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Although taken for granted by many social and art historians, the apron is the subject of a fascinating re-evaluation in this exhibition. Using aprons dating from the late 1930s through the present the exhibition chronicles changing attitudes toward women and domestic work. It also surveys the wide range of design and craft techniques apron-makers have used to express themselves, while still working within creative venues traditionally available to women. Elaborately embroidered aprons of delicate cotton, for example, were worn by well-heeled women of the 1920s. In contrast, the Depression and war years of the 1930s and 1940s inspired sturdy, calico bib aprons. The post-war 1940s and 1950s—the June Cleaver era—stand out as the acknowledged heyday of the apron, when commercial and intricately hand-decorated aprons flourished as symbols of family and motherhood. Today, artists continue using aprons to explore cultural myths and realities as well as their individual experiences with American domesticity.

Apron Strings is organized into several thematic groups addressing design, historical context, use, and cultural message. This exhibition serves as an excellent tool to bring together the diverse parts of the community through shared experiences with, and memories of a common, everyday textile. Apron Strings offers numerous educational programming opportunities and includes an on-site "try-on" collection.