Though Elaine Richie has vivid memories of her mother and grandmother wearing aprons while cooking, she didn't start wearing one until four years ago when she began designing and sewing them for friends and family.

Today it's a small-scale business, Pearls and Pot Pies, operated out of her home.

A mortgage broker by day and seamstress by night, Mrs. Richie, 58, said creating couture aprons has become a passion. She sells them at festivals and Chattanooga Market, and she soon hopes to cultivate online sales as well.

"The real drive behind designing couture aprons -- that's what I call them because I only make one of each -- is because I love doing it and seeing the faces of customers when they see them," she said.

While Ms. Richie's aprons are appropriate wear for frying chicken and baking biscuits, they're also cleverly constructed in designer fabrics to wear while entertaining guests at a dinner or cocktail party.

"My aprons range from practical to fun to chic to flirty," she said, noting her holiday aprons, made from Christmas-themed fabrics, are popular this time of year.

"You really get two aprons in one because each apron is reversible," she said. "And each apron, whether it is a bib or half apron, has pockets on both sides. You can cook while wearing the apron on one side, turn it around to the other side to serve cocktails and dinner."

Paulette Tindell of Chattanooga said she never cooks without wearing an apron.

"I've got aprons that were given to me as wedding presents, and I've been married 36 years," she said. "I've got some that belonged to my mother. I consider these aprons heirlooms, so I don't wear them.

"The aprons I get from Elaine are ideal. She made a terrycloth one that is my favorite one to cook in. But when I have guests, and I entertain often, I wear the bib-style aprons that I had Elaine make to match my outfits. I leave the apron on the entire evening because I'm constantly in and out of the kitchen."

Ms. Richie she is seeing an increased interest in aprons.

"People aren't getting out as much these days, and they're eating and entertaining at home," she said. "Aprons are practical, yet they can be an attractive fashion accessory when entertaining."

Because of the down economy, Mrs. Richie recently lowered the price of aprons. They range in cost from $30 to $60, and one size fits all. The sashes are made extra long to accommodate all waist sizes.

The rediscovery of the apron is catapulting an interest in vintage aprons as well. More than 2,300 vintage aprons are for sale on eBay.com.