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Apron opinions?

Morris

Premium Member
What apron do non-officer people wear who attend functions outside the lodge? I have a blue trim one for when we do a Memorial Day function (for example).
 

Levelhead

Premium Member
Ive never attended a function outside of the lodge that would require me to wear an apron.

Do you mean parades? If so im guessing with permission of the Grand Lodge members will wear i guess the old worn out ones in the box by the tilers station. Unless your a PM os someone who purchased a personal one.
 

Brother JC

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
"Personal apron" doesn't have to mean "fancy." As I mentioned before, I prefer a plain white apron, but a NICE plain white apron. Luther has ones just like I was presented (leather, long cord ties with tassels), that will serve you both here and abroad. If you travel overseas you really need to have your own.
As for the "fancy" ones, I know we all have a painting of Brother George in a personalized apron somewhere in our lodge.
 

Morris

Premium Member
No parade. More of a lay a wreath type ceremony.

Point the same though, you're probably right that most probably just wear the cloth ones from lodge in either case.
 

Levelhead

Premium Member
Ours are pretty run down! Lol i need to pull up the pic of the one i had on the day i got raised! Looks prettttty shabby! Lol.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
"Personal apron" doesn't have to mean "fancy." As I mentioned before, I prefer a plain white apron, but a NICE plain white apron. Luther has ones just like I was presented (leather, long cord ties with tassels), that will serve you both here and abroad. If you travel overseas you really need to have your own.
As for the "fancy" ones, I know we all have a painting of Brother George in a personalized apron somewhere in our lodge.
Makes sense, I am going to look in to getting a plain white personal apron.
 

dfreybur

Premium Member
Other than parades I've never been to a non-tiled events where regalia is permitted. Getting dispensation each year to march in a 4th of July parade is a fun tradition in one of my lodges. Other than that I've been in one parade march when a lodge in our district closed their old building and marched to their new one. They've since moved again but that one wasn't walking distance.
 

Illuminatio

Premium Member
I am very excited to share that my apron was delivered today and it is just as perfect as I had hoped!

For me, during my initiation, one of the most impactful parts was the presentation of the apron and the accompanying lecture. The symbolism is so straightforward and key to everything - "purity of life and rectitude of conduct." With that in mind, I wanted something pure white, and actual lamb skin, just as the lecture had described.

But, I had also wanted some way to personalize and make this apron mine. Something to make it special for me, and possibly for my son later on. That's where Brother Craddock's amazing craftsmanship came into play. After speaking with him through email and over the phone, we arrived at some of his artwork that I felt I had a connection with and that meant something to me. I also wanted to include my dates and lodge information though, not only for myself for always remembering those special nights, but again, also for my family later on, when they might come across these things generations down the line. He took this information and came up with a design that was exactly what I was looking for even though I didn't know exactly what I wanted.

I honestly can't say enough about how great and how easy it was to work with Brother Patrick Craddock. He is truly a gifted craftsman, and I feel fortunate to have a piece of what this fine Brother does to call my own. I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to recommend for anyone to look him up when it comes to a truly special apron. His work can be found at http://www.craftsmansapron.com.

Images attached!

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MaineMason

Registered User
Ive never attended a function outside of the lodge that would require me to wear an apron.

Do you mean parades? If so im guessing with permission of the Grand Lodge members will wear i guess the old worn out ones in the box by the tilers station. Unless your a PM os someone who purchased a personal one.
Funerals. At least at our lodge, we open the lodge, officers in regalia and others in white aprons, suspend business and then proceed to the church or funeral home, then return to the lodge and close. I have attended several funerals as an officer in full regalia. Otherwise, as you say, besides parades, or the laying of a cornerstone for a lodge or other public building, I can't imagine where else we'd appear in public in an apron or wearing an officer's jewel.
 

hanzosbm

Premium Member
Brother ShawnC, that is indeed a beautiful apron and you ought to be proud.

I looked into getting a personalized apron as a new Mason and was advised :):cough, cough, told::) not to do so as it would cause a distinction between myself and other brothers. The idea was that while I might have the means to buy myself a nice apron, not all brothers are able and if it became the norm to wear personalized aprons, those who couldn't afford it would stand out.
Now...that being said, I'm not sure I completely agree with that, especially when those other brothers are dripping with Masonic gold rings, pins, tie clips, etc, but it did make me stop and think.
Along those lines, as well as in reference to practices of the past, has anyone ever decorated their apron themselves? I'm not a great artist, but I think given enough time and patience I could put together something decent that would give it the individualized feeling without much additional cost. Just curious if any have tried.
 

Browncoat

Registered User
A lot of this sounds familiar. Local legend trumps real tradition.

In Ohio, we get our apron after the MM proficiency...well, at least at my lodge. I was presented my Bible after being raised (along with a few other goodies from my Brothers), but the apron was saved until last. It's a beautiful, white lambskin apron with long braided cords. Unfortunately, the next time I wear it, I'll be dead. Seems like a waste of money, considering I paid for the thing w/ the initiation fee.

I've considered bucking this tradition and wearing it to lodge, but I'm certain there would be at least a few heart attacks and possibly a revolt. I would much rather my apron be used and perhaps earn a few battle scars as evidence of my toils in the quarry, as opposed to just having a shiny white apron to be buried with. Some of the guys have PM aprons that they travel with, but everyone in my lodge just wears the crappy tyler's station aprons for meetings around here.

For me, it's not a matter of being better than anyone else or standing out. It's personal pride.
 

marty15chris

Premium Member
I agree with brown coat. Your apron is your own personal choice. I happen to have a very nice custom lambskin apron. Yes there may always be a brother that is jealous of you for it. But remember it is how you wear the apron that matters. Do I flaunt my custom apron and show it off? No of course not. I put it one and go to work. If a brother happens to notice it I tell him where he can order one and yes if asked I will tell them how much it costs but I never focus on the price but point out what it means to me to have it.
 

Rifleman1776

Registered User
A lot of this sounds familiar. Local legend trumps real tradition.

In Ohio, we get our apron after the MM proficiency...well, at least at my lodge. I was presented my Bible after being raised (along with a few other goodies from my Brothers), but the apron was saved until last. It's a beautiful, white lambskin apron with long braided cords. Unfortunately, the next time I wear it, I'll be dead. Seems like a waste of money, considering I paid for the thing w/ the initiation fee.

I've considered bucking this tradition and wearing it to lodge, but I'm certain there would be at least a few heart attacks and possibly a revolt. I would much rather my apron be used and perhaps earn a few battle scars as evidence of my toils in the quarry, as opposed to just having a shiny white apron to be buried with. Some of the guys have PM aprons that they travel with, but everyone in my lodge just wears the crappy tyler's station aprons for meetings around here.

For me, it's not a matter of being better than anyone else or standing out. It's personal pride.
It is your apron. Wear to Lodge if you wish. The ones provided are for convenience, not a requirement.
 

Psalm 133

Registered User
There's nothing wrong with putting a little bit of flair or individuality into your own personal apron. We already put so much detail into our choice of rings and lapel pins, why not make our aprons interesting too!
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
There's nothing wrong with putting a little bit of flair or individuality into your own personal apron. We already put so much detail into our choice of rings and lapel pins, why not make our aprons interesting too!
Depending on the lodge and jurisdiction. Some jurisdictions very much regulate the apron.
 

Canadian Paul

Registered User
There are two jurisdictions here. The GL of Newfoundland and Labrador was formed in 1998 from all of the lodges formally under the UGLE and 5 under the GL of Scotland. Those formally under the UGLE wear aprons edged in light blue. Those formally under the GL of Scotland retain their 'Scottish' aprons, as do, of course the 11 lodges still holding of the GL of Scotland and forming the District Grand Lodge of NL. Scottish aprons are particularly distinct; they have semi-circular flaps, are worn inside the open jacket, and have edgings of a colour (or even a tartan) distinctive of the individual lodge. My Mother Lodge, and at least one other Scottish lodge here, has dark blue edging with gold fringe, several other lodges have red or claret edgings. Our District Grand Lodge Office-bearers, like our Grand Lodge in Scotland, wear aprons edged in 'thistle green' and a green sash or baldrick, from the right shoulder to the left hip. A Lodge meeting, especially an Installation, which would have Delegations from both the Scottish DGL and the GLNL, as well as brethren from various lodges under both jurisdictions, is a very 'colourful' occasion!

The custom in both jurisdictions is for EAs and FCs to use plain aprons belonging to the Lodge. MMs are expected to buy their own aprons, although lodges will have a few available for new MMs or visitors. Past Masters are expected to buy their own Past Masters' aprons. As a Past Master in Lodges under both jurisdictions I have 4 aprons; a MM apron for my Mother Lodge and one suitable for 'former English Lodges', and a Past Master's apron for each jurisdiction!

I shall try to post pictures of the different aprons I have mentioned. They may be of interest to some of you as I think what I have described above is a LITTLE different from the way things are done in some US jurisdictions!
 

hanzosbm

Premium Member
There are two jurisdictions here. The GL of Newfoundland and Labrador was formed in 1998 from all of the lodges formally under the UGLE and 5 under the GL of Scotland. Those formally under the UGLE wear aprons edged in light blue. Those formally under the GL of Scotland retain their 'Scottish' aprons, as do, of course the 11 lodges still holding of the GL of Scotland and forming the District Grand Lodge of NL. Scottish aprons are particularly distinct; they have semi-circular flaps, are worn inside the open jacket, and have edgings of a colour (or even a tartan) distinctive of the individual lodge. My Mother Lodge, and at least one other Scottish lodge here, has dark blue edging with gold fringe, several other lodges have red or claret edgings. Our District Grand Lodge Office-bearers, like our Grand Lodge in Scotland, wear aprons edged in 'thistle green' and a green sash or baldrick, from the right shoulder to the left hip. A Lodge meeting, especially an Installation, which would have Delegations from both the Scottish DGL and the GLNL, as well as brethren from various lodges under both jurisdictions, is a very 'colourful' occasion!

The custom in both jurisdictions is for EAs and FCs to use plain aprons belonging to the Lodge. MMs are expected to buy their own aprons, although lodges will have a few available for new MMs or visitors. Past Masters are expected to buy their own Past Masters' aprons. As a Past Master in Lodges under both jurisdictions I have 4 aprons; a MM apron for my Mother Lodge and one suitable for 'former English Lodges', and a Past Master's apron for each jurisdiction!

I shall try to post pictures of the different aprons I have mentioned. They may be of interest to some of you as I think what I have described above is a LITTLE different from the way things are done in some US jurisdictions!
Very interesting, brother!

I would love to see these aprons, the variety must be a thing to see.
 
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