Aprons in junk stores, and I think that MW Sam's idea to create the memorial was superb. It was finished in MW Kendall's year, all through the design of Brother Bruce Robinson. It is quite a wonderful space, and I hope that all Washington Freemasons will take advantage of the opportunity to have their Aprons deposited there upon their passing.
I'll be back with some more thoughts later, but before then I wanted to mention that we talked about Lodge loaner aprons on our Emeth zoom gathering last night. Specifically, replacing them with the temporary disposable paper aprons sometimes used at large events for folks who forget their own.
It seems to me that a Lodge providing those instead of cloth loaner aprons would have at least two advantages: 1. They would undoubtedly be more sanitary. 2. They would certainly encourage people to bring their own aprons with them to Lodge. It is hard to see any downside.
I do agree that the plain cotton loaner aprons are an eyesore, but it's understandable if brothers don't want to wear their presented lambskin or white leather apron. They place such a high value on it, and that they want to keep it spotless. I had mentioned previously, mine is safely tucked away in my safe, I think I've only worn it a few times, for masonic funerals. I had bought online a traveling apron, white with blue edging and the S&C in the middle. It has since been replaced with a rather pretentious but beautiful PM apron that my lodge (the SW) bought for me).
I've told my daughter what to do when I pass, and I gave her my safe combination. I really should put it in writing though.
I am completely against the ban on apron sizes or designs. I know, every year the brothers keep voting resolutions being presented that allow for the rounded corner (old time) designs. I think it's a great idea that one lodge in particular wants to hold a once a year period meeting where everyone wears clothing more appropriate to the oldie times, including historical representative aprons. I honestly don't see the harm in it, and actually love the fact that someone wants to honor their history and the history of the fraternity. There are too many people resistant to change.
I agree with you about the codified size and shape. It makes no sense to me that we would not allow Brothers to wear rounded aprons. It seems reasonable to me that the trim colors be different between Lodge aprons and Grand Lodge aprons, but beyond that I just don't see the sense in mandating what can and what can't be worn.
I have heard it argued by those who vote to disallow the rounded aprons that rounded aprons are somehow 'European' and square aprons are 'American.'
It is an interesting argument, and it seems to convince the majority of our members, but it isn't true.
Rounded aprons were a regular part of United States Freemasonry for a very long time. As evidenced by the rounded apron owned by George Washington that is pictured as a part of this post.
The reason square aprons became the norm was because when built with industrial methods, they resulted in less waste and correspondingly more profit for the manufacturers.
Today we have Masonic artists creating truly wonderful aprons through painting, printing, and embroidery. It would be nice to see Washington Freemasons being able to wear those works of art. Perhaps someday.
The past 3 years we have tried to hold a White Apron night. 2019, snowed out meeting and now 2020 and 2021 we have the Pandemic. I'm going to move it to later in the year.
I will still wear my Lambskin apron for events other then funerals.
I don't feel that a little dirt on the apron is a bad thing. After all we are Craftsmen.
I like the white apron night idea. I don't think I've ever heard of a Lodge doing that, but I can see where it would be very cool!
I never had trouble keeping the white apron I purchased clean, and I wore it regularly for a long time. What happened though is that the material that the belt is made out of is some sort of synthetic, and it has yellowed badly with age.
OK, I will start with the obvious in the most friendly manner, If as you say, "I’ve got Aprons on the brain", you might consider Brother that you might be wearing it wrong. LOL.
My White apron shares my apron case with my Past Master's apron. Both have a special meaning to me. One reminds me of whence I came and the the other reminds me of how far I've gone on my Masonic journey.
The Apron Lecture clearly states three times that the white Apron should be worn.
1) "it is hoped that you wear this emblem with equal pleasure to yourself and honor to the Fraternity."
2) "cry it t the SW i t W wh wl tc y hw t wr it as an EAM" ( we are all EAM's)
3) "In ts mnr y wr wr yrs as an EAM"
I have therefore never understood the concept of stashing it away in a closet somewhere. Since being installed as Secretary of Lodges 13 times since August 13, 2013 my white apron has a couple of ink marks on it. I wear both aprons with equal pleasure to myself and honor to the Fraternity.
Alas though, on a serious note, I believe that it was the Rainbow Girls who decades ago used to wear very small aprons as bracelets. That was I think a neat old custom that seems to have faded away.
I joined in 1982 and was given a real leather apron. I became WM of my original lodge in 1989 and was gifted a simple PM’s apron and a simple case. Since that period I’ve kept both of my aprons in that flat case and I wear my first apron at funerals because we are supposed to wear plain white aprons. I love it because it has my dates written in ink inside the flap, so I know the exact dates I received my degrees. It’s very special to me.
As to the proscription from WA Grand Lodge about different types of aprons, I don’t like it. I have seen some beautiful rounded aprons and from my own research, many aprons of the past were beautifully decorated.
I’ve noticed many PM aprons are quite ostentatious and in comparison, my plain PM apron is very simple, but it still conveys the same message, only in a more humble manner. I served twice as WM and enjoyed the experience, so I am very proud of that apron. I haven’t upgraded and I probably never will. I knew my ritual and performed over 30 degrees as Master during my two terms. Let’s just say that I’ve had a lot of fun and great memories in the Oriental chair and elsewhere in the lodge, including the piano bench and I think I’d like to stay there for much of the rest of my Masonic life.
I agree with you about apron prohibitions. I don't think that these rules make any sense, and beyond that, I can't fathom why anyone thinks that the Grand Lodge needs to be dictating down to such levels of detail. Of course that goes for a lot of things, in my view the Washington Masonic Code would be a much better document if it were cut in size by 75%.
That's neither here nor there though I guess, but to the point, yes, we are preventing Masons from wearing aprons that are truly works of art, without good cause, and that is sad.
That said, personally, for me, I'm not into such excessive decoration that the symbolism of the apron is lost. I've rather wondered, if we tell a candidate that a white lambskin is the badge of a Mason, why are some aprons so covered with velvet and metal that the white is barely visible at all.
So, I'm with you, as you describe your PM apron. Rather simple. That's what I personally prefer.
I didn't get an apron of my own when I was initiated. I was lent a vinyl one during the degree work but only for degrees, and I was lent a cloth apron for all lodge functions. I served two terms as treasurer and wore the keys and sat a couple times as senior deacon and wore the sun. Buying my own for myself seems cheesy like buying myself a graduation present. I would really like to start over as an EA in a better lodge.
Going back to an earlier thread regarding the similarities of masonry and karate, I see the masonic EA apron like a karate white belt. A new student receives a white belt and in the ancient tradition it is his sweat that stains it yellow, the dirt that stains it brown, and dried blood that turns it black. The belt is never washed and the kyodon's expertise is shown in the darkness of the stains. Likewise, I think a mason should wear his white apron in all his labors in his regular vocations, his service to God and distressed brethren, widows, and orphans, and the stains and wrinkles of age and use are a fitting badge of honor to be buried with knowing that those stains are not dark in the celestial lodge but glow with righteousness.
I know that a lot of Lodges keep the apron between the candidate's Degrees, then fill in the Degree information under the flap after the MM Degree before presenting it. I'm not sure why they don't leave it with the candidate between Degrees though, perhaps it is just one of those odd Lodge customs left from decades gone by.
Regardless of that though, it was certainly unacceptable that the Lodge did not provide you with the Apron you were initiated in.
Your perspective on the white apron growing colored with age is unique and interesting. Not one that I have heard before, but it certainly makes a lot of sense. I think that is one of the greatest things about Freemasonry. It is without dogma, and we are all perfectly free to interpret, and use, its symbolism as we feel most appropriate to our lives.
As Br. Dulaney mentioned, we are craftsmen. If the literal interpretation of the degrees is taken, of course the apron is to be worn for all its functional uses in the quarry, the building site, and the drafting room. It would get scratched, dusty, muddy, absorb sweat and blood, etc. It is silly really to expect a craftsmen to keep it locked away and pristine instead of using it for its intended purpose. Just as a naturally stained black belt is proof of the blood sweat and mud a warrior has struggled through to learn his skill, I would think an apron stained with ink from servicecasva secretary, syrup from working the kitchen for pancake breakfast as steward, oil from helping a widow fix her car, or whatever, should be seen by the brethren not as a tarnished soul, but that innocence of an entered apprentice is replaced by experience and compassion of a master.
My Lodge does have the tradition of gifting a Past Masters apron and I was lucky enough to pick out the one that I would wear with honor. The fact I visit multiple lodges I have on occasion left home without it, and without those loaner's or filling a vacant office I would have returned home with an empty feeling. The conversation has missed the "condition" of the loaner's as well as the lodge officers apron. If loaner's were really taken care of after each meeting cleaned and pressed they might not be the topic. The lodge officer's aprons need the same attention periodically. The white aprons we give to the EA are from Grand Lodge top quality?
You make an important point I think. If loaner aprons were kept in good condition, and replaced periodically, they would certainly look better.
I'm sorry, but I don't know how the quality of aprons that might be supplied by the Grand Lodge are. When I was Secretary of my Lodge we had a large supply of them, so I never had to order more from the GL or anywhere else.
My own white leather apron was purchased from a Brother who made them with his wife for a few years. Excellent quality, but I don't think he makes them any longer.
Excellent quality lambskin candidate aprons are made by The Craftsman's Apron. $114, including the Brother's name and Lodge under the flap. I own an apron from TCA, I can tell you that the lambskin is so thick, and the quality is so good, that one will have difficulty even sitting down before it gets broken in a touch. A common example of TCA craftsmanship is MW Coffman's ties, which were made by TCA.
I’ve worn each of the different aprons, as I progressed through the line, with pride. I think the proudest I’ve ever been was when I was given my plain white apron in my initiation. Although trying to keep the flap up was sometimes trying, I was proud to have become a Mason. As RW Cameron discussed in his Saturday topic of money, I feel that when a newly initiated Brother is given his apron, it should be lamb skin and come in a case. A brother should wear his lamb skin apron to lodge, not keep it tucked away, only to be brought out again at the Brother’s funeral, if it can be found. Although I am still the Master of my lodge, I recently received my PM apron due in part to the logistics of living a fair distance from the jurisdiction now. When the apron arrived, I was at first very exited to have received it, having completed two years as the pandemic Master, but now I find myself just wanting to wear my plain white apron with the pride I had when I was first made a Mason.
I don't think that I've ever worn the apron I was initiated in, other than when I received my degrees. It was one of the plastic ones. My wife knows where it is, in case I croak, but I've often wondered if it is the right one to be buried in. I wonder if it wouldn't be more appropriate to be buried in one that I wore while actually working in the Lodge.
I did order an apron of my own right after I was initiated. It has the Square and Compass, plus an all seeing eye on the flap, but it is white on white, so one has to look very carefully to see the embroidered design. It's very good quality, and I wore it for a very long time.
My Lodge doesn't have a tradition of gifting Past Master's aprons, so I bought my own when I left the east. It is quite superb, sky blue and white, with copious use of silver bullion thread. The thing was, it is an antique, made during the height of the Great Depression. It is spectacular, but I've only worn it once or twice, for I moved straight out of the East into the DDGM position.
I gave up that DDGM apron, and received the JGW apron a couple hours later, so I never have actually owned a Past DDGM apron.
Currently of course I've got our DGM apron, which I find rather interesting because the DGM wears the traditional Master's emblem. The GM wears something else entirely. I've only been able to wear it twice, once when I was installed, and once when it was necessary to open Chehalis Lodge for some emergent and extremely significant business.
I did purchase an almost completely plain white apron to wear in the future. It has a very small emblem on the flap, but other than that is just plain white lambskin. It is quite beautiful, but the leather is so thick, and it is so well made that I'm not sure how I'll actually be able to sit down until it is broken in!
Whatever I end up getting buried in, the rest will end up going to the Apron Memorial in Grand Mound. There is nothing sadder in my opinion than seeing Aprons in junk stores, and I think that MW Sam's idea to create the memorial was superb. It was finished in MW Kendall's year, all through the design of Brother Bruce Robinson. It is quite a wonderful space, and I hope that all Washington Freemasons will take advantage of the opportunity to have their Aprons deposited there upon their passing.
I'll be back with some more thoughts later, but before then I wanted to mention that we talked about Lodge loaner aprons on our Emeth zoom gathering last night. Specifically, replacing them with the temporary disposable paper aprons sometimes used at large events for folks who forget their own.
It seems to me that a Lodge providing those instead of cloth loaner aprons would have at least two advantages: 1. They would undoubtedly be more sanitary. 2. They would certainly encourage people to bring their own aprons with them to Lodge. It is hard to see any downside.
3. We don't have to run them thru the washing machine. 4. We don't have to wonder if someone's aim in the bathroom found an apron as a target.
Yep. I think that is the best plan!
I do agree that the plain cotton loaner aprons are an eyesore, but it's understandable if brothers don't want to wear their presented lambskin or white leather apron. They place such a high value on it, and that they want to keep it spotless. I had mentioned previously, mine is safely tucked away in my safe, I think I've only worn it a few times, for masonic funerals. I had bought online a traveling apron, white with blue edging and the S&C in the middle. It has since been replaced with a rather pretentious but beautiful PM apron that my lodge (the SW) bought for me).
I've told my daughter what to do when I pass, and I gave her my safe combination. I really should put it in writing though.
I am completely against the ban on apron sizes or designs. I know, every year the brothers keep voting resolutions being presented that allow for the rounded corner (old time) designs. I think it's a great idea that one lodge in particular wants to hold a once a year period meeting where everyone wears clothing more appropriate to the oldie times, including historical representative aprons. I honestly don't see the harm in it, and actually love the fact that someone wants to honor their history and the history of the fraternity. There are too many people resistant to change.
I agree with you about the codified size and shape. It makes no sense to me that we would not allow Brothers to wear rounded aprons. It seems reasonable to me that the trim colors be different between Lodge aprons and Grand Lodge aprons, but beyond that I just don't see the sense in mandating what can and what can't be worn.
I have heard it argued by those who vote to disallow the rounded aprons that rounded aprons are somehow 'European' and square aprons are 'American.'
It is an interesting argument, and it seems to convince the majority of our members, but it isn't true.
Rounded aprons were a regular part of United States Freemasonry for a very long time. As evidenced by the rounded apron owned by George Washington that is pictured as a part of this post.
The reason square aprons became the norm was because when built with industrial methods, they resulted in less waste and correspondingly more profit for the manufacturers.
Today we have Masonic artists creating truly wonderful aprons through painting, printing, and embroidery. It would be nice to see Washington Freemasons being able to wear those works of art. Perhaps someday.
A Brother sent me the following poem appropriate to this post:
The Lambskin by Edgar Guest:
https://www.masonic-lodge-of-education.com/the-lambskin.html
While looking for a web based version of it, I ran across:
The Lambskin by DL Clements
https://theeducator.ca/the-lambskin-apron-poem/
The past 3 years we have tried to hold a White Apron night. 2019, snowed out meeting and now 2020 and 2021 we have the Pandemic. I'm going to move it to later in the year.
I will still wear my Lambskin apron for events other then funerals.
I don't feel that a little dirt on the apron is a bad thing. After all we are Craftsmen.
I like the white apron night idea. I don't think I've ever heard of a Lodge doing that, but I can see where it would be very cool!
I never had trouble keeping the white apron I purchased clean, and I wore it regularly for a long time. What happened though is that the material that the belt is made out of is some sort of synthetic, and it has yellowed badly with age.
OK, I will start with the obvious in the most friendly manner, If as you say, "I’ve got Aprons on the brain", you might consider Brother that you might be wearing it wrong. LOL.
My White apron shares my apron case with my Past Master's apron. Both have a special meaning to me. One reminds me of whence I came and the the other reminds me of how far I've gone on my Masonic journey.
The Apron Lecture clearly states three times that the white Apron should be worn.
1) "it is hoped that you wear this emblem with equal pleasure to yourself and honor to the Fraternity."
2) "cry it t the SW i t W wh wl tc y hw t wr it as an EAM" ( we are all EAM's)
3) "In ts mnr y wr wr yrs as an EAM"
I have therefore never understood the concept of stashing it away in a closet somewhere. Since being installed as Secretary of Lodges 13 times since August 13, 2013 my white apron has a couple of ink marks on it. I wear both aprons with equal pleasure to myself and honor to the Fraternity.
OK, I'll stop trying to wear my apron on my head!
Alas though, on a serious note, I believe that it was the Rainbow Girls who decades ago used to wear very small aprons as bracelets. That was I think a neat old custom that seems to have faded away.
I like the idea of the small aprons as bracelets for the Rainbow girls. Alas, though, change happens and thankfully it changes very slowly.
If you want to see one, there are a few in a box in Centralia Lodge's office, in the bookcase.
I joined in 1982 and was given a real leather apron. I became WM of my original lodge in 1989 and was gifted a simple PM’s apron and a simple case. Since that period I’ve kept both of my aprons in that flat case and I wear my first apron at funerals because we are supposed to wear plain white aprons. I love it because it has my dates written in ink inside the flap, so I know the exact dates I received my degrees. It’s very special to me.
As to the proscription from WA Grand Lodge about different types of aprons, I don’t like it. I have seen some beautiful rounded aprons and from my own research, many aprons of the past were beautifully decorated.
I’ve noticed many PM aprons are quite ostentatious and in comparison, my plain PM apron is very simple, but it still conveys the same message, only in a more humble manner. I served twice as WM and enjoyed the experience, so I am very proud of that apron. I haven’t upgraded and I probably never will. I knew my ritual and performed over 30 degrees as Master during my two terms. Let’s just say that I’ve had a lot of fun and great memories in the Oriental chair and elsewhere in the lodge, including the piano bench and I think I’d like to stay there for much of the rest of my Masonic life.
I am of two minds when it comes to aprons.
I agree with you about apron prohibitions. I don't think that these rules make any sense, and beyond that, I can't fathom why anyone thinks that the Grand Lodge needs to be dictating down to such levels of detail. Of course that goes for a lot of things, in my view the Washington Masonic Code would be a much better document if it were cut in size by 75%.
That's neither here nor there though I guess, but to the point, yes, we are preventing Masons from wearing aprons that are truly works of art, without good cause, and that is sad.
That said, personally, for me, I'm not into such excessive decoration that the symbolism of the apron is lost. I've rather wondered, if we tell a candidate that a white lambskin is the badge of a Mason, why are some aprons so covered with velvet and metal that the white is barely visible at all.
So, I'm with you, as you describe your PM apron. Rather simple. That's what I personally prefer.
I didn't get an apron of my own when I was initiated. I was lent a vinyl one during the degree work but only for degrees, and I was lent a cloth apron for all lodge functions. I served two terms as treasurer and wore the keys and sat a couple times as senior deacon and wore the sun. Buying my own for myself seems cheesy like buying myself a graduation present. I would really like to start over as an EA in a better lodge.
Going back to an earlier thread regarding the similarities of masonry and karate, I see the masonic EA apron like a karate white belt. A new student receives a white belt and in the ancient tradition it is his sweat that stains it yellow, the dirt that stains it brown, and dried blood that turns it black. The belt is never washed and the kyodon's expertise is shown in the darkness of the stains. Likewise, I think a mason should wear his white apron in all his labors in his regular vocations, his service to God and distressed brethren, widows, and orphans, and the stains and wrinkles of age and use are a fitting badge of honor to be buried with knowing that those stains are not dark in the celestial lodge but glow with righteousness.
I know that a lot of Lodges keep the apron between the candidate's Degrees, then fill in the Degree information under the flap after the MM Degree before presenting it. I'm not sure why they don't leave it with the candidate between Degrees though, perhaps it is just one of those odd Lodge customs left from decades gone by.
Regardless of that though, it was certainly unacceptable that the Lodge did not provide you with the Apron you were initiated in.
Your perspective on the white apron growing colored with age is unique and interesting. Not one that I have heard before, but it certainly makes a lot of sense. I think that is one of the greatest things about Freemasonry. It is without dogma, and we are all perfectly free to interpret, and use, its symbolism as we feel most appropriate to our lives.
As Br. Dulaney mentioned, we are craftsmen. If the literal interpretation of the degrees is taken, of course the apron is to be worn for all its functional uses in the quarry, the building site, and the drafting room. It would get scratched, dusty, muddy, absorb sweat and blood, etc. It is silly really to expect a craftsmen to keep it locked away and pristine instead of using it for its intended purpose. Just as a naturally stained black belt is proof of the blood sweat and mud a warrior has struggled through to learn his skill, I would think an apron stained with ink from servicecasva secretary, syrup from working the kitchen for pancake breakfast as steward, oil from helping a widow fix her car, or whatever, should be seen by the brethren not as a tarnished soul, but that innocence of an entered apprentice is replaced by experience and compassion of a master.
This makes sense, and I thank you very much for adding it here. It gives us all something to ponder.
My Lodge does have the tradition of gifting a Past Masters apron and I was lucky enough to pick out the one that I would wear with honor. The fact I visit multiple lodges I have on occasion left home without it, and without those loaner's or filling a vacant office I would have returned home with an empty feeling. The conversation has missed the "condition" of the loaner's as well as the lodge officers apron. If loaner's were really taken care of after each meeting cleaned and pressed they might not be the topic. The lodge officer's aprons need the same attention periodically. The white aprons we give to the EA are from Grand Lodge top quality?
You make an important point I think. If loaner aprons were kept in good condition, and replaced periodically, they would certainly look better.
I'm sorry, but I don't know how the quality of aprons that might be supplied by the Grand Lodge are. When I was Secretary of my Lodge we had a large supply of them, so I never had to order more from the GL or anywhere else.
My own white leather apron was purchased from a Brother who made them with his wife for a few years. Excellent quality, but I don't think he makes them any longer.
Excellent quality lambskin candidate aprons are made by The Craftsman's Apron. $114, including the Brother's name and Lodge under the flap. I own an apron from TCA, I can tell you that the lambskin is so thick, and the quality is so good, that one will have difficulty even sitting down before it gets broken in a touch. A common example of TCA craftsmanship is MW Coffman's ties, which were made by TCA.
https://www.craftsmansapron.com/collections/painted-aprons/products/square-lambskin-master-mason-apron